I'm looking for a powder to replace Unique for my target-strength 10mm loads. I like that I can also use Unique for 9pm and .45ACP, but it just doesn't meter. So I'm looking at Universal and 231 as alternatives for 10pm target loads. Which one meters better in a progressive powder measure? (I have a Hornady.) Or is there another powder I should consider?
Which all-purpose powder meters better? Universal or 231?
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john16443
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I've not heard of any metering issues with either one in any powder dispensing equipment. Between the 2 you mention, W231/HP38 would be more economical, and is known to work well in 9mm and 45ACP. While I'm still experimenting with other powders to get a feel for what works best for my purposes, it's becoming increasingly clear that W231 will become my powder of choice for 9mm and 45ACP in the near future.
sellersm
Member
Win231. I don't believe Unique is a 'ball' powder....?
Universal meters better for me than Unique, although Unique meters well enough, and W-231 meters even better than Universal.
Going by how well Universal has worked for me in .40 over a wide pressure range, I would be inclined to try it first, but W-231 is a great powder and will probably work just fine as well for target strength 10MM loads.
Going by how well Universal has worked for me in .40 over a wide pressure range, I would be inclined to try it first, but W-231 is a great powder and will probably work just fine as well for target strength 10MM loads.
SASS#23149
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A lot of powders will meter better if you give the hopper a little double tap in between dumps.Light knuckle raps will suffice.I do this with Unuqie and it settles right down and behaves its' self.Doubt it helps much with stick powders tho.
In answer to the question,my vote is 231
In answer to the question,my vote is 231
rikman
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I switched to Win231 for my 45acp on my dilon 550b because Unique didn't meter well,which is to be expected being a flake powder vs ball.
Deavis
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For 10mm, Power Pistol and True Blue output in excellent target loads and both meter like a dream. I would choose either of them over Universal or 231 and you are only looking at a slight increase in charge weight for excellent performance and accuracy that is fitting for 10mm. 40S&W strong, 231.
capreppy
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My vote goes to W231/HP-38. I use it in both 9mm Luger & .45 ACP. Meters very well and 99% of the time it is spot on.
LiveLife
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LiveLife
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ArchAngelCD
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As a replacement for Unique using Universal is probably best because it's the practically the ballistic twin yo Unique. It was developed to directly compete with Unique. As for the best powder of the two for loading the 9mm and 45 Auto I would choose W231. I am currently using W231 for all my 9mm and 45 Auto ammo.
REL1203
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These are the 2 main powders I use for all my pistol. I Love them both, W231 meters just a little bit better in my Hornady LNL AP Powder measure. Its really close, but 231 just edges it out a little bit.
LiveLife
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I don't load for 10mm but found when loading lighter target 40S&W loads, faster burning powders like W231 produced more consistency over slower powders (HS-6, WSF, Universal).
For 180 gr bullet, I get very good accuracy and clean burn even at start-to-mid range load data with W231, but need to push the slower powders at high-to-max range to get similar consistency.
For 180 gr bullet, I get very good accuracy and clean burn even at start-to-mid range load data with W231, but need to push the slower powders at high-to-max range to get similar consistency.
I think Universal is the better powder for mid range 10mm loads, that's what I use.
But with a progressive press, you don't get to do the 'double rap' that SASS#23149 described, so W231/HP38 will probably meter more consistently than Universal, but not by much.
I've used HP38 in 10mm light loads, and it works fine, but prefer Universal in 10mm and .40s&w. It's a smidge slower burning and is super clean. I use the 'double rap' method with my measure and Universal meters perfectly there. The double rap method even gets Unique to behave (+/- .2 grains)
Either one should be fine.
But with a progressive press, you don't get to do the 'double rap' that SASS#23149 described, so W231/HP38 will probably meter more consistently than Universal, but not by much.
I've used HP38 in 10mm light loads, and it works fine, but prefer Universal in 10mm and .40s&w. It's a smidge slower burning and is super clean. I use the 'double rap' method with my measure and Universal meters perfectly there. The double rap method even gets Unique to behave (+/- .2 grains)
Either one should be fine.
I've found that this just makes Unique angry and increases the spread to +/- 2 grains.
Seriously, I gave Unique one last try this week: I attached an aquarium pump (purchased just for this test) to my powder drop as a source of constant vibration. Didn't help at all. That's when I gave up on Unique for good. I posted a WTGiveAway post on co-ar15.com to see if someone local will take it off my hands. Otherwise it's going in the flowers.
ljnowell
Member
I dont blame you. I ditched Unique and 700x for the same reasons. Too many better options out there. I have switched to using AA#2 for all of my pistol light target loads. Meters great.
Ledhore
Member
Have you really looked at the net effect of the weight variations with Unique? I run a higher end load of Unique in .357 through my lever gun, metering through an LNL progressive, and see chrono standard deviation in single digits. Accuracy is very good. My experience tells me that the variations with Unique people are complaining about don't have much effect on pistol load velocities.
PO2Hammer, for pistol cartridges, I use a Hornady LnL progressive. So it's a case-activated powder drop.
The Hornady powder drop has no problem staying well within +/- 0.1 grains with Bullseye, Clays, and WST.
Ledhore, I haven't chronoed or even shot the Unique loads because the charges really are +/- >1 grain. In 10mm, that can get scary quick.
The Hornady powder drop has no problem staying well within +/- 0.1 grains with Bullseye, Clays, and WST.
Ledhore, I haven't chronoed or even shot the Unique loads because the charges really are +/- >1 grain. In 10mm, that can get scary quick.
oldreloader
Member
I don't load 10 mm but do load 9mm and 45acp. I have good luck with 231/HP38, AA#'s 2,5,&7, and Bullseye.
ljnowell
Member
I love the AAs for the metering and cleanliness of the powder in my pistols. They do tend to have some varience from lot to lot but I only buy in bigger jugs anyway. The last time I bought AA#2 was two years ago. I just take all my loads and load them down a few % and work back up every few years when I buy more.
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