HP38/231 or Unique?

[SquidBilly]

I'm debating whether to stock up on one or the other or both.

I'll be reloading 38 Special, 44 Magnum and .380 acp and seems as if I can work up a plethora of loads with either of the 2 powders.

Would it make sense to stock up on just one?

[sghart]

A few pounds of W231 for 38 spl, 380 and the occasional 44 spl rounds for your 44 mag.

Then keep 1 pound of Unique around for your 44 mag loads.


PS I am a Squidbillies fan as are a few of my co workers. It is funny how many of the lines from the show have made it into our every day vocabulary at work. Best of luck.


Steve in N CA

[SquidBilly]

Thanks Steve.

I was considering picking up a pound of Unique to try on loads that call for it. I just didn't want to be stuck with a bunch of similar powders if unnecessary.

[9mmepiphany]

You might take a look at BE-86. It does pretty much what Unique does, but meters much better and usually burns cleaner

[Dragginpanda]

Unique is very dirty.

[kalapa]

Unique is such a great and versatile powder. Performance wise it's one of the best all around. But yeah, it's just so dirty! I'd stock up on 231 for just that reason alone.

[TomReloaded]

I hate unique so much. Unlike many people, I didn't find it versatile at all. It was the least flexible powder ive used.

Hot loads aren't that hot. Mild loads are filthy. It meters poorly. Basically, i couldn't use it to make a load I wanted to shoot. It just made bad,, inconsistent, dirty ammo.

[PatC415]

Hp38 is pretty versatile, and it's what I use in everything from 380 to 45acp.
44 mag? Unique will certainly work for low power loads, but there are much better powders for that. I have a can or two of H110 and W296 for that purpose.

[Pardini]

Hp38 is pretty versatile, and it's what I use in everything from 380 to 45acp.
44 mag? Unique will certainly work for low power loads, but there are much better powders for that. I have a can or two of H110 and W296 for that purpose.

I'll bite. Share some of your low power 110/296 loads please.

[pacrat]

I'll bite. Share some of your low power 110/296 loads please.

^^^THIS^^^

I've never used 296. But 110 like 2400 does not do well in reduced loads. They both like full pressure loads for complete combustion and consistant pressure levels.

JM2c

[RogueSniper]

I started my reloading habit with WIN231 (now HP38, pretty much the same stuff but check your load manuals). I normally keep 8lbs. It's gets used regularly. I use it for everything except for magnum. Magnum, I use Accurate No.9. How does Accurate No.5 fare as an all round powder?

[stilly]

I'm debating whether to stock up on one or the other or both.

I'll be reloading 38 Special, 44 Magnum and .380 acp and seems as if I can work up a plethora of loads with either of the 2 powders.

Would it make sense to stock up on just one?

None of your powders are true magnum powders. You would be better with Blue Dot

Seriously though, you can make .44 special with your powders, but not .44 mag.

Okay, you can MAKE .44 mag, but it will be a ricer .44 mag and not a real one. Sure it will LOOK like a .44 mag, but pull the trigger and it will go pop instead of BOOM... And then all the girls will point at your crotch and snicker...

[kriller134]

I had horrible luck with hp38 loading 44 mag. At 10.5 grains I was still keyholing at 25 yards. It was very frustrating.

[sghart]

I didn't suggest other powders because he didn't ask about other powders. He asked about 2 particular powders.

The stupid is strong in this forum.

[CSACANNONEER]

For the last year or so, I've been using Titegroup for most of my handgun loads. It meters great and works well.