Alternative powders

[alanwk]

Probably one of the Youtube generation that does not have an actual printed manual so he does not understand how load data is usually published because he is only used to the websites that give data for a single powder for a single bullet...

When one does not know what they are talking about, it is best to keep fingers off the keyboard.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

When one does not know what they are talking about, it is best to keep fingers off the keyboard.

From my perspective, you are lucky you got any response at all.

Your OP showed a lack of basic understanding of reloading by not listing caliber & bullet weights. I didn't respond for that reason as giving advice to those who appear to have no clue is a recipe for disaster.

Others asked for details - their choice.

I'm with AR15Barrels - you act like an internet reloader.

[Dvrjon]

When one does not know what they are talking about, it is best to keep fingers off the keyboard.

[golfish]

When one does not know what they are talking about, it is best to keep fingers off the keyboard.

Oh my! That's going to help



BE-86 is similar to Unique but has a flash suppressant. I did read that on the internet.

I do have both powders and they seem to work about the same for me.

[TomReloaded]

Probably one of the Youtube generation that does not have an actual printed manual so he does not understand how load data is usually published because he is only used to the websites that give data for a single powder for a single bullet...

Even online data lists multiple bullets of the same weight/different profile... A simple burn speed chart basically shows every workable powder on the market, and a couple clicks later you have data.

[ar15barrels]

When one does not know what they are talking about, it is best to keep fingers off the keyboard.

And yet we have this very thread as evidence to the contrary...

[fast54vw]

True blue

[walkonmars]

To the originator of the question, you have started a thread that has a lot of open ended solutions. You may be trying to short cut doing the required research and leg work to figure out the possible replacement/substitute powders for your application. I sense impatience with some replies because they feel you are doing something similar to asking a waiter for 5 glasses of water (its free) and there are only 2 people sitting at the table. They get you 3 extra glasses but it causes extra work and gets dumped at the end of dinner.
Your original post only asked for a substitute for "Unique".
It will be easier for contributors to answer your question(s) if have have the following facts in one brief inquiry:
1.) What calibers you want to load?
2.) What powders you have favored and why? (I have used Bullseye and Unique but discovered from website www.natoreloading.com that many alternatives meet my needs. Some are actually much better.)
3.) What amount you need (500 rounds/year, 5000 rounds/year. Want 1 pound or 8 pounds.)?
4.) What type of shooting (match, plinking, practice, low-power, high power.)?
5.) What price tolerance you have ($28/pound to $34/pound after shipping costs.)?
6.) What other important properties are you after (versatility, clean burn, low-flash, good metering through auto droppers, extruded, flake or ball.)?
7.) Do you need the powder now because it is the only thing you are missing or do you need powder, bullets-projectiles, and primers?


I will use my situation one month ago as an example:
A.) I want powder for practice/training rounds in 9mm and 45ACP in medium velocities.
B.) I want versatility to use one powder for both calibers.
C.) I have a Dillon 550 and want consistent powder drop from the Dillon dropper but not critical because these are practice rounds.
D.) I want low flash, and medium clean because I shoot night time training sessions with a class. I shoot a lot so I don't want very dirty.
E.) I shoot more than 2000 rounds of pistol per year. It makes sense to buy powder at 4 pound or 8 pound quantities.
F.) I have reloaded enough to know that I don't want to experiment much. If I got powder, I'm going to find ways to use it and I'm going to shoot all the powder down range because I'm confident I will make the powder cycle the gun properly. Accuracy in handguns is rarely and issue for practice and training shooters.
G.) I have everything except powder.
H.) I'm a cheapskate and not a millionaire, powder is the cheapest consumable for reloading (brass is free, no cost). Bullets and primers cost more.

My procedure:
Look up online load data from all the major manufacturers: Hodgdon-Winchester, Alliant, Ramshot, Vihtavuori, etc. Also use descriptions about flash, cleanliness, as a guide.
Make a list of best suitable powders for both calibers under each brand. I chose 2 best ones from each brand. I then scrubbed all the online dealers to see what was available. I needed to look every several days for several weeks but settled on "Ramshot, Sillhouette". It was clean, covers both calibers, low flash, is accurate and was available. I get so many rounds out of a pound that price was not a factor. I picked up 6 pounds at ~$40/pound after shipping, hazmat and other fees.
You seemed to have asked several separate open ended questions on this forum. With the exception of primers, it seems all the major components needed for reloading is available, now.
1.) Brass-Sweep it up from your local gun range. Angeles ranges has many brooms along the shooting line to let you do this. The range people hate to sweep it up and they will love you to sweep it for them.
2.) Powder is available within two weeks of searching the 5 major online powder dealers (Midsouth, Powder Valley, Natchez, Hodgdon, Midway, Brownells. Phillips Wholesale in Covina gets powder every three weeks or so.)
3.) Bullets-Midsouth has them now.
4.) Primers-Availability getting better but still hit and miss most of the time.

[Pepe Le Pew Pew]

You could try power pistol as well

[alanwk]

To the originator of the question, you have started a thread that has a lot of open ended solutions. You may be trying to short cut doing the required research and leg work to figure out the possible replacement/substitute powders for your application. I sense impatience with some replies because they feel you are doing something similar to asking a waiter for 5 glasses of water (its free) and there are only 2 people sitting at the table. They get you 3 extra glasses but it causes extra work and gets dumped at the end of dinner.
Your original post only asked for a substitute for "Unique".
It will be easier for contributors to answer your question(s) if have have the following facts in one brief inquiry:
1.) What calibers you want to load?
2.) What powders you have favored and why? (I have used Bullseye and Unique but discovered from website www.natoreloading.com that many alternatives meet my needs. Some are actually much better.)
3.) What amount you need (500 rounds/year, 5000 rounds/year. Want 1 pound or 8 pounds.)?
4.) What type of shooting (match, plinking, practice, low-power, high power.)?
5.) What price tolerance you have ($28/pound to $34/pound after shipping costs.)?
6.) What other important properties are you after (versatility, clean burn, low-flash, good metering through auto droppers, extruded, flake or ball.)?
7.) Do you need the powder now because it is the only thing you are missing or do you need powder, bullets-projectiles, and primers?


I will use my situation one month ago as an example:
A.) I want powder for practice/training rounds in 9mm and 45ACP in medium velocities.
B.) I want versatility to use one powder for both calibers.
C.) I have a Dillon 550 and want consistent powder drop from the Dillon dropper but not critical because these are practice rounds.
D.) I want low flash, and medium clean because I shoot night time training sessions with a class. I shoot a lot so I don't want very dirty.
E.) I shoot more than 2000 rounds of pistol per year. It makes sense to buy powder at 4 pound or 8 pound quantities.
F.) I have reloaded enough to know that I don't want to experiment much. If I got powder, I'm going to find ways to use it and I'm going to shoot all the powder down range because I'm confident I will make the powder cycle the gun properly. Accuracy in handguns is rarely and issue for practice and training shooters.
G.) I have everything except powder.
H.) I'm a cheapskate and not a millionaire, powder is the cheapest consumable for reloading (brass is free, no cost). Bullets and primers cost more.

My procedure:
Look up online load data from all the major manufacturers: Hodgdon-Winchester, Alliant, Ramshot, Vihtavuori, etc. Also use descriptions about flash, cleanliness, as a guide.
Make a list of best suitable powders for both calibers under each brand. I chose 2 best ones from each brand. I then scrubbed all the online dealers to see what was available. I needed to look every several days for several weeks but settled on "Ramshot, Sillhouette". It was clean, covers both calibers, low flash, is accurate and was available. I get so many rounds out of a pound that price was not a factor. I picked up 6 pounds at ~$40/pound after shipping, hazmat and other fees.
You seemed to have asked several separate open ended questions on this forum. With the exception of primers, it seems all the major components needed for reloading is available, now.
1.) Brass-Sweep it up from your local gun range. Angeles ranges has many brooms along the shooting line to let you do this. The range people hate to sweep it up and they will love you to sweep it for them.
2.) Powder is available within two weeks of searching the 5 major online powder dealers (Midsouth, Powder Valley, Natchez, Hodgdon, Midway, Brownells. Phillips Wholesale in Covina gets powder every three weeks or so.)
3.) Bullets-Midsouth has them now.
4.) Primers-Availability getting better but still hit and miss most of the time.

Nice essay.