Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Replacements for unique and Bullseye?

In the name of safety, there is no such thing as “Universal Clays” today. Hodgdon did bring the propellant out in 1992 under that name, but wide confusion among reloaders prompted them to rename it “Universal”. Too many reloaders were confusing data for Clays with Universal Clays - the results were not pretty since in many cartridges a starting load with Universal is an overload with Clays (see .38 Special data below). Never underestimate the carelessness or ignorance of some reloaders. Hodgdon was wise to rename it decades ago, making the old name obsolete.

Universal is an excellent substitute for Unique (hence the similar name) but it is not identical. In some of my .45LC loads they give virtually identical fps/grain, while in the .38-55 Universal is considerably faster.