Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Replacement for Unique or Bullseye?

That was a good one, props!

Thanks. Just ordered 8 pounds.

Winchester 231 and Ramshot True Blue fill my needs for those two uses.

For lighter .38 Special loads I've experimented a lot with TiteGroup, Zip and 231, and 231 consistently provides the best accuracy for me with three different bullets across six different .38 Special revolvers. 3.3 to 4.0 grains with a DEWC, HBWC or 158 gain SWC gets the job done, although I usually stick to a full wadcutter for the lighter target loads.

Staying with the .38 Special but moving up in power, 4.5 to 5.5 grains of True Blue also consistently gives the best accuracy across those same six revolvers with a 158 SWC. Velocity is around the low-mid 800 fps to low-mid 900 fps range depending on charge weight and barrel length.

For a moderate .357 load I've settled on 7.0 grains of True Blue to get 1050-1090 fps, again with a 158 grain SWC. That 7.0 grain charge weight has proven to be the most accurate across three .357 revolvers. You can go up to 8 grains for 1175 fps but if more than that 1075-ish fps range is wanted then it's probably better to just move up to a full power load with 2400 or 296.

True Blue is also a fine grained ball powder that measures very precisely.

Cool. That's enough for a lot of handloading!

Guy

Years ago I found AL20/28 to be a near grain-for-grain replacement for Unique in the .38 Special and .44 Special with velocity differences being no more than 3% higher with 20/28. I've not tested it in any other calibers. As to Bullseye, if you can find IMR Target, I've used it interchangeably with Bullseye.

When the scamdemic was strong my Bullseye stash got down to 3 lbs, I found a dusty jug of E3 local. Cheap at $176. No published pistol data but plenty on the innanets. Its a little faster than Bullseye. It works just as well for me and a bit cleaner to boot. I use it for bunny fart loads in target pistols only.

IMO HP38/231 is a great mid range powder for .45acp and 9mm.

I no longer have any use for slower pistol powder but still have a new lb of Unique in the stash. Its getting old, probably should gift it away....

Thanks, True Blue was not even on my radar but seems to be just what I am looking for. Now to find a pound or two. Do you use mag or standard primers with it?

Natchez has Unique in stock and on sale today

Shooters World Clean Shot has a burn rate like HP38 and Bullseye. It is very clean burning and priced lower that the alternatives. Not sure what alternative to Unique is best. I would recommend Universal, but it is unobtainable. Appears the factory that makes it got a big government contract and ceased all other production in the meantime.

HS6 is giving me better groups in 45 Colt loadings.

For light and medium loads, it is still Unique. If I were to go back to indoor center-fire shooting, I'd be using Bulls Eye. I've had good enough results with those two powders that I have felt little need to change, though I do use H110/WW296 and 2400 for heavier loads. In a heavier load for use in both a rifle and revolver I've been using H110/WW296 the most. Other powders I use include IMR4227 and 5744.
I have a couple other powders on the self that I should be trying, I guess.

Why go away from Unique?

Unique and Bullseye are in stock at my local gun shop now after being unobtainable for nearly 4 years.

I've been messing with 244 since LGS had a sale on it that was too good to pass up. I'm relatively new to handgun reloading so have never used Unique, but 244 is right next to it on the burn rate chart. It meters well. A bit subjective but I think it burns more completely than the 231 and Bullseye that I've used previously. So far I have been pretty pleased with it in 9MM, .45ACP and .38SPL. I'm mostly creating mild target loads. In .38SPL I've tried 148 DEWC, 148 HBWC and 158 FP plated. All have shot fine-excellent with minimal work-up. I wish I had velocities to share but have not been able to chrono yet.

The only downside (to 244) that I've found so far is minimal load data. Pretty much have to rely on Hodgdon or kind of extrapolate from 231 data.

I'd like try try 244 since it seems to be a "231 Improved". Trouble is, even a small stash of 231 is enough for about 8,000 rounds of .38 target loads, so it might be a while before I get around to it.




Maybe next week...

I just bought 2 more pounds of Unique today. I will add that to what I already have and that will keep me in powder for a while.
For me, YMMV, there is no replacement. I use it in 6 different handgun cartridges. It is accurate and seems to work well in all of them. It simplifies my life.
I am glad to see it available again. 😎

This is kind of what I'm trying to do with 244. What are your 6?

Lots of love for Unique but it can be hard to find and it is relatively expensive.

.38 spl
.357 magnum
9mm
.44 magnum
.45acp
.45 colt

Probably not the best powder for magnum loads but pretty good just below full house loads. A very useful powder for handguns. Simplifies my powder storage locker (tubs 😁).
There seems to be a lot of it for sale at the usual places, but it’s going fast.
Seems the today the prices for powder and primers are all too high. But I don’t think they are going to come down anytime soon.

RED DOT.

Win 231 is a staple here.