Thinking about switching from Unique to ww231...

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

W231 is clean, but not as clean as Vihtavhouri N310 or N320. Your biggest challenge now is going to be finding someone with W231 in stock. I have not seen any in months locally or on line. The VV powers seem to be more available now, but they are pricier by about 30% over Winchester.

 

[mr surveyor]

AA#5 is also a good fit for those mentioned .... if you can't be too choosy with what's available

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Yes, finding them is the trick. I was really thinking into the future when the sky's are a bit bluer and powder is available to the common man. :mrgreen:

On the bright side, I did pick up a lb of HS-6 today. Good powder, but not my first, or second choice. But I needed something. :roll: From what I've seen Alliant pistol powders are nearly impossible to find these days. Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester are a little better. But still scarce.

 

[6gun]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

Winchester 231 is a excellent clean burning powder meters well, excellent for every cal. you mention once you try it you won't go back to that nasty old Unique.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester are a little better. But still scarce.

Hi,

Might want to look at recipes on Hodgdon's site and see if Universal offers anything tempting. A lot of folks have converted to it from Unique. Haven't tried to buy any lately, though, so it may be as scarce as 231.

Rick C

 

[Bucks Owin]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

Winchester 231 is a excellent clean burning powder meters well, excellent for every cal. you mention once you try it you won't go back to that nasty old Unique.

10X...I know a lot of guys still dote on it and I've used my share, but I now call it "Obsolique"... :wink:

JMO though, and yeah, these days ya take what you can get! :?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I've still got a good supply of HP-38/W231 (same powder) and Universal. I have no interest in Unique. :D :D

 

[Rclark]

I have no interest in Unique.

Good :) . That leaves some for the rest of us :D . I do like it for my .44 Special and .44 Mag loads. That and Universal or 20/28 (when you can find 'em). As for W-231 I don't have anything bad to say about it. All my tests show it to be a good powder and does meter well. Don't know about 9mm though as I don't shoot that caliber. Lots of good powders out there!

 

[DGW1949]

The only ball powder that I shoot is the stuff that Winchester puts into their 9MM and .45ACP "White Box" ammo. I can't say for sure, but my gut tells me that the powder they're using in those applications is probably W-231.I can't say as to whether it's better (or worse) than Unique, but I do know that it burns as good as any other factory ammo that I've used. What that tells me is that if by some off-chance, I was out of Unique, couldn't find any, but stumbled-up on some W-231, I might give it a try myself.

On the other hand, just to switch to be switching?...naw, that aint going to happen.....never felt the need.

DGW

 

[anachronism]

Ammo manufacturers don't use canister powders in factory ammo. Each lot is specifically blended for that particular production run. For the next production run, they do the same thing all over again, with the intent of duplicating the previous lot as closely as possible. There are additional steps taken for "match" type ammo to insure uniformity.

 

[LightningMan]

I like W231 also, but can't find it anywhere, along with AA#5 or AA#2. I've been using RamShot ZIP lately and have had good results. It meters well and fairly clean burning, if you can find it, that may be an alturnative. My next powder to try when I run out of ZIP is WIN AutoComp, as I've heard good things about it. LM

 

[LaneP]

Unique is a good medium burner for medium and large bore guns lobbing heavy bullets. I use it a lot in mid-range .45 Colt loads in a NM Blackhawk that are somewhat above standard velocity loads but fall short of the "Ruger only" super heavy loads.

If I'm just tossing 200-230 bullets out of a 1911 at around 750-850 fps though, a fast burner like W231 gives cleaner results and is generally more accurate as well.

 

[Snake45]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

Winchester 231 is a excellent clean burning powder meters well, excellent for every cal. you mention once you try it you won't go back to that nasty old Unique.

Agree completely! Lovely stuff, and HP-38 is exactly the same powder, if you can find that. :wink:

 

[Jim Puke]

Each lot is specifically blended for that particular production run. For the next production run, they do the same thing all over again, with the intent of duplicating the previous lot as closely as possible.

P.S. The same thing is done to produce canister or commercial powder. Each lot of powder is specifically blended for each lot to duplicate the previous lot as closely as possible.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I've tried Unique a bunch and just never could get it to work as well as others. I have always found it produces more recoil, worse accuracy, and higher spreads across the chronograph. For anything in small to medium bore handguns that can be done with Unique I can always do better with Accurate #5. Unique does seem to do well for light rifle loads though. Unique's close cousin Green Dot is a better powder. Very accurate and soft shooting although it also produces large velocity spreads.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...

I have been using Unique in my .45Colt and .44Special handloads for many years and see no reason to change. Yes, it can be a little dirty, but we all clean our guns after using them, right?

I also use Bullseye in .45ACP and .45AutoRim and have been tempted to try W23/HP38 in those calibers. Unfortunately, I haven't seen either of those two powders in gun shops for quite some time, so am a bit leery of working up new loads with the limited amount that I have on hand not knowing if I will be able to get more. I have a lot of Bullseye and Unique on hand so until powder supplies are more secure, I will stick with what I have and know works.

 

[WESHOOT2]

If switching from Unique use Universal.

You'll be within .2g for any load compared to Unique, except it will meter easier, burn cleaner, and remain similar ballistically.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I guess if there is an "upside" to the component shortage, it is that we can all dust off our manuals and try some new recipes... :wink:

I like Green Dot but never used Universal. With my old pal WESHOOT2's endorsement, guess I'll be keeping an eye peeled for some.... 8)

 

[sailorb]

I too am a big fan of W231. I use it in .38 Spec, 9mm, .45ACP and .44 Spec. It has always been my go to powder, especially for cast bullets. I haven't seen it on the shelf in a year and a half. I like Universal, but ditto on supply. Unique works pretty well for all those, plus lighter .44 Mag. It is harder to meter, but I haven't noticed it being a whole lot dirtier. Like some others, I clean up after every use. The best thing about it is I got four pounds as part of an estate sale a few years ago. At the rate I use it, it will last until well beyond the next election cycle.

 

[dougader]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

I use 231 for all the calibers you mention, and several others. I think you'll like it for target loads to medium loads. Unique is a bit slower burning, so if you're looking for high velocity loads you won't get quite as fast with 231. If you like loading on the heavy side, Universal or WSF may be better choices.

 

[Steve C]

I like W231 for 158gr lead bullets in either target standard velocity or +P loads in the .38 spl and target loads in the .45 acp. I also load 215gr LSWC in my .41 mag for target shooting and duplication of the old police load at around 950 fps. Using 2.5 more grains of Unique will send the same bullet out the 4" barrel muzzle 200 fps faster.

When I load for +P .38 spl loads using 125gr JHP, 9mm 115 and 125gr JHP's, or for full power loads in the .45 acp there's nothing better in my experience than Unique. Unique top loads in the .38 spl will produce about 10% higher velocities than top loads using W231. In the .45 acp will push 185gr JHP's 1,050 fps + and 230gr JHP's at 900 fps without exceeding standard pressure which is important to ensure JHP expansion from these modest pressure and velocity cartridges. In the 9mm one can easily produce 115gr +P velocities (1,250 fps to 1,300 fps +) from hand loads with Unique while keeping pressures in the standard pressure range. You really can't do it with W231 and stay within published loads.

W231 is a good powder and it adds to load versatility but I would not replace Unique on my bench with it, instead add it as a complementary powder.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I've found I cannot have enough, or different, powders.


Like hammers, 'specific tool for the job at hand', ay?

 

[sandman228]

I thought it was just me but im seeing others here aren't real crazy about unique either ive got a half lb here that im just gonna burn up in 12 gauge shells just to use it up . to each there own but in my opinion hp38-231 would be better for what o-p is loading . but good luck finding either right now .heres something to look into there both made by adi powders they also have pb,e3,AA2,and n320 as equivalents.

 

[twobisquit]

I would buy Unique if I could find it. I would buy Universal if I could find it. I would buy A LOT of HS-6 if I could find it :(

 

[LaneP]

Don't overlook Bullseye as a possible alternative if W231 proves hard to find.

I shot some handloads yesterday morning consisting of a cast 230 grain LRN and 4.6 grains Bullseye in an SR1911.

They felt stout (chronograph average = 845 fps from a commander length bbl) but the velocity consistency was amazing.

Most shots were within only a few fps of each other. I had a greater spread when I tested some Aguila 9mm 124 grain FMJ out of my Shield. A few of the shots varied by 50 fps (average speed = 947 fps).

 

[Paul B]

A few years back while at a gun show, I found a full case of Winchester 148 gr. target ammo at a very good price. Normally, I cast my own handgun bullets so used this targer ammo to compare with my home cast 148 gr. wadcutters that I put over 3.1 gr. of either Bullseye or W231 depending on what I have on hand.
Using a rest, I shot 10 rounds of that pricey target ammo and then after cleaning the gun fired 10 rounds of my home made target loads. Group with the commercial stuff was 2.5" at 25 yards. My handloads did 2.0" even. Tried several moe runs with both loads and my handloa beat the "fancy" stuff every time. Still have a bunch left over and I'll probably use them for plinking.
Guns used in the tests were an S&W no number Combat Masterpiece and an S&W K-38. I also ran one set of each in an S&W M28. One of my students in Hunter Ed class decided he didn't shoot enough to warrnent reloading and gave me an 8 pound can of W231. Guess I'm good for the rest of my days.
Paul B.

 

[m657]

I used Unique in my cowboy stuff for about 10 years and grew to dislike it immensely.

On the other hand, for 45LC moderate cowboy loads, I did grow very fond of Trail Boss, HP38/W231, Titegroup (more for 38), Universal, and a few others....even the Holy Black.

I've shot enough 2400, Blue Dot, Bullseye, HS6 to know I'd like excuse & opportunity to give a larger field trial to each. I know guys at my club that load ONLY with 'Bullseye' or 'Unique' and have managed for decades to satisfy their needs. So many powders, so little time. And recently, the shortage has required being adept at finding suitable alternatives to old favorites.

A few years ago I had forgot my aversion to Unique and brought a 4# jug home. Probably will out last everything else I use.

 

[LaneP]

I went powder hunting at the LGS a couple weeks ago and all they had suitable for small/medium bore pistol was a single pound of Unique.

Their powder room is literally 4 walls of various propellants, but it was all stuff that is used less, such as super slow rifle and magnum handgun powders. I would have no problem stocking up on AA9 or W296 if I needed it.

I've never had a problem using Unique but I think it burns cleaner when used in the middle to upper range of the load data where it burns more efficiently. It was the very first powder I ever loaded into a cartridge case (.38 Spl) in the late 70's.

That said, I think there are better powders for cast bullet loads such as in .45 ACP, but I've also loaded Unique under some 200 grain SWC's that will shoot a ragged hole out of my Sig P220 at 50'. Probably not the most efficient powder these days compared to some newer formulations but not out of the running either.

 

[pyth0n]

Any one have an opinion on this? I like Unique. But it's somewhat dirty and meters like crap. BTW, this would be for 9mm, 38 spl and 45 acp & Colt. I've never tried 231 before.

Winchester 231 is a excellent clean burning powder meters well, excellent for every cal. you mention once you try it you won't go back to that nasty old Unique.

+1