Unique vs. Hodgdon Universal

["yote"]

I've been using unique for most of my handgun loading with exellent results. Very flexible stuff. The one thing that I don't like is that it VERY DIRTY !!!! Not a big problem in the wheel-guns but in the Autos it sucks. The H-Universal is right next to unique on the burning chart so it should offer the same results. My question is; will Universal burn much cleaner? That is my hope.
Any feed-back?

[Rocky Raab]

First, the new formulation of Unique does burn notably cleaner (as do the new Red Dot and others). All of my Unique is of the old style and it'll be a while before I burn it all, so I can't vouch for the cleaner new stuff personally - yet.

But, Hodgdon Universal is a very clean burner, something I can confirm. It's very close to Unique in burn speed, too. I've tested it with identical charges in identical loads and gotten results very close to the numbers Unique gives.

That said, the two are NOT the same powder, and you should use published data for Universal if that's what you're loading.

It's good stuff.

[Ken14]

I use Universal in .45 Colt loads and find it far better cleanliness wise to Unique. Meters very well in a Dillion powder measue.. I like it a lot.

[BILLY D.]

LIKE KEN, I FIND UNIVERSAL A TERRIFIC POWDER FOR 45 COLTS AND 41 MAG. IT IS GREAT WITH LEAD OR JACKETED BULLETS. CLEAN BURNING AND ACCURATE. IT IS MY GO TO POWDER.

[BlueMoon]

I use both powders for several calibers and like both. But, if working near max loads, I find Universal to pressure spike quicker than Unique. There are still some things that the old Unique is better for. BM

Bill