Unique powder...anywhere?? anyone??

[Throckmorton]

I see online that Unique is 'coming' back''.... or is it ?
Has anyone seen it in the Eugene area or maybe even the Bimart at Veneta?
I ask because just as I finished off a pound I got from a veteran reloader I found a WOW recipe for my western-era sixguns.
NOW I WANT MORE MORE MORE .
or even just one pound, pickings in Florence are pretty slim, Bimart is iT.
FYI the magic recipe was 45 colt, 200 grain semi wadcutter from T&B, and 8.8 grains Unique. MY gun lluuuuuuuuuves it

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[Mikej]

I see online that Unique is 'coming' back''.... or is it ?
Has anyone seen it in the Eugene area or maybe even the Bimart at Veneta?
I ask because just as I finished off a pound I got from a veteran reloader I found a WOW recipe for my western-era sixguns.
NOW I WANT MORE MORE MORE .
or even just one pound, pickings in Florence are pretty slim, Bimart is iT.
FYI the magic recipe was 45 colt, 200 grain semi wadcutter from T&B, and 8.8 grains Unique. MY gun lluuuuuuuuuves it

You remember Jane getting that stainless Rossi M92 and bringing it down there to shoot the first time don't you? I've been loading for that with Win 244. I think it's kind of dirty, but I thought the same of Unique when I first started loading. That's why I use 231/HP38, HS6 in the other smallish caliber pistols.

I load the same T&B 200 gr flat points for her!

 

[Throckmorton]

I do remember you guys and that lever gun , you betcha. I been doing fine with Titegroup now that I quit trying to 'below book' , but this unique load I just shot made happy ,happy, happy. Then I got sad knowing my one pound was gone,gone,gone. You and Jane need to bring yer gear and try out the new plates on the pistol range,miss shooting with ya. take care.

 

[Bobbygun]

LOL. I just posted in a reloading thread, lamenting the lack of Unique and 2400. I check Bi-Mart and Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse but haven't seen any in years. After not finding any Bullseye either, I did see a pound in Cascade Farm back in May - right after I met a forum member and bought a pound from him. The pound at Cascade Farm seems like it was $60+, but I was glad to see it at least surfaced. I'm hoping Unique and 2400 will follow suit.

 

[WillametteWill]

I'm pretty sure I saw a large jug at Sportsman's Salem. You might give them a call.

 

[Bobbygun]

I'm pretty sure I saw a large jug at Sportsman's Salem. You might give them a call.

Good call. The Salem store website indicates "pick up in store".

ETA: The Albany store indicates the same for a one-pound container. (The Salem store only has the 8 pounder.)

 

[Outpost75]

I have been using Olin Auto Comp as a substitute for Unique with good results in .32 ACP, .38 Special, .44-40 and .44 Magnum. I have used the same charge weight as for Unique and then adjusting over a chronograph to reach desired velocity.

3 grains of Unique in .32 ACP with R-P 93-grain FMJ .30 Luger bullet in R-P case with Winchester primer at 0.979" OAL produces 895 fps at 20,600 psi. as measured via strain gage and Oehler M43PBL.

3 grains of AutoComp with same components 890 fps at 21,200 psi

Remington 71 FMJ with 3.5 grains of Autocomp is 946 fps at 19,200 psi.

Hirtenberg 73-grain FMJ factory load CIP reference was 981 fps at 21,600 psi.

THESE LOADS FOR STEEL FRAME GUNS ONLY.
NOT FOR KELTEC OR BERETTA TOMCAT!!!

 

[DizzyJ]

I haven't seen any of that particular powder in forever!

 

[Bobbygun]

I haven't seen any of that particular powder in forever!

Me either. I was in the Albany Sportsman's a little over two weeks ago and they didn't have any on the shelf. Their website now shows it in stock, but I think I would call before I made the hour drive from my house, just to be sure.

 

[P7M13]

I haven't loaded much pistol in the past four years. I still have 3# of Unique and 8# of Universal. Though they're not identical, they're awfully darned close in loading weight, fill density and energy.

 

[RVTECH]

On another forum a guy in NJ recently posted about finding some in a local LGS but it was gone shortly after it was advertised!

 

[monks]

I've got two pounds of unique and two pounds of bullseye with recipes for both. I also have a bunch of blue dot but the last stuff I bought has been awful! It's so dirty that I can't get through a box of 38's without locking my 686 up. I read a statement a while back from Alliant that they were suspending sales on all powder. Does anyone know what's up with that?

 

[kmk1012]

I cut my reloading teeth using unique because it was the most economical powder. Lead was free for me and I had more time than money so I learned to cast. It was dirty but with all my time I just did the extra cleaning. I really wish I could get more for a rainy day, or I'd even pay a small ransom for some Trailboss as well!

 

[coltemp]

I cut my reloading teeth using unique because it was the most economical powder. Lead was free for me and I had more time than money so I learned to cast. It was dirty but with all my time I just did the extra cleaning. I really wish I could get more for a rainy day, or I'd even pay a small ransom for some Trailboss as well!

We ll if you or some of the other on this thread are ever up North of Seattle I would be happy to unload some unique. have a little shy of 4 pounds not doing anything. Can't help you on the Trailboss!

It is interesting to see the loads some of this older stuff was used for. It's too bad Vista and the powder guys keep pushing new powders when there were plenty of older ones that still work just fine.

 

[po18guy]

A couple of years back Alliant may have slowed or stopped production so that they could re-formulate it for cleaner burning - which was the only real complaint.

 

[aasbra]

I have not seen Unique in stores for probably 5 years. But I have seen other powders that have been difficult to find during the latest shortage come back available the last 6-9 months. I even saw some alerts from retailers that Trail Boss was back in stock over the past several weeks (sold out very quickly). So maybe Unique and Universal will also come available again soon?

I'm still working off my existing supply. I picked up a few pounds the last several years from other reloaders, and an 8# jug from another member here. So I'm covered for a while. it is a versatile powder that I like to keep on hand. I use it for a number of handgun loads, and for reduced loads in 30-30.

 

[SSloan]

9lb Assortment: Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, H4831, Win 760
I put it in the classified three weeks ago, at a what I thought was a bargain price, no interest.
Marked it back up and will wait on a trade. Haven't seen any in years.
Boards aren't like they used to be; we used to deal/talk/help-out, maybe not so much anymore.
Probably me just getting older.
Steve

 

[monks]

9lb Assortment: Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, H4831, Win 760
I put it in the classified three weeks ago, at a what I thought was a bargain price, no interest.
Took it back up and will wait on a trade. Haven't seen any in years.
Boards are nothing like they used to be, we used to deal, maybe not so much anymore, probably me just getting older.
Steve

A lot of times for me I see great deals but with the travel time and transportation (gas) costs the deals aren't deals any more unless you have multiple reasons for taking a trip.

 

[Bobbygun]

9lb Assortment: Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, H4831, Win 760
I put it in the classified three weeks ago, at a what I thought was a bargain price, no interest.
Marked it back up and will wait on a trade. Haven't seen any in years.
Boards aren't like they used to be; we used to deal/talk/help-out, maybe not so much anymore.
Probably me just getting older.
Steve

That was a good deal. If only a guy could ship powder like they can ammo, it wouldn't have lasted long. Your location undoubtedly limits your customer base.

I have had people reach out to me from this forum. Usually, they are too far away. I did meet up with one guy who reached out before he was making a family trip down south from Portland. That worked out great.

A lot of times for me I see great deals but with the travel time and transportation (gas) costs the deals aren't deals any more unless you have multiple reasons for taking a trip.

Absolutely. I saw some good deals on primers and other things up in Vancouver recently. Made me want to make the trip until I realized I likely have all I need. Then I noticed the items I was eyeballing weren't all from the same seller. In fact, it was three different sellers. That would have taken some effort logistically lining up all three in the same trip.

 

[SSloan]

I appreciate and understand where you're coming from. But before the UPS to my door or deals off mentalities and the I received the item in 14.5hrs folks, we used to find ways to get things done. People have to be willing to talk about items/price/delivery and maybe calibrate to resolve the obstacles. We all have had deals that haven't come together, maybe we have stopped trying. Folks trying to work together is maybe the part I miss.

Thanks Monks,
I appreciate the discussion, no disrespect intended or implied.
Thinking "Old Faithfull" is my next screenname.
Steve