Universal Better than Unique?

[Sport45]

I bought a jug of Universal to replace my Unique since I'd read about how it meters so much better. This hasn't been my experience. In fact, I don't seem to have a powder measure I'd say it meters well in at all.

I've tried it in my Lee PPM, Lyman 55, and Redding Model 3. I have binding and throws that vary by 0.3gr at best. For a "powder baffle" I leave a funnel in the top of the measure with powder in the funnel. This keeps a constant level of powder in the hopper. I haven't run it through my 550b yet, so the jury is still out there.

Maybe I just got lucky and had a jug of Unique that metered well, but so far I've been disappointed with my move to Universal. Does it really meter better for you guys who have tried it? What measures have you found it to work well in?

 

[Hammerhead]

I like Universal better than Unique. It meters far better for me (Redding 10X) and doesn't leave that greasy, gray residue on my guns.
Maybe the smaller chamber of the 10X favors Universal.

 

[jmortimer]

I'll take Unique but it needs to loaded to higher end to work best. Many are happy with Universal but I'm staying with Unique.

 

[Mike-Mat]

I like them both. But I generally stick with Unique.

 

[PA-Joe]

Are you double tapping the handle on both the up and down strokes?

 

[rgrundy]

Univeral meters poorly for me if I am loading less than 6.0 grains of it. I switched to WSF.

 

[David Bachelder]

I have never used Unique.

I do use Universal and have found that it meters well, very well out of my RCBS Uniflow.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Yes.

 

[Sport45]

Thanks guys!

Are you double tapping the handle on both the up and down strokes?

Yes, that's been a habit of mine for a long time.

Univeral meters poorly for me if I am loading less than 6.0 grains of it.

Maybe that's the problem. I was loading for .40S&W and my charge weight was targeted at 5.5 grains. I don't have the pistol micrometer for it, but if it would help I may see if Redding still stocks them.

Hopefully it will work better when I'm loading .45 Colt.

 

[mmb713]

I've found that Universal meters well IF you use a consistent stroke on the powder measure. I've found that if I give a solid tap on the upstroke every time on my Uniflow it will meter consistently, otherwise not so much. Universal doesn't bind up the drum like Unique can though. And Universal is super clean. Sooo clean...

 

[warningshot]

Keep us posted on your Universal 40 & 45 Long Colt loads. I don't reload for those calibers.

I've used Universal in .38 spl. and 9mm. I like Bullseye & W213 much better.

 

[BigJimP]

Yes, I'm using Universal now ....in all of my handgun calibers ( 9mm, .40S&W, .45 acp, .38 spl, .357 mag and .44 mag ....on a Dillon 650 ...and it meters very well with their powder measure. Its accurate ...and as clean as most anything else I've used.

I don't really have anything against Unique...but Hodgdon Universal is easier for me to get in 8 lb kegs...and I also use Universal in 20ga and 28ga shotshells. So to me, Hodgdon Universal has been a good powder. I was using Hodgdon TiteGroup ...but it was getting increasingly difficult to get in 8 lb kegs.