Poll: One powder only

[unique]

Unique. It was originally released as reduced load rifle powder. I have pamphlet from Hercules from 1933 showing various rifle loads along with several older canisters marked rifle powder on them. It works in shotguns and pistols even better. I have personally loaded it in 218bee, 223, 30-30 303 brit, 7x57, 45-70, 35 rem, 357mag, 38spcl, 20gauge,30-06... well I can't even remember them all but suffice to say in every caliber I ever owned...

It is waterproof, doesn't decompose with normal storage, ignites easy, and has nice linear pressure curve meaning it is a predictable powder.

Some say it meters poorly but I never , ever had bridging problem. It is somewhat fluffy but that contributes to its inherent accuracy since it ignites easily and tends to fill more of the case.

Some say it burns dirty...are there really people who care that it burns dirty??? apparently and that amazes me....well anyway at lower pressures that is true but at higher pressures it burns clean.

If you want one powder that is useful across a wide spectrum then you will not find a more versatile powder than good old Unique

[jmort]

Nice info. Unique is not position sensitive and works well loaded closer to max. It is no wonder that it is so popular.

[Digital Dan]

So, about half the folks here go to Unique and the rest wander in the desert. The premise of the poll seems contrived to me, searching for a response intended for purposes I cannot fathom and with choices tilted.

Given the nature of this site and demographic norms in the US, the results are no surprise. Would very likely see something totally different in the world where casting was not the topic of the day.

Just to be contrary, I vote for black powder, pick whatever granulation that makes you all warm and fuzzy. The original shooter's fraternity used black in simpler times. It still works in ALL firearms and cartridges regardless of case volume.

Contrary Dan

[jonp]

Good grief Dan. Read the first paragraph, post 1.

I couldn't list every powder in a poll so I tried to pick some over a range of burn rates and since shotgun/pistol powders are more likely to be used in rifle than the other way around. That's why there are more of the former than latter.

Or I'm really with DHS and want to find out the most popular powder so I can pull it and cause a mysterious shortage.
Or I'm finding out the most popular, cornering the market and when the apocalypse hits you will all be my slaves because I'll have all the powder.

[Digital Dan]

I read the first paragraph. I was contrary before I read it and remain unrepentant. Your selection menu doesn't work for me due to the variety of arms I shoot. BP will work in all of them. So I vote for BP.

[jonp]

I read the first paragraph. I was contrary before I read it and remain unrepentant. Your selection menu doesn't work for me due to the variety of arms I shoot. BP will work in all of them. So I vote for BP.

Nothing wrong with being contrary. It go's hand in hand with being a skeptic

[Hickok]

Unigue would have to be a universal powder for me. I could load semi auto and mag revolvers. If I could just have two powders, I would add 2400 and never have a regret.

As of yet, I have not been able to locate either one in my travels. I have a little left.

Maybe the Russians or Czechs will start to ship some good powder to the U.S. for a fair price. Then we wont have to listen excuses we get from American manufacturers about why we shooters can't find any.

[swheeler]

One powder only! What you talkin' bout Willis?

[Digital Dan]

Nothing wrong with being contrary. It go's hand in hand with being a skeptic

I'm not a skeptic, but I am.....disturbed.

[jonp]

I'm not a skeptic, but I am.....disturbed.

or disturbing

[Big_Blue]

I picked Unique also. It works for all the hand guns I load for and I've used it in most the rifles.

Key

Where did you find a recipe for rifles?

[jonp]

Where did you find a recipe for rifles?

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is a good place to start

[Photog]

Alliant PowerPistol can be loaded in every pistol cartridge that I know of. I use it in .380 all the way to .500. Truly is not my first choice for all pistol calibers but its the only powder that I know of that works well in all pistol calibers.

Power Pistol will also cycle a 30Carbine and works fine in 30-30 and 30-06 (cast loads).
One day I'll have to try Unique, if I can find it!

[Big_Blue]

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is a good place to start

You are right. I had only looked on their web site. Thanks,

[Digital Dan]

or disturbing

I have that effect on people sometimes.

[Trinidad Bill]

Pistol - Unique
Rifle - Unique
Shotgun - Unique

I even found and paid dearly for 8lbs on Cabelas several months ago! I should have went for 16.

[6bg6ga]

Pistol - Unique
Rifle - Unique
Shotgun - Unique

I even found and paid dearly for 8lbs on Cabelas several months ago! I should have went for 16.

And you guys wonder why its getting hard to find some powders

[dragon813gt]

And you guys wonder why its getting hard to find some powders

Because he bought 8#s and thought about buying 16#s. You would hate me if I told you how I order

[jonp]

And you guys wonder why its getting hard to find some powders

Hence the reason for the poll. This is what I expect is happening. General purpose powders like Unique, 2400 etc are very hard to come by but you can seem to find specialized stuff out there that work in a few calibers.

[jmort]

I have no trouble back-ordering Unique and Blue Dot and get in them a few weeks later. BTW, except for Unique, Blue dot is most useful and should have been on list. More versatile than anything else listed except Unique.