Unique

[JEBar]

info appreciated .... I will most certainly keep it in mind .... I could easily use Universal but not the Berrys plated bullets .... for our 45-70 we fire 300 gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertips

[GaHenryFan]

Universal is a great substitute, but not exact. There's plenty of data out there though. I have found it to be extremely versatile across a range of calibers, and economical to boot. It's sooty on the low end but very clean for medium to heavy loads.

[JEBar]

It's sooty on the low end but very clean for medium to heavy loads.

sooty on low end is a concern for what we will be loading .... info appreciated, will most certainly keep it i mind

[clovishound]

interesting .... I've never used Universal .... historically when I can't get Unique we switch to Bullseye

Nothing wrong with Bullseye, but it is a much different powder than Unique or Universal. Bullseye is a fast burning powder and gives good results in lighter loads. Unique and Universal are medium speed powders that have a wide range of applications.

[JEBar]

Bullseye is a fast burning powder and gives good results in lighter loads.

that is exactly what I would be using it to develop for both 44 Mag and 45-70

[clovishound]

If you can't get Bullseye, try Titegroup. It's a similar powder. Just be very careful not to run over max. Pressures spike quickly when you go over max.

[JEBar]

good to know about Titegroup .... I've heard of it but never used any .... as noted, being one who believed its best to practice with the same ammo you hunt with , I have long standing power selections and charge weights for our hunting ammo .... developing light loads is something new for me

[Mistered]

good to know about Titegroup

HA! I bought a can of TG a couple years ago to try and was always preoccupied with other loadings & stuff but finally got around to trying it (finally) a couple weeks ago.

Loaded some .45 ACP with 5 grains and 200 gr Laser Cast SWC bullets and excellent accuracy! 25-30 yard pinecones went flying nearly every shot !

I shot some paper and the 25 yard group was pretty tight but I ran out before I could really get serious.

I loaded some 9mm with it and hope to try it out this weekend.

I think Bullseye is a thing of the past!

[GaHenryFan]

that is exactly what I would be using it to develop for both 44 Mag and 45-70

12 grains of Universal under a 405gr cast bullet is a very nice load in 45-70. It gives me just under 1100 fps in my guide gun.

[JEBar]

12 grains of Universal under a 405gr cast bullet is a very nice load in 45-70. It gives me just under 1100 fps in my guide gun.

the charge table where I found recommendations for light 45-70 loads using Unique pushing 300 gr bullets shows 6.0 gr yields 940 fps and 10 gr yields 1370 fps .... last time I checked I believe HSM's cowboy action loads with 405 gr bullets have a muzzle of 1300 .... I've fired a bunch of them and they are fun to fire .... with the 300 gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertips we will be using, our ballistics program says that Zeroed at 100 yards the bullet will be

+1.1" at 25 yards

+2.4" at 50 yards

+2.0" at 75 yards

if that proves to be the case, I'd be very happy with the trajectory .... from 0 to 100 yards place the crosshairs at 6 o'clock and pull the trigger