substitutes for Alliant unique and 2400 in magnum pistols

[mickbr]

Ran into two powders for sale Id had no previous experience with.

vihtavuori n330 which according to data and anecdotes seems to be similar or slightly slower than unique. Anyone ever tried it?

and the shotgun powder alliant 410 for which no pistol data exists but a lot of reports from fellas over at castboolits that in 44mag, 454 casull it runs within 50fps of 2400 velocities. Alliant says 410 powder is apparently not recommended for extreme cold weather where it gets spikey pressures. Not really a concern for me.

Thinking of trying them in the 357 and also 480 when the time comes for low power and high-midpower loads.

[Ray]

When I got low of unique I found 4 pounds of vectan AO but it turns out to be as fast as 231/hp38 but bulkier. Already had plenty of red dot for and imr target for the faster stuff so no joy there.

When I got under 4 pounds of 2400 I bought acc. TCM, alliant steel and shooters world heavy and am getting by.....the heavy is showing promise. Steel and tcm not so much.....

[Blaine]

FWIW, 2400 and Blue Dot are next to each other on the burn rate chart. I love my Blue Dot. You can get close to H110 using much less of it.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Substitutes for Unique and 2400!!!! Perish the thought!

I've heard that Universal is very much like Unique.

[Larkbill]

Another vote for Blue Dot, great for big boy loads in my .45 Colt.

Haven't used it lately, but in .357 Mag and Max when I was still shooting IHMSA I had good luck with RE7.

Winchester Super Field has been available around here and I use it and Unique in my 20 ga target loads. It might be a good choice as a Unique substitute in pistol cartridges.

[Rockrat]

Ramshot True Blue possibly in place of BD and been reading about Alliant 20/28 being slightly faster than Unique. Also, don't discount Universal Clays for Unique

[marlinman93]

I hope my supply of both Unique and 2400 never runs out! But I've had good luck with all the "dot" powders too. Red, Green and Blue Dot are all powders I've used more in handguns than in shotguns.

[jdad]

The only VV powder I have found that mimics 2400 is N110. You can actually load much hotter loads with it than 2400, but I've never had the need, urge, etc. N110 will also have significantly less flash, blast, and soot than 2400.

[mickbr]

CFE pistol seems to be in the same general range as unique

Ive seen pistol data for 20/28 showing it matches Unique almost grain for grain.

[765x53]

I like IMR 4227 for my .44 magnums. I save my 2400 for my .357 magnum loads.

[jnyork]

When I was shooting IHMSA, I shot thousands of rounds of .44 Mag through a Ruger revolver, experimented with different powders and found Blue Dot to be the most accurate while delivering plenty of "oomph" to knock down the Rams. I use it today in my 44-40 for Pistol Caliber Lever Action silhouette, again the most accurate.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

I've used N330 in a 45ACP a bit. It's a good powder for it, but I use a lower charge weight with it than Unique. I believe that indicates it is faster burning than Unique.

A good substitute if he still has it, is BR-5 from GI-Brass. It's some type of military powder that in my experience is pretty close to Unique.

[2ndovc]

For my heavier .44 Magnum handloads I've always used Win. 296. For what it's worth, a gunsmith I know told me that 2400 was harder on the revolvers than 296. It's been in stock around here more than 2400 but who knows about the rest of the country.

jb

[mickbr]

Substitutes for Unique and 2400!!!! Perish the thought!

Not replacements Scott, just substitutes