JMPhotog Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 I have a container of Hodgdon Universal, not clays, just Universal. I use Bullseye for my IDPA loads and I am happy with it. But I have a container of Universal and right now I only load 45. I don't see many recipes for 45. Should I even bother, or save it for when I start loading 9mm in a few months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowfin Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Hodgdon's website lists loads for it quite nicely, just with a couple of weird OAL's in some of them but correct charge weights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMPhotog Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 Hodgdon's website lists loads for it quite nicely, just with a couple of weird OAL's in some of them but correct charge weights. That was about the only data I did see. The manuals I have do not list any data for it with 45 and 230's or 200's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiggerJJ Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 The best way I describe Universal Clays is that it's "harsh". Works great in shotgun, but to me it's not ideal for pistol. If it's all you have...ok. But I would find something else. jmho jj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taadski Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 No experience in .45, but I shot it for a couple years in a minor 9mm load and really like it. Only reason I switched was availability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I'd save it for the 9mm, they work better with a slower powder than a .45 ACP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8ring Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I agree with Steve RA. I got large extreme velocity spreads with Universal in 45 acp unless it was loaded to the max. OTOH, Universal worked quite nicely for me with 124gr jacketed bulls in 9mm. It was not quite as "soft" as Titegroup, but burned cleanly, was accurate in my gun, and burned cooler than Titegroup. By the way, get the Hodgdon "Annual Manual" for thousands of rifle and pistol loads with all Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders. A new edition comes out each December or January and it contains many times the number of loads you will see through online sources. The current edition is probably available through Amazon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatman73 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 5 grains of universal with a 230 grain bullet works well for me. If you load it with 200 grain bullets at can be a bit harsh. I like the push universal gives, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7mmb Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 I use it with 200gr RNs. It meters great in my Uniflow with micro adjuster and it is very clean. I suppose it is a bit harsh but it sure is accurate. I also shoot 357 Magnum with 296 and Ruger-only 45 Colt with 4227 so 45 Auto with Universal doesn't seem that harsh to me. Guess it's what you're used to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatman73 Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 It's more of the recoil impulse I guess. I like it with a heavier bullet in 45. I just bought 8 lbs I'll have that for a good while. A 158 grain bullet in a 357 case with 5.7 grains of universal is super accurate out of a smith I have. Yeah I like universal Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmaximusd Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Just last week I compared Universal, CFE Pistol, and Longshot under 200 grain Xtreme bullets and found Universal to be the least accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPatton Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I don't know how much Universal you have on hand but I haven't been able to buy Univ. for over a year. Unless you have a lot of it I wouldn't even bother to work up a 45 load for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njl Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Unless you want full power (heavy recoil) loads for clearing bowling pin tables, see if you can trade it to someone for a faster powder like regular Clays, WST, Red Dot / Promo. I tried it in .45 with 230gr FMJ, and was not happy. I love it in 9mm with 124-147gr bullets though. It behaves totally differently there, and really needs high pressure to burn properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruleyoutoo1911 Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Unless you want full power (heavy recoil) loads for clearing bowling pin tables, see if you can trade it to someone for a faster powder like regular Clays, WST, Red Dot / Promo. I tried it in .45 with 230gr FMJ, and was not happy. I love it in 9mm with 124-147gr bullets though. It behaves totally differently there, and really needs high pressure to burn properly. I agree, since it's a slower powder I never tried it in .45 and I saved it for 9mm. Had pretty good results in 9mm with 125 gr bullet, I believe I was loading 3.8 grains of Universal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwhpfan Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I've used it. I made up some "Minor .45" a couple years ago. It worked OK. Not as good as Bullseye for that purpose. I think I'd save it for 9mm myself. When it was available it was one of the more popular powders in my area for guys shooting 147's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now