Anyone else have problems with H. Universal in 45Acp

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone else have problems with H. Universal in 45Acp

Posted: 8/10/2011 11:11:11 AM EDT

It seem like ever time I shoot the Universal it leaves unburned powder and residue all over my arms and face, I have seen a few unburned powder flakes in my barrel too,

The stuff seems to light off ever time, but I think it might be kinda bad, It is older powder from about 92-94, I have 9Lbs

BTW Last time I shot Unique I almost puked as the fumes were so nauseous

I am thinking about buying some new powder but then my 45s wont be .13 a peice, I am only paying for bullets at this point

Posted: 8/10/2011 11:27:48 AM EDT

[#1]

i havent used the powder that u mentioned, but in general not all of the powder burns in a pistol. the barrel is very short in comparison to a rifle. I sweep up at the local range for brass and there is usually a good handful of unburned powder. I personally have switched to hodgdon clays for 45. light recoil and cheap. and doesnt have fumes to make u sick.

wish u luck

lojack

Posted: 8/10/2011 11:38:11 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
It seem like ever time I shoot the Universal it leaves unburned powder and residue all over my arms and face, I have seen a few unburned powder flakes in my barrel too,

The stuff seems to light off ever time, but I think it might be kinda bad, It is older powder from about 92-94, I have 9Lbs

BTW Last time I shot Unique I almost puked as the fumes were so nauseous

I am thinking about buying some new powder but then my 45s wont be .13 a peice, I am only paying for bullets at this point

Out of curiosity what is you exact load and what is your barrel length?

Posted: 8/10/2011 12:48:36 PM EDT

[#3]

5 Inch 1911,

CCI #300
5.8 Grain 230GrFMJ
or
6.6 Gr under 200Gr HP

Kinda light loads, but thats how Ilike em

On a side note, The can Says Hodgdon Universal Clays
Edit: I use a Speer Book for the powders that I have that are of the same age as the book,
The UNI Clays Ihave is as old as the book, New charges are alot less in modern books

Posted: 8/10/2011 12:56:59 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
It seem like ever time I shoot the Universal it leaves unburned powder and residue all over my arms and face, I have seen a few unburned powder flakes in my barrel too,

The stuff seems to light off ever time, but I think it might be kinda bad, It is older powder from about 92-94, I have 9Lbs

BTW Last time I shot Unique I almost puked as the fumes were so nauseous

I am thinking about buying some new powder but then my 45s wont be .13 a peice, I am only paying for bullets at this point

I just loaded up 100 rounds using Universal at 6.0/6.3grs under a 200gr plated FP Berry type bullets. This powder is easily pre 1997, as it has a $12.99 sticker on it from a place that went under around that time.

I was going to go shoot the Norinco 1911 today, but didn't get around to it. Maybe tomorrow, but I'll keep an eye out.

Chris

Posted: 8/10/2011 3:58:00 PM EDT

[#5]

My pistol gets a little dirty from 5.6gr of Universal under a Hornady 230gr HAP, but I don't think I end up wearing much of the powder.

This is from new'ish (less than 1 yr old) powder.

Posted: 8/10/2011 5:12:51 PM EDT

[#6]

I've never used Universal in .45, but I've found that in the 9mm rounds I've loaded with it, that unless the loads are loaded to close to factory velocity, there is evidence of unburned powder. I believe that Universal needs higher pressure to burn completely.

If you find a load that lets it burn well, it's a great powder. I've found it to burn very clean in 9mm with the right loads.

Posted: 8/10/2011 5:17:10 PM EDT

[#7]

If you want clean, try Vihta Vuori powders. Yeah, I know, it costs something like $7 more per thousand rounds.

Posted: 8/10/2011 5:23:21 PM EDT

[#8]

I tried Universal in 45 ACP with my cast 230 gr LRN's.

Powder is new and I tried 5.2 grs and 5.5 grs.

I was looking for a light easy shooting load and the 5.2 gr was what I liked.

My notes show the 5.5 gr load had more recoil than I wanted.

Didn't notice any unburned powder problem.

Are you crimping your loads?

Posted: 8/10/2011 5:51:58 PM EDT

[#9]

crimp if you haven't already, increase crimp if you crimp. If it still persists, up the powder charge. There is probably soot on one side of the fired case am I right?
I have the same problem. I think what happens is the load is too light to fully expand the brass inside the chamber, failing to make a good seal. The other could be the
bullet is seated loosely that it leaves the barrel before all the powder gets burnt. Therefore the crimping suggestion.

Let us know how it works out for ya.

Posted: 8/11/2011 2:54:27 AM EDT

[#10]

I had no luck with it . I tried , 9mm, .45acp , .38spl , .45lc and 12ga . It sucked in everything . I don't know if I had a bad bottle of powder or what . Heavy crimps , max loads , etc didn't help with the unburnt powder every where even in the shotguns with buckshot loads . Swapped over to clays for shotguns and tightgroup for nearly all pistol loads and have been more than happy . Hope you find a use for it as I was only out a 1# botttle .

Posted: 8/11/2011 12:33:17 PM EDT

[#11]

well looks like i'm changing powder too, as soon as i use up this unique

Posted: 8/12/2011 8:49:51 AM EDT

[#12]

I use QuickLoad to run a variety of loads, then books, then other sources. What QL tells me that the books don't is % of powder burned.

I use HP38 and in a 5" barrel, I am near 99% burn rate.

Using Power Pistol, I get maybe 70%

I can tell the difference in PP as it does leave various and sundry deposits on my arms. HP38, not as much.

Best Wishes on the new powder.

Posted: 8/12/2011 12:21:26 PM EDT

[#13]

If you're going for a light load, use a different powder than H Universal.

In my experience, I shoot almost exclusively 230gn LRN bullets, and H Universal will burn inefficiently at lighter pressures, so I load mine on the hot end of the spectrum.

H Universal will also smoke notably more than other powders like Titegroup, etc.

I'd recommend Titegroup as an alternative. I use H Universal because I can use the same powder for nearly all my pistol loads, and even my shotgun loads so I only have to stock up on 3 or 4 powders to meet all my pistol, rifle, and shotgun needs for every caliber and bullet type.

YMMV.

Also, if you like shooting cast lead, H Universal will make most lead bullet lubes smoke A LOT!!!

Posted: 8/13/2011 6:59:38 PM EDT

[#14]

It needs a reasonable amount of pressure in order to burn fully. I wound up jamming a Wilson with unburnt powder the one time I tried to do reduced-velocity loads with universal. I've switched back to good old bullseye for my .45 loads.

Posted: 8/14/2011 2:36:22 AM EDT

[#15]

Sorry Ive been out of here, a few days.

Yes I crimp my loads, about .002 worth on the bullet, I am not really looking for reduced loads, but I do like em softer just for plinking. I can deal with a little powder on my arm, but I was just wondering what every one else has found.
I may try a hotter charge just to see what happens

Posted: 8/14/2011 4:05:51 AM EDT

[#16]

I had the same issues you speak of with the unique in 45 until i shortened up my OAL (I was originally loading at the long end of the spectrum). Once I shortened them up a bit to 1.250ish and set my factory crimp alittle bit heavier I havent had any issues... Still alittle dirty, but Im not covered in unburnt powder and no fumes....

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone else have problems with H. Universal in 45Acp

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