Hodgen Universal Powder Potent and Flexible

Ganderite

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Universal Clays is now back on the shelves. It is made in Canada, not Australia. Hodgen is calling it "Universal", with no mention of Clays.

I have dozens of powers in the bunker; some of them by the 45 pound drum. I load dozens of different calibers and have done load development for most of them.

When it comes to handgun, most loads were developed for accuracy. Occasionally, I load for power, just for giggles.

I really prefer powders that measure through my powder throwers smoothly. Some flake powders bind up a thrower.

For accuracy pistol loads, I have been using a fast powder, TiteGroup. I just finished my third 8 pounder of TG. It is accurate, measures well and burns clean.

Before TiteGroup, I used IMR7625. It measured well and made accurate ammo. It is a medium speed powder, similar in speed to Unique. It has been discontinued.

Universal is also similar in speed to Unique. If you don't see load data for it, use the Unique Start data and develop from there. If you want to stock a minimum number of different powders, Universal is a good choice. It makes very good (accurate) medium power loads and can be used to make a fairly stout load. Although you will still need Blue Dot or Win 296 or H 110 for you max velocity fireball loads.

Some powders are great for max loads and high velocity. e.g. Win 296 or H 110 But these powders cannot be downloaded to moderate pressure. They only work at high pressure.

Unique got its name because when it was introduced it was unique. It worked well at max pressure and also worked well at medium pressure. Universal is about the same speed, meters much better and seems to have a broad and useful load range.

I just made a batch of 44 Mag and 45 Colt ammo with cast bullets. Best accuracy I ever had.

44 Mag 240 SWC 9.0 g Univ. 1,040 fps

45 Colt 255 SWC 8.0 g Univ 900 fps

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Good to know about this relative to Unique...since the latter is hard to find and much more expensive now that some is available. And just for clarity's sake...because I am one of those who was constantly confused by the use of "clays" with more than one powder...I have a cannister of Universal (Clays), this is the same as the new Universal (no Clays)?
 
Good to know about this relative to Unique...since the latter is hard to find and much more expensive now that some is available. And just for clarity's sake...because I am one of those who was constantly confused by the use of "clays" with more than one powder...I have a cannister of Universal (Clays), this is the same as the new Universal (no Clays)?

Yes, except your bottle was probably made in Australia. When you buy the next bottle, you should Chrony a sample of both to see if there is any velocity/pressure difference. It would not surprise me to find a change of a tenth of a grain was required.
 
Besides pistol cartridges, I have also used Universal to load low-powered plinking rounds for .303 and 7.5 Swiss.
 
I've tries it for pistol (9mm, .40S&W) but find it too dirty/smoky with a harsh recoil versus other powders I use such as Titegroup, WSF, or CFE Pistol. I do have 1/2 a pound as backup in the cabinet.
 
I've tries it for pistol (9mm, .40S&W) but find it too dirty/smoky with a harsh recoil versus other powders I use such as Titegroup, WSF, or CFE Pistol. I do have 1/2 a pound as backup in the cabinet.

Did you Chrony your loads?

I have never run a test of felt recoil of the same bullets at the same velocity with different powders. Logic says that if the bullet is the same, and at the same velocity, the recoil will be about the same.

Maybe the "harsh recoil" is just more velocity?
 
Thanks Ganderite. But im bit confused. There is no mention on the website. I just bought 5 bottles of clays and it was standard issue. The load data for 12g doesnt exist for this new bottle.
For us shotgun shooters, Clays in 12g is standard issue and universal is standard issue for 20 and 28g. This will ruffle some feathers no doubt.
Win 296 and H110 are the same powders.
 
Thanks Ganderite. But im bit confused. There is no mention on the website. I just bought 5 bottles of clays and it was standard issue. The load data for 12g doesnt exist for this new bottle.
For us shotgun shooters, Clays in 12g is standard issue and universal is standard issue for 20 and 28g. This will ruffle some feathers no doubt.
Win 296 and H110 are the same powders.

Your post explains why they have changed the name of the powders a bit. They used to offer CLAYS, INTERNATIONAL CLAYS AND UNIVERSAL CLAYS (fastest to slowest). The word CLAYS in all three names was causing confusion. If one bought a can of CLAYS, but used Universal data, the gun could kaboom.

I think they now call the slower powders just "International" and "Universal". I think this was a good idea.
 
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