which is dirtier ?

IMO it depends on whether you are loading powder puff loads or closer to full power loads. Both leave residue at the lower end of the load chart.

Bullseye leaves more soot than Unique with low power plinking/ target loads in my experience.

Both tend to run cleaner when you get closer to the top of the load data for a given cartridge.
 
I use Bullseye and Unique and cast lead bullets almost exclusively in all my handguns. They are both very dirty when used with cast bullets lubed with NRA Formula 50/50 Alox. The carbon (dirt) combines with the lube to make a hard Black grease in the guns after extensive firing. Nevertheless, that is what I use, that is what I put up with, that is what I am going to continue to use...I do not see it as a problem.
 
It's all about the pressure created by the load itself. And since Bullseye is a faster powder and creates more pressure more quickly (all else being equal, and never is), on balance, it's going to run cleaner.

Unique aka "flaming dirt." Heh, never get tired of that one.

To me, the comparison is apples and oranges. Any comparison between a fast powder and a medium burn rate powder is going to be skewed - they're two different animals.

The OP's question begs a follow up question - Why does it matter?

The two propellants don't have a lot of overlap or purpose interchangeability.
 
What he said ^^^^^

In the powder burn rate chart.....Bullseye is # 10 , Unique is # 57

( Hodgdon Universal is # 58 ...and in general Unique and Universal have similar uses )....

so sure, Bullseye will usually be cleaner....but it may make a difference where you are using it ... 9mm, .357 Mag, .44 Mag....etc..../ and Unique has a broader range of uses....from 9mm, .357 Mag...to 28ga and 20ga shotshells...
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Right now, I'm using a lot of Unique in .357 Mag....and yes its a little dirty...but the guns get cleaned after every range trip anyway....so it doesn't matter....
 
I recently loaded a bunch of 9mm with the new "re-formulated" Unique. While the old Unique burned very dirty, the new stuff was considerably cleaner. I was quite impressed. It's my new favorite for 9mm. I haven't used any Bullseye lately. I wonder if it has been "re-formulated" as well. It used to burn pretty dirty when I used it for 9mm and 39 spl.
 
While the old Unique burned very dirty, the new stuff was considerably cleaner.
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Right now, I'm pouring Unique out of a 1 lb canister I got in Nov '13 (It's almost empty and I have a couple in waiting I got a few months back). I would presume it's the new formulation. (I stopped using Unique for years, and then became re-acquainted with it due to the shortage.)

I've been loading Unique in 38+P and pretty warm 357 Mag. It seems to run clean in my applications. New formulation or not, it's all about loading up where their is sufficient pressure for proper ignition/combustion. This applies to all propellants.

I haven't used any Bullseye lately. I wonder if it has been "re-formulated" as well.
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I don't know. But I use a lot of Bullseye. Nothing behaves more consistently than Bullseye. Basically, it never runs sooty, but always runs "residuey." Bullseye leaves behind an extremely fine, almost oily textured residue. If less residue is important for whatever reason, then W231/HP-38 is the better choice. Me, I clean my guns after every use. As my father would say: "You shoot a gun; you clean a gun." Seems to solve the residue problem ;)

39 spl
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Hmm, new caliber!! :D
 
Pyrodex! :D


Both are filthy on the low end. I think Unique cleans up a little better than Bullseye as your loads get warmer, but even then, I'd call neither "clean".
 
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