Dude, you know I have Unique ... my first 150 re-loads for this silly 44 spl were a low (5.5 gr) of Unique. I've experimented with HP-38 as well, but only about a half pound left and have no need for it in any other caliber I load for. I normally keep a goodly supply of both Unique and 2400, but since Alliant powders have been "unobtanium" in my neck of the woods the last year and a half, I've been buying more of the AA powders (2, 5, 7 and 9) to keep on hand. The AA powders seem to work perfectly in my handguns, and AA#7 is magic in my 30-30 with cast bullets.
Today, I went ahead and loaded a box of 200 gr RNFP with 6.9 gr of AA#5 to shoot in the Bulldog. I'll at least find out how they work, whether the "somewhat inferior" revolver runs properly or not.
I don't think it has to do with my re-loads ... this is the only gun I've shot my re-loads through in my entire, extensive (choke, choke) 11 years of re-loading that has suffered from light strikes. Well, there was another - my old 336 faltered a bit ... finally determined the original firing pin had met E.O.L.
Right now, I've decided to just keep the Bulldog and consider it to be a well fitting, single action revolver ... and hope it goes bang when/if I need a follow-up double action shot. It does shoot well - when it shoots!
jd