I would like to hear about anyone's experiences w/ AA2, AA5, AA7, or AA9.

Do they offer any particular advantages?
Any disadvantages?
I would assume that they meter well being ball powders, right?
Do they ignite easily or need magnum primers?
Do they burn hotter or cooler than other powders?
Are they even tempered or do they have pressure spikes?
Are they accurate/consistant?

I have used a number of Alliant and Hodgdon powders before, but wondered how Accurate's offerings compared.

I load the following:
9mm
38 Special
357 Mag
44 Special
44 Mag
45 Auto

Thanks,
Mark in GA

AA powders are not my favorite, but they do have their uses. AA#7 makes one of the best 9mm loads I have tried. It is not economical compared to other powders, but offers excellent velocity and accuracy. AA#7 and #9 can also be good for certain magnum loadings, and 10mm. I show a higher SD with these powders compared to others in my chrony data though.

If your current powders are doing everything you need, then AA powders will do nothing more for you. If you really want to try them out, they are not bad at all and can be excellent in the right load.

I love AA2520 in .308 so when I got into loading .45 and 9MM I decided to try AA No. 5.

I started out with 8.3 grains in .45 under 230gr FMJ. They're accurate but are also as heavy as I want to go. Fine in my 1911 but I get a little breechface marking on the case heads in my Taurus PT745 so I'll probably back down one chamber on my Lee Auto Disk. Should yield about 7.9 grains.

For 9MM I settled on 6.1 grains with a 124gr XTP. Works fine in both my CZ and Sigma and quite accurate.

I've managed to come up with a .357 load using it under a cast 140gr SWC. 8.5 grains. That's 12 rounds double action from 10 yards away in the photo.

I've never found it to need magnum primers and it isn't real dirty. It does leak out of the standard Auto Disk but the pro series with the elastomer wiper is OK.

I have read that its burn rate is close to Unique so I may try it with cast in my 9MM and .45.

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I bought a 4 lb jug of AA9C (not AA9) a while back.

When I called them to ask about loads for it, they were very snotty, wanted to know where I got it, etc. At that point, I wouldn't have told them anything but I got it from the same wholesale gun supply place that I bought all my other stuff from.

It worked fine. The same charge weight of AA9C produced almost exactly the same velocity out of my guns as my 2400 loads with a little bit less shot-to-shot variation and burns a bit cleaner, too.

That is the only AA powder I have any experience with.

Personally, I think Accurate Arms pistol powders are second to none.

All of the good things you mention about a powder, they do. They are formulated for a purpose and they work exceptionally well in their designated category.

In 38Spl, 45ACP and other target loads, AA#2 is the cat's meow. Meters like a dream in most automated powder drops and is as clean burning as something that burns can be.

Take it to the next level in those calibers, +P in each and AA#5 is par excellent! It also works very well in 40S&W and other high pressure semi auto loads.

As has been said, AA#7 has some special semi auto applications, heavy bullets in 9mm, 40S&W and the 10MM but it works very well in the 357Mag with medium for caliber bullets too. 158gr or so.

Moving on to the magnums, 44Mag and bigger and AA#9 will give you loads like I just shot the other day, 250gr Keith LSWC out of a M629 Classic with a 5" barrel developing over 1400fps!


With the 454 or 460 and above, there are other powders but for things below that, from AA#2 to AA#9, you will find a powder to do what you want, period.

Now as a caveat, don't try to make AA#5 work in loads that you should use AA#2 for. You won't be happy.

I have shot a bunch of 45ACP with AA#2 in competition and have placed in the top 10 almost every time. (Of course, there are generally only 11 shooters! (Just kidding!))

I'm thinking of trying 7 with that cast 140 in .357 but I've had such success with 5 in the load I haven't been motivated to tinker.

Oh, but dear friend, the handloader is designed to tinker!

These have become my go to powders.
They meter well, burn very clean, I really like them.
I find # 5 to be as handy as Unique, but cleaner and
meters better, what is not to like !
I also use 1680 a lot in 454 Casull and 357 maximum.

True but that takes away from building a good load in volume.

How about the magnum primers? Required or not really?

Given the calibers that I load, if I had AA2, AA5, and AA9 what would I really need AA7 for?

Thanks
Mark in GA

Hey, my manners! Where are they? Mark, welcome to the forum!

I only use magnum primers if the recipe calls for them, unless, that is all I have on hand!

Not needed most of the time though. Check with Accurate's data though.
AA#7 would be a "tweener" for you. You may not need it.

I have it on hand because I have some 9mm 147gr loads that use it.

Most of my experience with Accurate powders is with AA#7 in heavy 9mm, heavy .40S&W and 10mm (1575 FPS from a 155 Gr. bullet out of a 4.75" barrel!).
I've also used #9 in heavy 10mm and .44 mag.

Excellent powder. Meters very well and my loads are very consistent as far as deviation and spread.
Makes accurate loads too! (as the name suggests...)

I hope this helps.

I was trying AA#7 for a 158 grain cast bullet in a .357 Marlin.
The results were not impressive at 25 yards.
So where did I go wrong? I had better luck with 7 grains of Unique with a 158 grain plated bullet.
I bought a pound of AA#7 to use in my 9MM with 147grain bullets.
I have discontinued trying to use 147grain bullets as 115JHP's and 124MC just seem to work better.
I do have 158 grain JHP Remington bullets which I use with 16 grains of H110 for the Marlin. I would like to use some AA#7 with this bullet.
Has anyone had good results with this powder in the Marlin?

Bruce

The only one I'm using is AA#5. The best thing I've found for jacketed bullets in the .45acp. Been using it for years.
I've recently been working on loads for my .38 Super and have settled on #5 for it as well.

I have had very good results with AA#9 in .44 magnum loads and AA#7 in full bore 10mm loads. I did not find #9 to be better than H110/W296 or 2400 for that matter but it was good.

"I was trying AA#7 for a 158 grain cast bullet in a .357 Marlin.
The results were not impressive at 25 yards."

Two comments here.

First, try AA#9.

Second, many times the microgroove rifling presents problems to cast bullet shooters and that might be the reason for your accuracy issues, especially since you seem to be getting good results with the Remington jacketed bullet. Some folks manage to get good accuracy with cast bullets in the micro-groove rifled Marlin barrels but they definitely seem to be persnickety.



Bruce

AA#5 was specifically designed for use in the .45 Auto so there's a thought.

I use AA#5 for replicating Speer 135gr Short Barrel .38 Special ammo.

AA powder for some reason don't require magnum primers even though they are ball powders.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

The microgroove barrels have been troublesome with cast for me too only not in 357Mag. My wife's Marlin is a Cowboy Special and it has Ballard rifling and shoots lead very well. The 44Mag ones, even with Ballard rifling have been problematic with lead only because the bore is so big, over .432".

My load for the 357Mag Marlin is from Brian Pearce's loads with Lil' Gun. It is over the maximum recommended by Hodgdon. It puts the 357Mag at 35Remington performance with a 158gr bullet, I use the XTP. My velocity is right at 2100fps and holds 2" @ 100 yards.

Reloading Data everything you need for AA powder reloading data. I uses AA #2, 5, 7, 9 for my handgun loads. I don't use any magnum primers. Just got 16 pounds of Number 5 powder from Grafs.

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S&WHF 366

AA-7 is a particular favorite for two specific loads. 9mm with Hdy 124 xtp, and 357 mag with 125 jhp. The 357 load is a "mid" level load (about 1200-1250 fps from 4 incher), the 9mm load gets milder plus p velocitys (1180 fps from BHP). While a magnum primer is not required for the loads used, AA-7 has been more accurate with the Fed mag primer.

AA-7 also used to be listed for plus p loads in 45 acp, but have not tried it yet

I've used AA#s 2, 5, 7 and 9, as well as 2223 and 2460 rifle powders. #7 was the first I ever used, for very hot 9mm loads and Major .38 Super loads. I stopped using it in Super after I heard that it was bad to accelerate barrel erosion, but I never confirmed that. I still use it in most all my 9x19 loads, although I switch to old standby Herco sometimes. I've loaded a lot of #5 in .40 S&W and a little in 9mm, and I like it almost as well as the more expensive Viht powders for .40. I've only loaded a little #2, that in .45 ACP and a little #9, in 10mm and .45 WinMag. I have had excellent results with all the AA pistol powders. I do use magnum primers with #9, and usually, small rifle primers with #7. #7 can be pretty dirty if you don't run it in fairly high pressure loads, but that hasn't been a problem for me, since I only use it in "off the charts" loads.

I've only loaded .223 and .308 with 2230 and 2460, with so-so accuracy results. To be fair, I've probably not experimented enough to give them a chance, since I was loading practice/blasting ammo.

Greetings
Have used 2 5 7 . When they were introduced they were very economical in 8# jugs. I like them.. they work ! Burn clean and do not do crazy things within the parameters.

I've tried a few AA powders and actually liked number 7 in the .41AE when I was shooting a lot of it, but other than that I wasn't too impressed.

My biggest problem is that it is too hard to find in my area and even if a store has it once it may not be stocked the next time I look for it.

I've used AA powder exclusively for about 25 years. They cover the same general range as other powders and meter great for progressive loading. Like other powder they're as economical or as expensive per round depending on your charges.

AA-7 powder is THE FUEL for the 30 Luger and 30 Mauser/7.62 x 25 Tokarev calibers--assuming there are any other Cranks Like Me who load these obscurities.

I've used #7 in various calibers and 5744 in my .444 Marlin.

The biggest problem I've found with their powders is availability and pricing. It's available locally, but far to expensive to buy, and when I've ordered with the club, the place they get it from rarely has it in stock, but decent priced on some of the AA powders. The last problem, is Accurate pricing on certain powders has increased to a point that may be anywhere from $2 to $5 per pound more than their competitors. At least, that's the way I see it- I'm going to buy the powder that will give me the most rounds for the money- if it shoots good.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

A dealer/target shooter talked me into buying a pound of Solo 1000 for .38spl and 158 gr swc lead bullets. This is an old, single base "shotgun" powder that AA says is used in 38 and 45 target, but they don't show much in actual load data. Found that 3.0 - 3.1 gr behind swaged 158 gr swc 38 is very mild, very accurate, very clean for punching closely grouped holed in paper. Have not compared to what I suppose are newer offerings like #5 or #7.

I tried #9 last spring. I have loads for 357 mag and 357 Sig. In the revolver it leaves what looks like termite dust all over the gun and my hands. Has anyone else experienced this?

I love AA powders, I use magnum primers in AA1680 for 460S&W even though AA data says LR, (BTW great accuracy with 250gr and 300gr projectiles). I used to us LR primers but I experienced a squib. As I was removing the bullet from the barrel out popped a large chunk of unburned powder that was yellow on one end. AA1680 burns slower than h110, and I don't know why AA doesn't list mag primers with 1680 460S&W Load Data?

[QUOTE=BillyWayne;135638053]I tried #9 last spring. I have loads for 357 mag and 357 Sig. In the revolver it leaves what looks like termite dust all over the gun and my hands. Has anyone else experienced this?[/QUOTE

Yes LOL, unburned powder.

Yes....like smithcrazy....I use #2 and #5 in my .38's and 9mm with good results....like them just fine.

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Semper Paratus

What a great thread, I load exactly the same calibers as Mark. Newest is 9mm. Dies arrived today. LGS shut down last month and I bought AA 2, 5, and 7 for ~$15 a pound. They had lots more, maybe I should have bought it all! Berry's 115 and 124 gr bullets are on the way, so 9x19 will be the first AA challenge.
Anybody using these in 44 Special?

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Yeah, i like #7 in 44 special, there is not alot of pistol cartridges that # 7 doesn't do well in! Definatly my go to powder.

#2 works very well for target velocity .38 Special loads. Some of the least extreme spreads I've encountered.

Solo 1000 can be a pain to work with, due to lot-to-lot variations. Solo can also be very rewarding in .38 Special for +P loads with excellent accuracy and modest recoil.