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Old 11-15-2011, 07:45 PM
shil shil is offline
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Default Accurate No.5

Hi. Has anyone tried Accurate No.5 for .38 Special standard-pressure loads with a 158gr. cast semi-wadcutter? If so, how do you like it? I'm wanting to try something that meters better than Unique (I do like that powder, though), a bit faster-burning than Power Pistol, and slower than W231.
I also want to eat my cake and have it, too.
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Old 11-15-2011, 09:34 PM
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Few powders meter as well as AA-5. I shoot a lot of their stuff, and sometimes wonder why I don't use their powders for everything.
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Old 11-15-2011, 10:23 PM
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I have never used it for .38 but have used it for hundreds of mid range .357s (140gr @just over 1,000) and in high performance .45 ACP and 9mm.

Got 850 with a 230 FMJ and 1130 with a 124gr XTP respectively.
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Old 11-15-2011, 10:35 PM
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I use a LOT of AA#5 in my .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Most of my .38 Spl is loaded with either Unique or AA#2 simply because I have an 8 pound keg of each to draw from.
There is a great deal to enjoy about AA powders!
Randy
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Old 11-15-2011, 11:43 PM
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It has been a while since I used AA#5 in a 38 special, 2008 to be exact, but according to my records it did provide great accuracy. I have used AA#5 in quite a few different calibers, but mostly for mid-range (900 to 1000 fps) loads in .41 and .44 mag. One of the reasons I like this powder is the way it meters. I really should go back to it just for the consistency.
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Old 11-15-2011, 11:43 PM
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I have used AA#5 in replica Speer +P loads but usually use W31 for standard pressure .38's. If you're looking for something slower than W231 i see no reason why AA#5 won't do a good job for you.

I use mostly Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR powders because that's what is available where I live. To tell the truth I would gladly use AA handgun powders if they were available in my area.
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Old 11-16-2011, 01:01 AM
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I load 38 spl, 40, 44 spl, (very)light 44 mag, and 45 acp with AA#5. It's not perfect for everything but it works well enough for me. AND it meters like a dream.
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Old 11-16-2011, 08:28 AM
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I use AA#5 with Speer LSWCHP's. I use 6.2 grains. According to the Speer book this puts it at the bottom of their +p loads or the top of their regular loads. I like the way it shoots.
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Old 11-16-2011, 10:07 AM
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In the past I've used AA2, 5, 7 and 9. For 9mm, .45acp, 10mm and 44 Mag and probably .357.

Like the guy said above, don't know why I don't use it more often...it's been good to me over the years.

Some of my favorite 9mm and .45acp use AA5, I haven't tried it yet in .38 Special, however it is on the agenda.

They have a free online download for their data...very helpful.
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Old 11-16-2011, 06:02 PM
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Thanks for your input, Everyone. I'm going to try a pound, when I can find it. My local pusher has stopped carrying Accurate, for some reason.
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Old 11-16-2011, 09:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shil View Post
Thanks for your input, Everyone. I'm going to try a pound, when I can find it. My local pusher has stopped carrying Accurate, for some reason.
Probably for the same reason they don't sell in my area. Not enough demand because not many people know anything about Accurate powders.
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Old 11-16-2011, 10:13 PM
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I have 38spl 158 cast loads using 5.8g of AA-5 clocking around 800 out of a 4" M-19 and 850 fps out of a 6" M-686. I think those are right at the max range of current AA published data, so best to work up from a lower start load.

Last edited by 125JHP; 11-16-2011 at 10:18 PM.
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Old 11-16-2011, 11:03 PM
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Looks like a group of us here in PA, I'm in the Allentown area, are all having difficulty finding dealers who stock the Accurate powders. That is the reason I moved on to other powders.
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Old 11-17-2011, 02:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wantmoresmiths View Post
Looks like a group of us here in PA, I'm in the Allentown area, are all having difficulty finding dealers who stock the Accurate powders. That is the reason I moved on to other powders.
And the problem runs all the way up from Allentown to the Scranton area. The rifle powders are even harder to find than the pistol powders.
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Old 11-17-2011, 11:59 AM
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Your PA dealers may all belong to the same "Buying Group", and the Buying Group can't get a good enough price on Accurate Powder to continue to distribute it.
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Old 11-17-2011, 02:43 PM
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I've used 5.8gr AA#5 under a 158gr LSWC and 158gr LRN in .38 Special cases; it's a little stout for a 'standard pressure' .38, maybe more like a 'full pressure' .38 or a low-end .38+P. Nice and accurate, though.

I also like it in full power .44 Special and .45ACP loads.
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Old 11-29-2011, 11:11 PM
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To you guys in PA (Scranton/ Allentown), Shyda's in Lebanon carries all (pistol/rifle) Accurate powders. Not exactly around the corner from you, but still do-able. Excellent prices too.
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Old 11-30-2011, 02:32 AM
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To you guys in PA (Scranton/ Allentown), Shyda's in Lebanon carries all (pistol/rifle) Accurate powders. Not exactly around the corner from you, but still do-able. Excellent prices too.
Thank you, I'll keep them in mind if I'm in the area...
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Old 12-01-2011, 11:33 AM
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AA5 is a very high bulk density powder, and works best in smaller capacity cases. It is a superb powder for .38 Super and 9X23 Winchester if you want to get the highest MV. I have no trouble in exceeding 1400 fps using 124 grain bullets in the 9X23.
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Old 12-01-2011, 04:30 PM
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Gander Mountain had some on sale awhile back, for $10.00/pound. I bought 4 lbs. Bought some $12.00/ pound 2015, too. I use it in .45 Acp and lead bullets. Amazing shot to shot velocity. 10 shots and the high to low spread was 7 fps! What more can you say, Great Powder.
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Old 12-01-2011, 08:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard View Post
Your PA dealers may all belong to the same "Buying Group", and the Buying Group can't get a good enough price on Accurate Powder to continue to distribute it.
Your PA dealers probably get their stock from the same wholesaler - Jerry's, whose main warehouse is in Scranton area.
Jerry's has discontinued the Accurate powders.
LT

Last edited by Linear Thinker; 12-01-2011 at 11:51 PM.
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Old 12-01-2011, 11:20 PM
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I tried AA #5 with at least three cast bullet designs in the .38 Special a number of years ago. According to my notes, none of the loads compared with Bullseye and 231 from an accuracy standpoint. As someone mentioned, however, it does meter well through a measure.
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Old 12-02-2011, 03:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linear Thinker View Post
Your PA dealers probably get their stock from the same wholesaler - Jerry's, whose main warehouse is in Scranton area.
Jerry's has discontinued the Accurate powders.
LT
You are correct, most dealers do use Jerry's as their supplier. I thought things would get better with them when they sold out and moved to a different warehouse but some things never change!
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Old 12-02-2011, 11:08 AM
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I use it occasionally and it is a good powder. I also like No. 9 for my 357 loads. Only problem I have with them is they leak out of my Lee pro auto disk powder measure. They are very fine powders.
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