FBI Duplicate load with AA5

38SPL HV

38SPL HV

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...a nice FBI 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP duplicate load is 6.2 grs of AA5 using Speer’s 158 gr SWCHP. This load obtained an avg 809 FPS in my 1 1 7/8 inch S&W 637 this morning albeit, only five shots.

AA5 burns cleanly at +P velocities and the 6.2 grs load is controllable in the J frame Airweight. Has less “bark” than Power Pistol. AA5 measures great as well.

Enjoy.
 
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Never picked AA5 up but I have read a lot of good things about it, for a fast burning powder.

I believe that you like it better than the Power Pistol, "Flame thrower" powder, which is just a little less in noise level than Longshot powder.
I never did like "Fire Balls" going out the end of my barrels, one reason I did not ever pick up any PP or W291 type powders.

Glad to see that your first outing was a success with the new powder. Always nice to find a powder that burns clean and is easier on the clean up part of the game.

Have fun.
 
AA #5 is one of my favorite propellants, especially for .38 Super and 9x23 Win high pressure loads. Very uniform metering. About the highest bulk density available.
"... for a fast burning powder." Actually, it's on the slow side, slower than Herco, slightly faster than Blue Dot.
 
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AA#5 is the only powder I use anymore for standard loads in .44 spl .38 spl, 9mm, 40SW and .45ACP.
I use AA#9 in my .44 mags.
 
As I mentioned earlier, I have found that AA #5 is the ideal propellant for the 9x23 Win, and I have tested about every propellant there is. 8.8 grains will drive a 124 grain FMJ close to 1500 ft/sec from a 5" barrel. True .357 Mag performance from a M1911. Don't try it with .38 Super cases, you need 9x23 Win cases which are much stronger, and use SR primers. I haven't tried it, but if I wanted to get full .357-level performance using .38 Special cases in a .357 revolver, AA #5 would probably do it with ease.
 
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DWalt said:
AA #5 is one of my favorite propellants, especially for .38 Super and 9x23 Win high pressure loads. Very uniform metering. About the highest bulk density available.
"... for a fast burning powder." Actually, it's on the slow side, slower than Herco, slightly faster than Blue Dot.
Click to expand...

Well that does make sense to me, since the 6.2 grs of AA5 is between my
Unique and Blue Dot powder amounts that give me a +P load spec in my 2" snub nose 38 special.

I was under the impression that it was in the Red dot/w231 speed burning zone. Nice to add that info to the info logs.
Thanks.
 
Nevada Ed said:
Well that does make sense to me, since the 6.2 grs of AA5 is between my
Unique and Blue Dot powder amounts that give me a +P load spec in my 2" snub nose 38 special.

I was under the impression that it was in the Red dot/w231 speed burning zone. Nice to add that info to the info logs.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

AA#5 is slower burning then either red dot or 231.
Here's a burn chart that gives a idea of the different speeds.
 

Attachments

ArchAngelCD said:
I have always used HS-6 to duplicate the FBI load. I have used AA#5 to produce Speer 135gr GDHP SB ammo with good success.
Click to expand...

Accurate powders are hard to find around here. Hodgdon seems to have the market. I did try a pound of #2 and really liked it. #9 is a favorite slow powder.
HS-6 is a favorite of mine, but seems to have disappeared. I bought 4lbs. of CFE-P and have been very happy with it. Delivers a bit more velocity than HS-6 and runs a bit cleaner.
 
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Today I chronographed same AA5 6.2 grs load and Speer bullet in the S&W 637 but using CCI-500 primers instead of WSP’s. Average velocity with CCI-500s was a bit lower, 786 FPS (mirrors the Federal 38G FBI load in my revolver). Overall, not a large or significant statistical difference between the primers, but I usually get more FPS with WSPs.
 
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38SPL HV said:
Today I chronographed same AA5 6.2 grs load and Speer bullet in the S&W 637 but using CCI-500 primers instead of WSP’s. Average velocity with CCI-500s was a bit lower, 786 FPS (mirrors the Federal 38G FBI load in my revolver). Overall, not a large or significant statistical difference between the primers, but I usually get more FPS with WSPs.
Click to expand...
This is why chronographing and checking for signs of excessive pressure when changing one component is important. It might not make much difference with loads that are well below maximum, but with maximum loads, it can be really important.
 
Another good AA#5 load

With Berry's 158 gr. Round point copper washed bullets, Fed sp match primers and a COA of 1.450 i use 5.8 gr. of AA#5:

686-4 2 1/2" 714 fps
66-4 2 1/2" 710fps
65-3 4" 809 fps
66 nd 4" 790 fps
686 nd 841 fps

Good accuracy.
 
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