Any opinions here?

Thewelshm

Accurate #9 and 2400 are similar slow burning powders that work best in full house loads. They cannot be compared to Unique, which is much faster burning and good for medium magnum loads.

I use 2400 for .357 full power. But if I dont find some more, I wont be for long.
For me, 2400 has out performed H110/w296 in every comparison (in revolvers anyway 4" & 6") .
less signs of over-preasure, less flame, and less recoil but higher velocity and accuracy.
I hear real good things about #9 in full power loads too, but I have no personal experience with it. Would love to get some though.

Cant speak for universal either.

It's been a long long time since I shot 2400. Back in the 70's and early 80's I shot it in 357 Mag and it worked well in my 27, but was dirty (for me at least). I swapped to Blue Dot for the 357 loads and found the BD to be much cleaner than 2400 and was more economical to load to boot. Then in the 90's I tried A #9 and found it to make real good, accurate 357 and 44 loads and metered better than BD. Nowadays I pretty much use 296/H110 and A #9 in 357 and 44 and still use BD too for 9 MM, 38 Special +P loads, 357 and light bullet 44 Mag.

Accurate #9 is a good magnum powder if you can find some.

You didn't say for use in what cartridge.

I think 2400 is more flexible, as far as downloadability. AA#9 is the only powder I ever had issues (squib) with. If you use it in full loads, with magnum primers, you're fine, but I prefer 2400.

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Waiting for the break of day

I don't have any 2400, in fact I cannot remember EVER seeing 2400. However I do load with both #9 and H110. H110 is a great powder for 357 Magnum Rifle loads, in that application you get a complete burn and it is quite accurate. Out of a revolver I find H110 to be a bit to way too "boomy" with excessive muzzle flash with lighter bullets. Cannot speak to the accuracy out of a revolver because I just don't shoot 357 Magnum revolvers well enough to know. My go to powders for 357 Magnum revolver loads are #5, #7, and #9. With heavier bullets of 140 grains and up #9 produces a good relatively low flash load with a crisp report than doesn't have the "BAHOOM" of H110. As for the accuracy, can't really say because I still don't shoot the 357 Magnum as well as would be required to judge the accuracy.

I use #9 for full power 10 mm and 44 magnum. I'd say it's a clean burning powder and I've never had problems lighting it with a WLP primer.

What I really like about it is the very consistent throws I get from my RCBS powder measure. Over time as I deplete my stick powder supplies I'm replacing them with ball powders, just for that reason. Getting too lazy to weigh individual charges, shame on me.

2400 does a great job for m, exactly what I want. But if there is something that will do that job better, I'd like to see it. I like Accurate powders but haven't tried #9, but I will when some is available. Accurate #7 seems to be good but I haven't used it enough to know for sure how it performs. Alliant may have to work up some new products to market.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

AA#9 is about equal to 2400 in performance. Charges can be different. One or the other will give best performance in individual revolvers. The main difference is that #9 burns clean and doesnt get under the S&W extractor. The S&W is tightly fitted there and I have had quite a few tied up cylinders with 2400, IMR4227 and WW296/H110. Not a problem for the first cylinder full. If you expect to have to do a fast reload with full loads, then go with the #9, IMHO.

The problem right now is that #9 is hard to get. Havent seen any in a long time. Hopefully that will change soon.

IME, #9 requires the use of a heavy for caliber bullet to get the best burn. Squibs can occur with low pressure loads even some from AA's load books. The have fixed this for newer versions but the older books are still out there. I love the stuff in magnum loads. I like 2400 as it is so versatile for rifle cast loads and pistol loads. Unique is unique for it's versatility though I think it is at it's best with medium pressure loads,

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Front sight and squeeze

I use magnum primers in all my loadings anymore, just work them up like any other change in components.
I also use Winchester in LP, they are interchangeable for magnum or regular
loads.

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John

I load AA#9 only for .357 Magnum using 158 gr. jacketed bullets. It's the best powder I've tested for near full power loads to full power. My secret load for 158 Hornady XTP's is 13 grains of AA#9 and I use CCI 500 primers with no issues. The Accurate Manual No. 1 tested all .357 mag loads using AA#9 with standard not magnum primers. Later data they use magnum primers. I shoot the same loads in a rifle and 7 1/2" barreled handgun. Way back in the 80's I tried 2400 and Win 296 in .357 magnum but 2400 seemed dirty and left unburnt grains around the shooting bench. Since this was a limited test in a shorter barrel pistol it may not be what others have found. 2400 powder is better for less than full power loads than AA#9 or Win296/H110. I have a load for 44 Magnum that I just can't make myself try other powders for 44 Mag. I've been shooting Win 296 in 44 Magnum with 240 grain bullets and near maximum charges for many years. Unique would be okay for lead bullets or loading light charges but not for full power loads in .357 or 44 Magnum.

Sorry about that, 44, 357 and 50 magnum

Thewelshm

I have not been able to find any A9........

When my 686 6" was new I got the following with a 158gr XTP.
Unique ......... 1240 fps
Blue Dot........ 1272 fps
SR4756 ........ 1254 fps
2400 ............ 1270 fps
all loads were listed in manuals and all burned clean and no
problems after shooting a box of fifty. All accurate loads, so no need for more powder
since they were just for target use.

I would like to try the A9 powder out but there are no "Green lights" on right now. Maybe later down the road.

I was shooting some 44 Mags loaded with A #9 today. Nosler 240 grain JHP, 21.0 grains A #9 CCI 350 primers, WW Super brass. That is a near max load; I don't think I would try pushing it harder than that, at least through a 29/629. It has plenty of bite but not much flash, even in my 6 1/2" barrel 629. And it shoots well out of my Browning B92 carbine.

After a lot of years of fiddling around with about every powder I could get my hands on, for .357, .41, and .44 Magnum loads in the full-charge or pretty-close-to-it range, I prefer 2400 to anything else, but I don't mind using the others. Hard to find 2400 right now. Can't comment on the .500 Magnum.

The absolute best load I ever shot out of my 357 Redhawk was with AA #9 behind my own hard cast 180-grain truncated cones. I won't give you the powder charge because it was well above the book max, but the scoped 7-1/2" RH shot five rounds to one ragged hole at 50 yards.

I have since migrated to WC 820 due to cost considerations, but I would gladly go back to AA #9.

And I don't think I have ever shot a single round loaded with 2400. I know I have never loaded any... I started with #9 for magnum handguns and then went to the WC 820...

Something made me pick 2400 over BD and I'm trying to remember. It wasn't the cold sensitivity because I live in a mild climate. May have had something to do with standard or magnum primer. It seems that I read that BD was touchier than other powders as the charge varied, or may it was incomplete burning. Anybody remember know flaws in BD powder???

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have and use both AA-9 and 2400 for my top-drawer loads in .357 and .44 with heavy cast bullets in both (173 gr. Keith in .357, 250 gr. Keith in the .44) I could be happy with either. I pick up what is available, which recently has been AA-9. Haven't seen any 2400 on the shelf in a bit.

I use 2400 for my full house magnums, .357 and .44, andi use it a lot in the old "Skeeter Skelton 158 LSWC .357 in a .38 case, crimped on the top lube groove" load. My revolvers love it. I use Unique for .45 acp, .38 Special, 9mm, .40 S&W, 45 Colt, .44 Special. And I use Unique for mid level .357 and 44 Magnums.

If I could only have one powder, it would be Unique!

A supposedly sim, but results will vary quite a bit with caliber. Runs great in 357sig & 10mm. 2400 will give better results in the magnums. I like them both.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

RW;
BD flaws......
S&W stated that cold temperature caused problems with this powder. I was told that they also had problems getting a steady fps reading at the lower temperatures, in their tests.

Here in Nevada I seldom shot outside if the weather is lower than 38-40 degrees but have gone as high as 95 degrees.
I use BD as a medium to maximum loading in 38 special and .357 magmum loads in J frame snubs to K and L frame revolvers. I have yet to have any problems with ANY data that has been printed over the years from 1970 to 2013.

A chrony at my side probably helped me keep out of harms way, though................

Sorry for the hijack.

Have had great results with 2400 in 357mag and only got to do a couple loads in 44mag before running out. Found 2 pounds of #9 and so far so good. Both seem to get dirty at lighter loads.
With a pound of #9 left I'm starting to get a little worried about having no magnum powder.

The slower the powder the higher the pressures needed to get complete combustion. Some download a bit better than others, like 2400 vs H110, but if you want medium magnum loads, drop to a medium burner in the Unique/Universal/Powerpistol range.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

As soon as I get a chance (want to help me hang some drywall?) I'm going to try some 44mag with HS-6. I've got about 1/2 a pound left and had some good results with it for 357mag.

By Gosh and by Golly went to a local Gun and Knife show today and was amazed, a reloading supply dealer had recieved a shipment from Alliant that included 2400 and Power Pistol. Since I'm very well stocked in the middle burn rate handgun powders I passed on the Power Pistol but did pick up 2 lbs. of 2400 to experiment with. Another dealer has at least 10 1 lbs. bottles of HS-6 along with a couple of 8 lbs. kegs of Titegroup.

picked up some Alliant 2400 today, I like Accurate#9 but hear they are similar?

thewelshm

AA-9 is a bit faster than 2400. In. 44 mag for instance, with 240-250 gr bullets, 2400 loads will go up to 21 grains or so, AA-9 will top out about 18 grs. Check a reliable manual or powder manufacturer's data for specifics.

Where'd you hear that?

Can only speak to their use in 500 S&W (and 460).
Both are good powders.

I tend to favor 2400 with jacketed bullets and A 9 with monolithic bullets.

For my hunting loads H110 for jacketed and A 9 for copper.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

Yes they both are gunpowders best used in magnum handguns with some rifle applications. Don't think they can share data, pressure curves or applications.

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Front sight and squeeze

#9 has a little more punch than 2400 but not as much flexibility.
Still, #9 can encroach on H110's territory and do so without the tight 3% from max thing H110 is notorious for.

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it just needs more voltage

If you give up anything with 2400, it ain't much. And in some calibers and weights of bullets it outperforms 296/110. I haven't looked at the data to see if Acc #9 can do the same thing.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

As mentioned above the old "Skeeter loads" have worked for me for years, I only have 3 pistol powders on the shelf, 2400,H110/296, and Unique.
I do have some Lil'gun for 22 Hornet loads in a rifle.

I need to clarify the old " skeeter load " . As posted quite a ways above is not correct . He mentioned using a 158 gr cast bullet crimped in the top lube groove in 38 spl cases . This in not correct ,the case volume could be quite different than skeeters load !
The skeeter load is using the lyman 358156 cast bullet of approx 155-160grs , gc'd w/2 crimp grooves . The lower crimp groove was for loading in 38spl cases and the top crimp groove in 357 magnum cases . It gave approx the same case capacity in either case. His load was using 13.5 grs / 2400 powder. ( I called alliant recently , there is NO difference between the " old " and the " new " 2400 as far as burn rate. He said that if they changed the burn rate the gov't would not allow them to call it " 2400 " anymore ).
I have used skeeters load in both cases (38 and 357,crimped accordlingly) with complete success using the lyman 358156 cast bullet design . It was originally designed by Ray Thompson , a forest ranger many many years ago . Today I only load in 357 magnum cases as I have plenty so don't need to load in 38spl cases .
BTW , Tom @ accurate molds has it in a plain base version . I have it in 2 , 4/cav molds . I like it that much !

Unique is quite a bit faster than AA9 and AA5 would be the similar powder in the Accurate line. AA9 and 2400 are IMO very similar. AA9 is less dense than 2400 and of smaller grain size. If your powder measure doesn't seal well AA9 can leak. Loads using AA9 are generally 1.0 gr less than 2400 at maximum in the manuals and other equivalent loads.

I have both powders on hand and for .357 mag like 12.2 grs of AA9 with hard cast 158gr SWC for a full power load at around 1,250 fps from a 4" revolver.

Somebody described BD as "the psycho girlfriend of powders."

Wouldn't know about that. My mentor swears by it for .357 Magnum and I have futzed about with it in 9mm, .357 Magnum and .45ACP just for grins. It worked OK in all with standard primers.

At one time Alliant warned against using it in .41 Magnum. No idea why.

Like Titegroup I'm not sure I would be comfortable tapdancing around maximums with it...

100% with you
Qc

Unique I use for leadcast in 38, 357, 41, 44. 45acp(FMJ too).
2400 I use in 357, 41, 44 magnum loads.

The 296 hotter loads flame cut the throats.

I need to replace the 2400 & unique powders soon.

When I started Unique and 2400 was all I used and all I needed. Fast forward and up until recently I could not find any 2400 so my powder guy recommended #9. I've been feeding my 357 and 44 mag a steady diet but then I happened upon some 2400. I vowed to buy all they had if I ever found it but I only got a couple of pounds because I was pretty well stocked with #9. When the powder shortage was in full swing I bought what ever I ran into so I have a couple of lbs of H110 too.