ChattCat
Member
Has anyone used AA 5 with 125gr. Oregon Trail silver cast Western doesn’t have any data for this. Looking for low speed loads.
Thanks!
Thanks!
AA 5 and 38 Special
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jimbo728
Member
Not much luck with A5 in .38 but it`s my go to powder in.357
Jimm
Jimm
DWalt
Member
AA 5 is fairly close to Unique in its ballistics. Most reloaders tend toward using faster-burning propellants for .38 Special standard pressure loads - Bullseye, Red Dot, AA 2, Clays, 700-X. Those are what I would use for lighter loads with 125 grain bullets, not AA 5.
As s side comment, AA 5 is a great propellant for heavy loadings in smaller-capacity cases as it has a very high bulk density. Probably the best propellant you can find for hot loads in .38 Super, and I've tried them all.
As s side comment, AA 5 is a great propellant for heavy loadings in smaller-capacity cases as it has a very high bulk density. Probably the best propellant you can find for hot loads in .38 Super, and I've tried them all.
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rockquarry
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I doubt you'll get a good powder burn with #5 at low velocities, but I'd call the experts at Western for best advice.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
IMO AA#5 is better suited for full power .38 Special +P ammo, not for light cast bullets in a standard .38 Special. Like said above, faster powders are better suited.
STORMINORMAN
Member
Love #5 for medium-warmer 380acp loads with a variety of different bullets...
As Accurate powders go, their #2 might be just the ticket for your 38 Special lower speed loads? Sure, #5 will work, but you need to think about loading at least their minimum book load.
Cheers!
As Accurate powders go, their #2 might be just the ticket for your 38 Special lower speed loads? Sure, #5 will work, but you need to think about loading at least their minimum book load.
Cheers!
That’s probably the best Avenue there. The manufacturer will always know best. My Speer book recommends 7.8gr DNR of AA#5 for 38spl with a jacketed 125gr. Then for +p the spread is only 7.8-8.1gr. So it doesn’t seem like it’s very versatile for playing around with velocities. Especially when you take into account you're also looking for data on cast bullets. I know times are tough and the days of going out and picking up a new pound of powder to try isn’t as easy as it use to be. But you may need to go powder hunting.
Accurate (Ramshot) has data for a few 125gr/AA5 loads. Maybe you can extrapolate something.
https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf
https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf
STORMINORMAN
Member
It's a .358 125gr flat nosed lead bullet with a cannelure in 38 Special... What's to extrapolate? Not every powder/bullet combo is going to be desirable for either end of the spectrum: high or low velocity. Load at minimums or look elsewhere.
P.S. If the OP really wants low velocity, why not just try Bullseye or the like? It is, now-a-days, just so easy to suggest a different powder when supplies are not what one would call "easily available"... In another thread I had someone suggest I just buy 8lbs of another (very possibly more appropriate because of published load data?) powder when I already had two pounds of powders and I was inquiring about a specific application: appreciate the availability heads-up, but was really looking for info vs. alternatives.
P.S. If the OP really wants low velocity, why not just try Bullseye or the like? It is, now-a-days, just so easy to suggest a different powder when supplies are not what one would call "easily available"... In another thread I had someone suggest I just buy 8lbs of another (very possibly more appropriate because of published load data?) powder when I already had two pounds of powders and I was inquiring about a specific application: appreciate the availability heads-up, but was really looking for info vs. alternatives.
I use #5 but with a 158 grn. bullet. Main reason is I got an 8# jug. I still have some HP 38 but want to use it sparingly. I use the same Lee dipper that I use for HP 38 and it gives me a nice mid-range load, accuracy is fine, don't see any difference.
I don't know, what is there to extrapolate? The data I offered shows 6 different 125gr bullets with 5 different charge weight spreads for that powder and none of them the OPs specific bullet.
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DWalt
Member
Another benefit of using the fast powders and light loads in .38 Special. Lower charge weights makes your powder inventory last for much longer. At one time, that wouldn't have been such a big deal, but it sure is today.
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Never used that one, but my favorite 125gr LRN load is 4.0 gr of 700-X. Sometimes you can find 700-X because it is not popular.
gwpercle
Member
Based on data from Western Powders Load Data Guide edition 6.0
I have worked up a 38 Special Load with a cast 124 gr. Truncated Cone , gas check , bullet , sized .358 .
5.2 grains AA #5 = 800 fps
AA #5 is a tad slower than Unique and may not burn well at lower pressures ... like Unique .
I had to work up to a load of 6.2 grains @ 1,000 fps before I got a clean and consistent burn .
5.2 grains left a few un or incompletely burned grains of powder in the case , AA#2 is better for light / standard pressure loads with cast bullets and especially lighter 125 grain weight .
AA#5 does better with 158 gr. 160 gr. and 170 gr. lead bullets ...
But the bottom line is if all you have 125 gr. cast bullets and AA#5 ...
You gotta Work with what Cha Got !
Hope this helps ,
Gary
I have worked up a 38 Special Load with a cast 124 gr. Truncated Cone , gas check , bullet , sized .358 .
5.2 grains AA #5 = 800 fps
AA #5 is a tad slower than Unique and may not burn well at lower pressures ... like Unique .
I had to work up to a load of 6.2 grains @ 1,000 fps before I got a clean and consistent burn .
5.2 grains left a few un or incompletely burned grains of powder in the case , AA#2 is better for light / standard pressure loads with cast bullets and especially lighter 125 grain weight .
AA#5 does better with 158 gr. 160 gr. and 170 gr. lead bullets ...
But the bottom line is if all you have 125 gr. cast bullets and AA#5 ...
You gotta Work with what Cha Got !
Hope this helps ,
Gary
scooter123
Member
My goto powder for 38 special is Vihtavouri 3N37. Tried using SR7625 which is my primary choice for 40 and 45 ACP target loads but found out that it's EXTREMELY position sensitive in a long 38 special case. After that I started looking around and it was suggested that I try 3N37 by a reloading supplier who worked the local gun shows. So tested out a 1 lbs bottle and found it to be fantastic for 38 special and rather hot 9mm loads featuring a 147 grain bullet. Like it enough that I have purchased and used about 6 lbs. over the years.
Concerning Accurate #5, that is a real favorite for high velocity 185 grain 45 ACP loads. Over a chronograph this particular load has presented a 185 grain Speer Gold Dot at 1070 fps. from a 4 1/4 inch 1911.
Concerning Accurate #5, that is a real favorite for high velocity 185 grain 45 ACP loads. Over a chronograph this particular load has presented a 185 grain Speer Gold Dot at 1070 fps. from a 4 1/4 inch 1911.
shil
Member
I found Accurate #5 to be nice for .38 Special, BUT, it's a very fine-grained powder which does not take up much room in the case. Be careful not to double-charge.
STORMINORMAN
Member
Right: your suggested data is valid. The various 125gr lead .358 bullets are as much alike as can be envisioned in 38 Special... RN, FN, Conical, etc. A wadcutter would be a different story.
Load them at their cannelures with the average midpoint of your 6 different bullets and charge weights and there should be no "problem": but that's not what the OP is looking for, is it?
Cheers!
I have loaded several 125 gr lead bullets for my 2" J frame.
I do not have #5 or used Unique, due to the slow burn rate.
I have loaded 4.4 grs of Universal for around 600fps, that was ok.
Just load enough powder to exit your barrel if 4" or longer.
Please note that #5 is a LOT slower burning than Unique.
Manual "x" 158 JSP maximum 38 Spl. load;
Unique @ 5.4gr........................ AA5 @ 6.4gr
I do not have #5 or used Unique, due to the slow burn rate.
I have loaded 4.4 grs of Universal for around 600fps, that was ok.
Just load enough powder to exit your barrel if 4" or longer.
Please note that #5 is a LOT slower burning than Unique.
Manual "x" 158 JSP maximum 38 Spl. load;
Unique @ 5.4gr........................ AA5 @ 6.4gr
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DWalt
Member
As I said earlier, AA 5 has about the highest bulk density of any propellant. Good if you want to put the greatest weight of propellant in a smaller-capacity case.
