Accurate #9

[Collo Rosso]

Running out of 2400 for my 357mag loads and haven't seen any for awhile. At the gun show this past weekend nobody had 2400 but I did buy 2 pounds of Accurate #9 just in case. I've heard more than one recommend it and was wondering if anybody here uses it? Curious how it is loaded down a bit and if it likes lead bullets.

 

[Kilibreaux]

It's a very fine granular powder that's probably a little slower than 2400...about the same as 110. It also tends to leak from my Lee "Perfect" Powder measure during operation, whereas Hogdon "Lil'gun" which appears to be only marginally less fine grained does not leak...interesting.
I've used AA9 for .500 Magnum loads and .300 Blackout subsonic and have no complaints about performance. It will probably work in a .357 and if I were choosing it would be between AA7 and AA9 with the "9" being first up if I had a longer barrel.

 

[Doubless]

My experience with AA #9 is that it meters like a dream out of my Uniflo and gives velocities and pressures hard to get with other powders. FWIW, when Freedom Arms was still loading ammunition for their Casull, their powder of choice was AA #9.

The stuff appears to actually slow in burn rate as heavier bullets are used, in my estimation. At one time I was playing with shooting IHMSA, and I got chronographed velocities of 1800 fps out of my 10" Model 654 using AA #9; the bullet was the NEI 411-275 SSK design that dropped from my mould at right around 290 grains!

I think you will really enjoy that powder if you choose to go that route.

 

[cal50]

Lots of muzzle flash.

 

[Kilibreaux]

I tend to think AA9 also requires magnum primers. When working up loads for the .400 Corbon I found problems with getting a full burn with standard powders and this resulted in chambering problems due to powder residue in the chamber.
On the other hand my 4" and 6.5" M500's using AA9 loads are exceedingly "clean" after shooting...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lots of muzzle flash.

Which is true with most, if not all magnum class powders...

 

[Engineer1911]

I use standard primers with #9 in all my pistol calibers without any problems. The link:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_1-23-14.pdf with the latest data available.

 

[gaijin]

I load AA9 in .41 mag., .44 mag. and +P .45 Colt.
Not top end loads, but "warm" (250 gr..+- @ 1100 fps +- from 4" barrels).
Accuracy is superb.
My Dillon 550/650 powder dispenser "hangs up" with the fine powder, giving inconsisitent throw weights. I use an RCBS "Uniflow" instead-which works perfectly.
I use MAGNUM primers with these loads, in spite of Accurate's specs of STANDARD primers. Standard primers gave me erratic/inconsistent ignition and velocities with variances of up to 150 FPS.

 

[shocker]

9 does fine with lead, loading down as in recomended starting load minus a grain it burns clean as far as I have seen.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Thanks all! I have a RCBS uniflow and a Lyman 55. Will have to play to see if both do well with it. Accurate's web site shows WSPM primers were used for the loads. I have some CCI 550's and will probably do what I did with 2400. Do a batch with each and see how they feel, how clean it shoots. One of these days I must get a chrono. I asked for one for Christmas and got a pair of slippers instead.

 

[varmint243]

I used AA powders when they were a dollar or two cheaper than everyone else's power.
AA #9 is for heavy magnum loads on pistols with a decent barrel length.

As far as the chrono, ask around your club.
Somebody probably has one that they don't use too much and would be happy to meet up with you at the range for some testing.

I would have to say that I have not got my money's worth out of my chono, it's a neat tool but not the magic ticket to accuracy I was hoping for.

 

[mtgianni]

IME, #9 likes heavy per caliber bullets and a stout crimp. It burns well under pressure and stutters with light loads.