Accurate No. 9 Powder?

[M29-73]

Anyone used this powder "A No.9" (or heard any feedback about it) for Upper Mid, to Hot 44 Mag loads with 240/250 KSWC's ? I'm experienced w/2400 but want to try something cleaner and am a little leary / concerned about the load-down issues I hear about H110/w296. I've got all the Loading data I need, just don't know anything about this powder. Thanks, Rod
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">Thanks All, I'm definitely going to try this Powder (when I can find some). Went to 5 stores yesterday and none of them had A#9, Unique, H110, w296, 2400 or Lil'Gun. Anyway this is much food for thought and thanks again! P.S. I'm going to contact my Represenatives about that B.S. Bill HR-45. Rod</span>

 

[M29-73]

Anyone used this powder "A No.9" (or heard any feedback about it) for Upper Mid, to Hot 44 Mag loads with 240/250 KSWC's ? I'm experienced w/2400 but want to try something cleaner and am a little leary / concerned about the load-down issues I hear about H110/w296. I've got all the Loading data I need, just don't know anything about this powder. Thanks, Rod
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">Thanks All, I'm definitely going to try this Powder (when I can find some). Went to 5 stores yesterday and none of them had A#9, Unique, H110, w296, 2400 or Lil'Gun. Anyway this is much food for thought and thanks again! P.S. I'm going to contact my Represenatives about that B.S. Bill HR-45. Rod</span>

 

[Skip Sackett]

Rod,
It is a great powder. I have used it many times with carbines and the bullets you mention to about 1800fps with great results. Meters like a dream and gives consistent ES and SD at the top of the data. No need for a magnum primer either.

I have switched to Lil' Gun for those loads now. More velocity with less pressure.

The other thing I like about both of these powders is they have considerably less muzzle flash than H110/W296.

Here is what they look like:

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I have been using #9 exclusively for all my .44 mag. loads. It meters great, and I get very consistant velocities which equates to very good accuracy.

I recently stopped using 2400 and switched to #9. It does everything I need it to do in the big bores.

WG840

 

[Wayne M]

I use AA powders exclusively and buy #9 no less than two kegs at a time. Great stuff!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've not tried AA#9 yet but I have loaded Magnum rounds with with W296/H110, 2400, Longshot and most recently Lil'Gun. When my supplies of W296 and 2400 are all used up I'll be using only Lil'Gun from now on, especially with heavier bullets. Very clean and very accurate!

Wheelgunner840 & Wayne M, how does AA#9 compare to W296/H110? (velocity, how clean, accuracy) Thanks...

 

[Wayne M]

Hi Arch. Can't answer your question regarding 296 and H110 because I've never used them(believe it or not!). Most of my 357 loads with #9 involve a Penn 158gr CTC/AA#9. Average is about 1250fps in 6" and the superb Penn bullet lets me get just under an inch at 25 yards open sights with the gun between my knees. Don't know what it would do out of a machine. Seems to burn very clean, more like shooting jacketed bullets than cast but can't tell you if that's because of the bullet, the powder, or both. The accurate powders also meter very well through the 550. Can't and wouldn't say AA powder is the best but as long as I can get it I won't use anything else.

 

[Littledragon777]

I have not used AA#9 but I do load my Super yRedhawk with AA#5. I use 14 grains with 180gr Hornady JHP XTPs. This is a really fun load to shoot and I can kepp it under 2 inches at 25 yards all day long.

 

[Wayne M]

I'll add to my other comments that I have not tried to find a maximum load; I found one that does what I need with the accuracy I want so stayed there. It may or may not give the top velocities of H110 or 296. One of these decades I'll do some experimenting!

 

[Skip Sackett]

In a small comparison between the two powders, H110 and AA#9, here is the difference I have noticed.

Muzzle flash. H110 will light up the sky at night!

Velocity is more with H110. Usually it posts higher in the data in manuals, too.

Both meter exceptionally well. I know there is a ton more data for AA#9 and lead bullets than H110.

When I first started reloading I did some real hot H110 44mag loads. I was shooting them in a Marlin 1894 with micro groove rifling. I can tell you this, with a 240gr bullet I was getting over some impressive velocities. Only problem, key holing. What I found out was that the base of the bullet was "melting off" in the barrel causing the bullets to tumble. Weird!
That being said, I still have that can of H110, and have had for a long time.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for that info guys, good stuff...

 

[Horse91-686]

I worked with AA #9 to find a common powder for two different barrel lengths, here's some of that data for you.
Loading the .44 magnum with 6.5” M629 and 4” M29 Mountain barrels, 6-shot strings.
Quite a difference in MV.

W296 – 26.7grs, 210gr Gold Dot, CCI 350, Starline V, COAL – 1.600”:
M629 – 1570fps/1150fpe, ES-58fps, SD-21fps;
M29 – 1439fps/966fpe, ES-62fps, SD-21fps;

W296 – 27.2grs; (max load per Speer = 27.5grs)
M629 – 1595fps/1196fpe, ES-40fps, SD-13fps;
(3 recovered Gold Dots after passing through ½” plywood and recovered in cement-like caliche clay:
#1-.838”x1.121”, #2-.868”x1.109”, #3-.766”x1.002”)

M29 – 1443fps/971fpe, ES-69fps, SD-20fps

AA #9 – 22.2grs, 210gr Gold Dot, CCI 300, Starline V, COAL – 1.600”
M629 – 1520fps/1077fpe, ES-15fps, SD-05fps;
M29 – 1390fps/901fpe, ES-22fps, SD-10fps;

AA#9 – 22.8grs; (max load per Speer = 23.0grs)
M629 – 1549fps/1148fpe, ES-38fps, SD-14fps;
M29 – 1407fps/923fpe, ES-41fps, SD-16fps.

Accuracy Load:
75F, 4200ft., 20%;

AA #9 – 20.0grs, 240gr Sierra JHP, CCI 350, Starline x1, COAL – 1.600”;
M629 – 1429fps/1088fpe, ES-20fps, SD-08fps.
5-shot string @31 meters = 0.95”

Nice 210gr Silvertip load:
AA #9 – 22.4grs, CCI 350, Starline x1, COAL – 1.610”;
M629 – 1563fps/1139fpe, ES-28fps, SD-11fps.
6-Shot string @31 meters = 2.5”.

Notice the 210gr Silvertip load exceeded the 210gr Gold Dot MV by 14.0fps with 0.4grs less AA #9 powder, CCI 350/CCI 300 primers and slightly longer COAL 1.610”/1.600”.

22.8grs of AA #9 (1549fps) runs pretty close to 26.7grs of W296 (1595fps) with 210gr Gold Dots; nearly 4grs less powder means less perceived recoil and muzzle flash.

AA #9 softens the recoil with the 4” M29 barrel (39oz) and also has less muzzle flash than W296. The 0.5gr increase of W296 powder in the M29 only increased MV by 04fps means switching to AA #9 is more efficient w/less perceived recoil.

Bob

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Originally posted by ArchAngelCD:

Wheelgunner840 & Wayne M, how does AA#9 compare to W296/H110? (velocity, how clean, accuracy) Thanks...

Like Wayne, I have never used W296 or H110. I have always used 2400 for the .44 Mag. before I discovered AA#9. I feel that it burns as clean as I need it to, and I am able to get the velocities that I want without even loading the maximum found in the manuals.

WG840

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A favorite .44 spl. load in my Smiths is 12 gr. #9 behind a 250 gr. cast bullet.

 

[Bassamatic]

Like Wayne, I have never used W296 or H110. I have always used 2400 for the .44 Mag. before I discovered AA#9. I feel that it burns as clean as I need it to, and I am able to get the velocities that I want without even loading the maximum found in the manuals.

Gunner: I have also used 2400 for my bigger 40's loads, but I just might give AA9 a try. Tough to get an old dog to do a new trick but if it takes less powder for the same velocities, well...

Wonder how it will feed through my new Chargemaster?

 

[H Richard]

A#9 is my favorite powder in 44 mag. Just did a test last weekend, to compare primers. Loading a Hornady 240 FMJ-FP, over 21.0 Gr. #9, Seated 1.585 OAL.
With a WLP primer, MV: 1602, ES: 15.72, SD: 6.40.
With Fed 150 Primer, MV: 1545, ES 29.74, SD: 11.09

I had originally expected the Fed primed loads to be more consistent, but the WLP primed loads were. Both loads were fired from a 10" TC from sandbag rest and accuracy was excellent, less than 2" in both.

My clean up was one wet patch, and two dry patch's.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I had originally expected the Fed primed loads to be more consistent

Not unless you use the magnum primers. While Federals are easier to get to ignite when use with "magnum" type powders they aren't hot enough to ensure consistent ignition.

Hope this helps

 

[John R]

I've been pushing the AA powders here for years.
All their pistol powders work great.

 

[Swissman]

M29-73,
It's not only the powders from AA that works for every cartridge that I reload. Its also the Homepage and the friendly tech. people. I did always get an answer or helpfull hints from Mr. Loubser.

Swissmans load for the .44 Mag: Just e-mail me and I send the data.

Swissman