Accurate Powders

[HisStigness]

I have seen a lot of powder made by Accurate Powders lately on the shelves while everything is in high demand, but the price seems very low. Correct me if I'm wrong but most Accurate Powders are under $20 per pound. There must be a reason they cost less so I'm wondering: are Accurate Powders worth the money? What are some pros and cons, and how do they compare to all the powders made by the Hodgdon family (H, IMR, Winchester)?
If it helps: I am reloading for 223, 30-06, 300blk, 303 British, and 9mm.

 

[Reefinmike]

Im loyal to hodgdon powders but I do have a couple cans of bullseye and unique on tap in case I run low. Nothing wrong with alliant powders, I would use them but I just havent had a chance to work up loads for all my pistol ammo.... its really a good bit of work when you are also casting your bullets and trying to find the right alloy and charge weights to be most accurate and no leading. Most pistol powders go for $15-18 around me and rifle and magnum pistol powders are usually closer to $20 a can... most brands.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use alot of AA1680, AA2230, AA#5, and AA#7

AA1680 is good in the 300 BLK for 150-155 grain bullets and up. It can be used with lighter bullets but other powders work better. Also, I use it in 221 Remington Fireball.

AA2230 is great in 223 Remington.

AA#5 and AA#7 are handgun powders.

A friend of mine uses AA2520 in his 22-250 and AA2495 is a good 30-06 powder.

Here is Western Powders data for Accurate and Ramshot line of powders.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_7-2-13.pdf

Hope this helps.

 

[ljnowell]

Accurate #2 was actually developed for 9mm, 38, and 45 acp target loads. #5 is another really good 9mm powder.

I like all of the Accurate powders, but only use #2 and #5. #2 is my go to for target load 45s and my bullseye 38 loads. #5 is good for 40 S&W lead loads and 45s with a little more pop.

I dont use the #7 and #9 as I prefer power pistol and 2400, which for me fills the roles of those two powders.

All of the Accurate pistol powders (I have never used their rifle powders)are VERY fine ball powders and meter like water or fine sand through a powder measure giving extremely repeatable powder drops. You will like them if you try them.

 

[steve4102]

I use a lot of Accurate Powder and not because they are inexpensive, because they are great powders.

Accurate powders on my shelf right now are, #2,#7,#9, 1680, 2230, 2015, 2520, 4350 and MagPro.

If you included Ramshot powders as well, I have/use, BigGame, Hunter, TAC, Silhouette and True Blue.

Check them out, you may be pleasantly surprised.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/

http://www.ramshot.com/

 

[41 Mag]

I have been using Accurate powders since they became locally available back int he 80's. I have found plenty of great loads using them both for rifle and handgun.

The biggest issue for me was I never could seem to find them in bulk when I needed to so my bulk purchases have been Hodgdon, IMR and Alliant. For handgun however a 1# can will usually last a decent while unless your loading for one of the bigger magnums. Even then they are well worth picking up if you can find them.

 

[tcoz]

I use AA#5 for 9mm. It's clean, accurate and drops consistent charges through my Lee Pro Powder Disk

 

[gahunter12]

I have been loyal to Hodgodon/Winchester until early this year. Back in January I started stocking up on powders that work well with the proper burn rate for .223. I made a list, and started searching LGS. I found about 9lb of AA2230, and 7lb of AA2200 for $19.99/lb. I decided to work up some loads with the two powders, a d have been very impressed. I have had great Chrono results with Standard Deviations of 8-10 across 7 shot strings. Both AA2200, and AA2230 are a very fine ball powder that pours like water. It's probably the most accurate measuring powder that I have worked with. I am heading out to the Gun Club in a few to send a couple hundred rounds down range packed with AA2230! I have added AA2200, and AA2230 to my go to list of .223 powders along with my old favorites H335, Varget, CFE223.

 

[Walkalong]

I have used a lot of AA #2, #5, and #9. I have some AA1680 and Enforcer I am playing with in 300 BLK.

 

[sexybeast]

If you are finding Accurate powders on the shelves then you should consider yourself very lucky. In my parts we haven't seen any Accurate for months. I like their pistol powders because they meter so well. The main reason I use Hodgon powders so much is because they are available here except Universal.
If you like Bullseye then AA#2 will work just as well. Same with the others.
I don't think I'll ever buy Alliant powders again except Bullseye. Red dot, Green dot, Unique, and a few others I have tried measure so terrible, why bother with these powders.
I finished up some AA 5 and AA9 recently and in my opinion they also burn real clean too! Win-Win.

 

[HisStigness]

So consistent metering and price are definite positives for accurate powders. Is there any reason I shouldn't try out accurate powders (temperature sensitivity, lack of versatility, etc. )?

 

[Ky Larry]

My goto powder for .223 Rem is AA#2460. AA#4064 and 4350 are just as versitile as their IMR counterparts. AA pistol powders meter well and burn clean.

 

[armoredman]

AA#7 for my 9mm loads, AA#2 for my 38Spl loads, and AA# 1680 for 7.62x39mm loads. Yep, most of my powder containers say Accurate Arms on them.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Is there any reason I shouldn't try out accurate powders (temperature sensitivity, lack of versatility, etc. )?

Nope.
I've been wanting to try them, but no one here carries it locally.
I'm hoping the new Bass Pro will stock it. I went 3 days after it opened and there's not a pound of powder on the shelf. :banghead: I'm not hurting mind you, I have 3# of Bullseye, 2# of Unique and 2# of HP38 so I can do all the shooting I want. But I'm wanting to try AA#2 and AA#5.

 

[ssyoumans]

#9 works well in my 30 Carbine, I even like it more than H110 in there (did I just say that).

#7 is the only one I haven't found a use for. Takes too much powder for no gain in velocity in 9mm, 40 S&W vs other powders. Haven't seen any accuracy improvement with it either, but like the rest of the Accurate / Ramshot lines of powders. Lately tinkering with True Blue in 40 S&W.

 

[Mule]

Many years ago, I choose Accurate 4350 because of the price point. Money was tight and I had a houseful of hungry kids. With 165 gr Hornady or Sierra bullets in my 30-06, it was magic. Later when I acquired a Mini-14, Mike Graf suggested AA2230. Another winner. 5744 feeds my trapdoor.

Accurate powders are top quality and should not be overlooked. Just wish I could find some.

 

[redneck2]

I used AA2230 in my 64 grain .223 loads. As noted, metering quality as well as accuracy is excellent

Local Gander Mountain was getting out of reloading, and had powder at half price. I screwed up and only bought 3# of 2230. Should have gotten all 12 jugs they had at $10 each.

 

[NCsmitty]

Western Powders, who distributes both Ramshot & Accurate powders have a good following and their powders are as good as any other brand, and if you take the time to look at their load data, they now have both Ramshot and Accurate powders on one PDF file. They have some exceptional powders that can give both accuracy and top velocities over a wide range of cartridges.
Link to load data.

www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_7-2-13.pdf


NCsmitty

 

[rg1]

AA#2 is the best I've used in .38 Special and .380. I use AA#5 in 45 ACP and AA#9 is the best powder I've tried in .357 Magnum. Accurate Arms powder is more scarce locally and often not available on-line. Wish they would try to keep up with demand. While some Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders have shown up locally, haven't seen any Accurate Arms powder for a while.