Plain Accurate No. 2 and Accurate No. 2 Improved difference?

[alfack]

Ok. I have used AA #2 to reload for .380, 9mm and .45 for years. I just noticed that I have two different powders 'AA #2' and 'AA #2 Improved.'

Does anyone know what the difference between them is? None of my load books make reference to the "Improved" version. I plan to crank out some 230 gr. FMJRNs, as soon as I find out.

Thanks,

Allen

 

[MMCSRET]

Same data applies. They changed the formulation and maybe the supplier about 20 years +/_, ago. I have a copy of every pamphlet AA put out from 1981? until this year and somewhere in the late 80s, early 90s they included a statement to the effect that load data was good for old and new. I use a lot of it, probably 60# of Gov't surplus and at least that much of the commercial.

 

[alfack]

N/M. I found the answer. When in doubt, read the can. The can says it is ballistically equivalent in every way, except density. So it fills the case up a little more is all.

Must have been posting at the same time. Thanks, MMCSRET.

 

[Walkalong]

I just used up my last AA #2 Improved. I replaced it with some plain old AA #2. I liked it so much I bought a 5 pounder.

The newer AA #2 is quite a bit denser though. I had to throw out all my powder measure settings, and start over.

 

[Maj Dad]

I emailed Accurate about the difference, and the reply (from a very nice Czech engineer) was that the 2 are identical in performace but the Improved version is (as Walkalong aluded) less dense, "more filling" - sounds dietetic, eh? I load the dickens out of it and have a 4 lb keg ready to crack...