AA #5 vs AA #7

AA#5 is better for .45 ACP IMO. AA#7 is a good powder for full power 9mm and .40 loads, and for 10mm with all but very heavy bullets. You could probably make it work in .45, but you'd be using a lot of powder, and buying a lot of flash and blast for no improvement in velocity. And you probably would have it burning pretty dirty.

3 out of 3. AA #5. Cleaner, low or no flash.

700-X is my favorite powder for 45 ACP but Accurate #5 is my alternate/backup when 700-X is difficult to find.

Does that make it 4 for 4?

No, it makes it 3 to 1. Hey, I usually use the nasty dirty Unique. Been doing that for many years.

Look at a burn rate chart. AA5 is close to Unique and works well with cartridges like the .38 spl and .45 acp that Unique produces optimal velocities with and to power lower velocity loads in magnum cartridges. AA7 is similar to Blue Dot in burn rate and works well with magnum cartridges using light weight bullets and in high pressure automatic cartridges like the 9mm, 40 S&W, and 10mm. While there are loads using AA7 in the .45 and .38 spl AA7 doesn't work efficiently in these lower pressure cartridges usually producing excess powder residue and carbon on the outside of the cases.

Just a note, AA#5 was developed around the 45 ACP so I'm guessing it's a good powder for that cartridge lol.

AA#5 works well in the 45 Auto and .38 Special especially in +P loads. It also works well in the 9mm. I like Accurate Powders, too bad they are not available where I live. I use HS-6 instead and W231 for most if my loading.

Accurate Powders in general are clean burning unless the pressures are very low like with most powders. I usually don't notice flash so I can't comment on that aspect, sorry.

AA#2 provides adequate velocities in 45ACP with lower charge weights than either AA#5 or AA#7. For minimizing cost per round, AA#2 is my favorite.

Higher velocities can be achieved with AA#5 and AA#7, however. If you are looking for the extra 70-100 fps at max charges, then AA#5 or AA#7 would be a good choice.

All of these powders burn clean, but the faster powders do seem to have snappier recoil, at least to my hand.

Used both for 45, prefer the #5 over the 7. 7 uses to much powder. Currently using BE86 for the 45 and have found a happy load for it

#5 is very clean in my 38 Spl loads.

I don't load 45auto very much anymore, AA #5 would be the way to go. AA #7 was designed for the 38Super, a job it does very well.

Currently using BE86 for the 45 and have found a happy load for it

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What is your load?
The Alliant site lists loads, but no min-max ranges and they seem hotter than I want -- various 230gr bullets 900+ fps. I want something 800-850 with 230gr bullets.

2zulu1 said:

AA #7 was designed for the 38Super, a job it does very well.

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My understanding is that it was actually designed/developed as a powder for hot 9mm SMG rounds. But it became popular as a reloading powder in .38 super in compensated USPSA/IPSC race guns, in part because it is slow enough to reach high velocities, and because it produces a large volume of gas to run a compensator well. Neither one of those traits recommends it for .45 ACP!

Looks like the heavy hitters knocked this one out of the park in the first two at-bats...Walkalong and Atl Dave know their stuff. 'Nuff said

wally said:

The Alliant site lists loads, but no min-max ranges and they seem hotter than I want -- various 230gr bullets 900+ fps. I want something 800-850 with 230gr bullets.

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Alliant shows maximum charges and typically need to be reduced by 10% for a starting charge.

Jake in TX

Not on your list but AA#2 works great for target velocity loads and meters like a dream.

I use both in my Marlin M45, velocities are close but AA-7 shoots smaller groups. In my M457 the AA-5 is excellent. I guess I'm just sensitive enough to recoil impulses with all this "sharp" recoil and "slow push" recoil talk. It's all about the same to me....

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wally said:

What is your load?
The Alliant site lists loads, but no min-max ranges and they seem hotter than I want -- various 230gr bullets 900+ fps. I want something 800-850 with 230gr bullets.

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The Alliant site does NOT list loads, it lists the Max charge. You are supposed to reduce the number they provide by 10% to get the starting load and work up, not surpassing what they list.

This is directly from their site:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
The individual accessing this site assumes the risk of safe loading practices.
Failure to do so could result in severe personal injury (or death) and/or property damage.

USE THIS DATA WITH ALLIANT BRAND POWDERS ONLY.

REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.

DO NOT EXCEED THE LOADS DISPLAYED ON THE SITE OR ALLIANT'S RELOADERS GUIDE.

25-20 WCF said:

I use both in my Marlin M45, velocities are close but AA-7 shoots smaller groups. In my M457 the AA-5 is excellent. I guess I'm just sensitive enough to recoil impulses with all this "sharp" recoil and "slow push" recoil talk. It's all about the same to me....
.

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Well, sure, out of a carbine, the recoil of any 45ACP is minimal.

The OP is asking about reloading for a handgun - a 1911 in particular. And one doesn't have to be "sensitive" to recoil to care about it, particularly in handguns. Less recoil = faster follow up shots. That's completely independent from any "ow, my hand" sensitivity to recoil.

The original cans of AA5 were labeled that they were designed for .38 Spl and .45 Auto.
I find it too slow for target loads, but very good for full-power loads. Excellent accuracy in .40 S&W.
AA7 comes into its own in full power .38 super and 9x21 loads. Way too slow for best performance in .45 Auto.
If you worry about recoil feel, you want to go to heavy bullets and fast powders—like most action pistol shooters.

Walkalong said:

I remember that. I shot a lot of it back in the day. I liked it in +P .38 and full power .45. It did very well in 9MM too.

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It sure does work well in a three of those applications. I will add AA#5 works well in full power 45 Colt loads too.

"ow, my hand" ....
You been shooting w me lately Dave? Sounds like me.

Accurate No. 5 has been my powder of choice for .45 acp for about 8 years so far. Always works great. I get right around 7,000 rounds from an 8 lb bottle of it. No flash either