Opinions on Accurate No.5 powder.

I have used it in 38 special and 357 magnum and really like it. Had a clean burn and meters smoothly. Can't speak to using it with 380 acp, but I know Western Powders has data for 380 and #5:

Good luck!

I haven't used it in years, but it did everything I asked it to without any issues. At this moment in 2021 I would jump all over a good supply of it.

<edit> I used it, IIRC, in cartridges from .38 Special to .45 Colt.

My opinion,Accurate #5 is excellent in 9mm.
Never loaded 380

I had one pound of it and really liked it. IIRC its in the same burning range as Unique. And being a ball powder it meters with accuracy. If I had a chance to buy 8 pounds of it it would have already been bought. I like every Accurate brand powder I have used. I like #2 also if you get a chance at some.

I have used AA-2, AA-5, AA-7 and AA-9, and agree with Thomas T. AA-5 is in the same burning rate range as Unique, a bit slower in a couple charts I have, slightly faster in another. I would not hesitate to use AA-5 in any applications where Unique might be appropriate. All the AA powders meter like water. My favorite powders due to this fact.

FWIW, I have noticed that the AA powders produce the most consistent velocities when loaded at or near the top of their recommended powder charge range.

Good stuff, he will like it for all the cartridges he has.

Stay safe.

I have chronograph data where I have shot AA#5 in 38 Special, 357 Mag reduced loads, (38 Special equivalent in 357 cases), 44 Special, 45 L Colt, and 45 ACP. Accurate Arms #5 works well once you develop your own data. Some of the data in the Accurate Arms manuals are so far from reality, that the difference between what they claim, and what I see over a chronography, is mind boggling.

Anyway, shot up a lot of 45 ACP rounds with the stuff. It functions the pistol and shoots well. So, what's not to like?

My goal is 800 fps in a 5 inch barreled 1911 with a 230 grain bullet. That was the original velocity of the 1910 developmental cartridges, which were loaded with 5.0 grs Bullseye and a 230 FMJ.

Kimber Custom Classic

230 LRN 7.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F

Ave Vel = 829 fps
Std Dev = 20
ES = 63
High = 863
Low = 800
Number rds= 15


230 LRN Valiant 7.8 grs AA#5 lot 12599 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

Ave Vel = 874.7
Std Dev = 16.3
ES = 78.33
High = 916.4
Low = 838
N = 30

230 LRN Valiant 8.0 grs AA#5 lot 12599 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

Ave Vel = 890.2
Std Dev = 11.48
ES = 40.44
High = 911.8
Low = 871.4
N = 16

230 FMJ (R-P) 7.8 grs AA#5 lot DM Speer Once fired WLP (brass)
12-Dec-11 T =53 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

Ave Vel = 847.1
Std Dev = 19.59
ES = 86.17
High = 877.2
Low = 791.1
N = 14

Accurate but high.

My RIA has a slower barrel than the Kimber.

Rock Island Arsenal GI M1911 RIA 5" barrel

230 Norinco Ball 1991 headstamp
13-Aug-18 T = 90 °F

Ave Vel = 815.9
Std Dev = 17.2
ES = 76.78
High = = 846.9
Low = 770.1
Number rounds = 28


230 FMJ 7.5 grs AA#5 Lot DM WSP OAL 1.265" Small primer cases,taper crimp 0.469"
16-Apr-20 T = 68 °F

Ave Vel = 731.5
Std Dev = 10.39
ES = 31
High = = 748
Low = 717
N = 9

230 FMJ 7.8 grs AA#5 Lot DM WLP OAL 1.265" taper crimp 0.469"
13-Sep-18 T = 82 °F

Ave Vel = 815.4
Std Dev = 18.02
ES = 68.22
High = = 847.6
Low = 779.4
N = 28

230 RMR FMJ 7.8 grs AA#5 Lot DM small primer brass WSP OAL 1.265"
taper crimp 0.469"

10-Jun-20 T = 91 °F

Ave Vel = 805.6
Std Dev = 12.56
ES = 39.38
High = = 822.4
Low = 783
N = 16

Shoots well enough at spitting distances.

I use Accurate #5 in a number of cartridges.

Here is Western Powders latest reloading data, Version 8. See page 23 for cartridges suitable for use with Accurate #5.

https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf

They list 18 different cartridges.

I'd say Accurate #5 is quite versatile.

Scooter22 said:

My son has a chance to buy 8lbs of it but has never used it. Neither have I. He has a .32ACP, .380, 9mm and 45ACP. It's listed for all those cartridges. He doesn't want to buy 8lbs and find it finicky. I put this here instead of in Handloading. He doesn't want loads, just to know if it's versatile. Thanks

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Yes. It is very versatile. I would liken it almost to Unique for versatility.

#5 is my go to for 40 S&W. I won’t hesitate to buy it if I could find some.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Yes. It is very versatile. I would liken it almost to Unique for versatility.

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I do use Accurate #5 as an alternate powder for many of the cartridges that I use Unique it.

I like to have alternate powder loads already worked up in case I cannot obtain my primary powder.