AA#7 vs True Blue in 9mm?

My vote is #7
I also use alot of silhouette in 9mm.

kcofohio said:

I like #5, mainly for 45 Auto FMJs.

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700-X is my main choice of powder for 45 ACP but AA#5 is my main back-up powder.

kcofohio said:

Good that 700-x works for you! I had bought a 14 oz. of 700-x back when I was new to reloading. it's still unopened, as I had got into a 4 lb. of WST and stuck with it for plated and cast bullets.

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I’ve been using 700-X in 45 ACP since about 1980. I like the way it shoots and old habits are hard to break. I started reloading in the days of flake powders so I’m used to the difficulties metering flake powders.

There are lots of good powders that work well in 45 ACP. I have my reloading records dating back to 1980 when I got into reloading. I have many established loads for many powders that have performed well in 45 ACP.

But, I’ll admit, True Blue meters great compared to 700-X.

I have been using No 7 in 9mm, at least until I ran out.

I only have about a years' experience loading 9mm, but I've had good success with #7 in 124 grain +p loads.

For lighter stuff I go with slightly faster powders, anything with a burn rate between 231 and Power Pistol.

Alaskamike said:

I only have about a years' experience loading 9mm, but I've had good success with #7 in 124 grain +p loads.

For lighter stuff I go with slightly faster powders, anything with a burn rate between 231 and Power Pistol.

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That is exactly what #7 was designed for; heavy 9mm loads, particularly in sub guns.

So, a longer barrel (4"+) such as in a service pistol and 125-ish grain full power loads is perfect #7 territory.

I’ve settled on True Blue for most of my 9mm loads. Chronograph shows it has much tighter SD than Accurate #5. But I use 115-124 gn bullets. As a matter of fact I can’t get consistent numbers with #5 in any caliber or bullet combination. I still use a lot of 700X for general purpose rounds in 9mm.

my 3 cents: Usually TB = Trail Boss.
True Blue = True Blue
(In the context of this thread I read TB as True Blue)

sevt_chevelle said:

My vote is #7
I also use alot of silhouette in 9mm.

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I read somewhere that Accurate #7 was developed specifically for subgun use. With that I would be inclined to use #7 for the longer barrel applications and for the shorter barrel gun to use something like Silhouette, WSF, or True Blue. I have had success with HS-6 and mag primers. Burns a little dirty but was very accurate.

Quickload says that True Blue is right at SAAMI max for your mid 1100s. AA#7 does 35 fps more at the same pressure. This means that you can back off 0.3 grs and get the same velocity with 3000 psi less chamber pressure.

Now for me, I would consider 1100 fps as good enough for most applications. At this velocity, the faster True Blue will get the job done without pushing the limit on pressure and it will do the job with an estimated 2 grains less powder than AA#7.

I’ve not loaded with true blue but tried AA5 in 9mm. It seems there’s a big difference in burn rates between blue and AA7. You’re going from med fast down to really slow for 9mm. I didn’t pursue AA5 because WSF works so well. I’m interested to know what you end up with and the felt recoil between blue and AA7 if you load both.