AA#9 for .357mag revolver/carbine combo?

[_N4Z_]

I've been using 2400 in my revolver (GP100 6") and levergun (Marlin 18") with acceptable results.

Going through all my load books has me wondering about AA#9. Anybody here used it?

Also had an old timer at the range singing the praises of Blue Dot. Said he'd been ussing it for years now after trying both 2400 and H110.

Anyway, I am about out of my 2400 supply and am looking to try something new. Ideally to be used for both arms, higher end loads, 158gr jacketed slugs. My low power needs are already spoken for.

 

[broham]

I have used AA#9 for my GP100 with 158jhp's. I like it a lot. It meters real good. I must say I didn't care for 2400 too much. For my hot loads it's hard to beat H110. AA#9 can be loaded pretty hot too. If my memery serves I think I was loading around 13.5 grains. I have come to really like AA#5 in my GP100 as well.

 

[Envisaged]

'LilGun? Have you looked at that powder?

 

[fecmech]

I have used AA9 with the Lyman 358429 which casts around 170 grs. I use 13.3 which gives about 1275 fps out of my 6" gp 100 and 1600+ out of my Winchester 94 .357 with good accuracy.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

# 9

# 9 is good powder for the 357 with heavy bullets. I used to shoot a lot of it using 158SWC with a gas check. It will work with hard cast lead bullets as well.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lil'Gun is a great powder in the .357 Magnum, especially with heavy bullets.

As for AA#9, it's a good powder and will work well. It's in the same league as W296/H110, 2400, IMR4227 and Enforcer.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I finally got a chance to run some 185 grain cast gas check bullets over 15.0 grains of Lil'Gun across the PACT Professional Chronograph today. I was shooting them through one of my .357 Magnum Marlin Carbines, and 10 shots averaged 1,710 fps. There were no signs of pressure and they were very, very accurate. This load produces zero leading through my Carbines, and is the load I've settled on.

I haven't fired this load through any of my .357 Magnum handguns, but will the next time I go out with the chronograph.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rg1]

My favorite load for .357 magnum is using AA#9 powder. I shoot 13.0 grains of AA#9 with Hornady's 158 gr. XTP HP and FP bullets seated to 1.580" oal. I use CCI 500 standard primers and that's what Accurate Arms recommends. The magnum primer is not needed with AA#9. This load shoots great in a 6" revolver and a Marlin carbine with micro-groove rifling. Accurate Arms has data on-line.

 

[Steve C]

AA#9 is a good slow pistol powder for magnum loads. Charges are aobut 1.0 gr less than 2400 for similar velocity. Its a rather dense and fine powder that doesn't take up much room in the case compared to 2400. I've used them both and have no real preference other than the lowest price but if both are the same cost I usually go with 2400 as I've used it since before AA#9 became available.

12.3grs of AA#9 pushes a 158gr LSWC hard cast out the muzzle of my 4" S&W M66 at 1,268 fps.

13.0grs behind a Remington bulk 158gr JSP runs 1,289 fps from a 6" Colt Trooper.

 

[Slamfire]

I have shot and tested AA#9 with 158 lead bullets and 158 JHP. It is an accurate powder. I prefer 2400. I can cut loads with 2400, AA#9 is to be used within a fairly narrow band.

2400 data included as a comparison.

AA#9 has worked very well in the 44 Magnum.

[SIZE="3"]
Smith & Wesson M27-2 6.5” barrel		
					
158 LRN  12.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 Mixed cases 		
5-Aug-06T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1278		 		
Std Dev =34.98				 
ES  =	117.4		 	 
High  =1344		 
Low  =	1226				
 N =	27				 
little or no leading	 Accurate				
					
158 LRN  12.5 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D  cases 	 	
5-Aug-06T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1348		 		
Std Dev =34.16		 	 
ES  =	134.7		 	 
High  =1386				 
Low  =	1251				
 N =	25				 
Very Accurate no leading
					
158 LRN  13.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases 		
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F	
				
Ave Vel =1360		 		
Std Dev =33.19		 	 
ES  =	109.8		 	 
High  =1393		 		 
Low  =	1284				
 N =	26				 

Very Accurate


158 JHP 13.0 grs AA#9 R-P cases WSP			
9-Oct-05 T = 64°F 

Ave Vel =1156				
Std Dev =35.63		 		 
ES  =	160.6		 	 
High  =1230				 
Low  =	1069				 
N =	20				 
Very accurate					
					
					
158 JHP (W/W) 13.5 grains 2400 R-P cases WSP		
5-Aug-06 T = 103 °F

Ave Vel =1196		 		
Std Dev =26.58		 		 
ES  =	87.17		  		 
High  =1244		 		 
Low  =	1157				
 N =	10				 
					
					
158 LSWC 13.5grs 2400 R-P cases CCI primers		
9-Oct-05 T = 64 °F

Ave Vel =1273				
Std Dev =44.03				 
ES  =	176.7				 
High  =1372				 
Low  =	1195				 
N =	30				 
	
[/SIZE]

 

[freakshow10mm]

Blue Dot, #9, and #2400 are all around the same burn rate and performance results with minor variations among them.

 

[_N4Z_]

Thanks for the responses. My interest with the AA#9 stems from the fact my Lee 2nd edition lists many many loads for it in 357mag, including plated. It looked to have more versatility than most others.

My interest with the BlueDot began after conversing with an old timer, who's know how is held in high regard by many locals.

With Lil'Gun, few of my books give it any air time, and only the latest Hodgdon magazine style load listing, contains decent coverage of it. But then it only shows for pistol, and nothing under rifle, which I thought odd considering it's slow burn speed.


So many powders....

 

[evan price]

I personally use #9 for all of my full power Magnum loadings, it is very accurate and clean.

Blue dot, it seems never burns completely, and I honestly don't know what the old timers were thinking, there are so many better powders out there.

 

[huntershooter]

AA9 is the "accuracy load/powder" for a couple N frame S&W's with 180 gr. WFNGC cast bullets.