Accurate #5 and .357 Magnum

[Khornet]

Anyone have reccommended loads for this combination with 140 gr JHPs? I bought a lot of this stuff so I could simplify by having one powder for .40 and .45, but that was before I bought a revolver.

 

[1911user]

Don't plan to get full 357 mag velocity loads using AA#5. The powder is too fast to achieve that with safe pressure levels. Use current data from AA for this powder unless you bought it several years ago. They changed the formula for AA#5 and the older data for it is no longer safe to use unless it's known to be older powder.

For full 357 velocity, a slower powder is needed.

 

[JDGray]

I use HS6 in both .357 & .45ACP , dont have any .40 cals. JDGray

 

[jacobtowne]

I've used Blue Dot for .357 for years - clean burning, good powder.
For other handgun cartridges - .38 S&W, .38 Special, and .45 ACP, I use WW231.
JT

 

[Big_R]

AA#5 works OK for most handgun cartridges, and in the .357, it seems to produce less flash than other powders. Follow the load recommendations on AA's website. I load it in everything from 9mm to .44 mag, with standard primers and it works fine. I have had issues with poor accuracy with cast bullets loaded with AA#5. For those, I have had good results with AA#9.

Ryan

 

[redneck2]

AA5 is many times my powder of choice. I use it in 45 ACP, 45 LC, and 10mm. I agree that slower powders would probably give optimum velocity.

That said, I suspect that AA5 would be excellent for mid-range loads and give decent velocity and clean burning. It meters exceptionally well.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have no idea what the loading manual has for AA #5 these days. I do, however, have some data that I did for a Ruger Blackhawk .357 magnum. Old powder or new powder. I will not buy any more as it is too heat sensitive. As the cylinder chambers warmed up and the day got warmer (Stockton area of california) the faster the 140 gr Remington SJHPs got. Started with normal primers and ended up with smashed primers, hard ejection, split case mouths and splits half way down the cases. The loads were 10 grains of AA #5 under 140 SJHP Remingtons using CCI primers...Oh and Winchester cases...Just too temperature sensitive to suit my needs...I now use either 2400 or W-296...

 

[Berek]

I found that. when it comes to Accurate powders, AA #2 works better, for me at least. Just a thought.

Berek

 

[MarineTech]

I've had excellent luck using AA#7 in my .357 loads.

11.4gr of AA#7 with a 158gr. Speer JSP and Winchester Small pistol primers give me about 1150fps out of a 4" barreled revolver. Recoil is very mild too. A good heavy crimp is required though and I use a Lee Factory crimp die for the job.