Accurate Arms #9 ?

[jethro75]

I am looking to start loading for some of my handguns. I see that Accurate Arms #9 is great for the 357 sig. I looked on AA's website and saw data for .357 mag and 454casull, which are the three I am most interested in loading. Does anyone have any thoughts, experience or recommendations for using AA 9 in these? It would be nice to have one for all three, but if it’s just ok but something else is much better I would appreciate any advice.

 

[Topgunner]

Slow burning

AA#9 is a real slow burner, and gives me a lot of powder residue and muzzle flash. I'm going to experiment with something that burns a little faster and see what that gets me.

From what I've read, the pros of AA9 are that it completely fills the case making overloading next to impossible (which is why I started with it), the compressed powder supports the bullet - decreasing the likelihood of bullet setback, and it gives high velocities with comparatively low pressures.

I'd start with it, and then see what your results with other powders are.

Topgunner

 

[Clark]

Ramshot Enforcer = AA#9 = H108 = WC820

Per Quickload you will find the 124 gr 357 Sig load with AA#9 between 10 gr and 13.3 gr.

The only thing that looks better is up to 9.8 gr Power Pistol.

 

[Steve C]

I've found AA#9 to be a good powder in the .357 mag using hard cast bullets. A 12.2gr load behind a 158gr commercial cast LSWC, CCI550 primer, makes 1,250 fps from my 4" S&W 66. Gives enough pressure to obdurate the hard cast bullet and seal it in the barrel and burns cool enough there's little to no leading.

Its burn rate is simlar to 2400 though its a denser and finer texture powder and doesn't fill the case as well as 2400. It meters well in my Hornady drum and drop tube type powder measure but I had problems with getting consistant throws in my Qnetics measure that has the slide bar type powder drop.

 

[bakert]

I've had good results with AA9 and hard cast bullets in .357 too. Also good results in .45 Colt with cast bullets in heavier loads.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I've achieved outstanding results with AA#9 under 240gr hard cast bullets out of my .44 SRH. Pushing them at 1550fps and is very accurate.

 

[revo]

I used AA No. 9 in my first round of loads yesterday. Man, that stuff has some flash to it... Seems there was a good bit of gritty fouling at the cone too.

Granted, I loaded Ruger-only 45LC (starting load -- 16.8gr) but, sheesh, got a light???

Accuracy was horrendous, but that's 100% on me. My mistake.

Trying the next round of loads with 2400.

 

[griz]

It does work well in the 357 Sig and in 357 Mag with the heavier bullets. #9 is a very fine grain powder and I had some problems with it leaking from a Lee disk measure. That is the only issue I had, I shoot mostly outside so the flash doesn't bother me.

 

[jethro75]

Thanks everyone for their replys. I think I will use AA9 for the 357 sig. I guess my question now is that what would be a good powder for my 454 casull (its a rageing bull and I use it now and then for hunting) and still be a good powder for plinking with a .357 mag?

 

[Lennyjoe]

AA#9 looks like it will do you justice in the .454 as well.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...5Cal(11.5mm)/454 Casull pages 149 and 150.pdf

#9 is a very fine grain powder and I had some problems with it leaking from a Lee disk measure.

Me too, thats why I use the RCBS Chargemaster digital for my .44 mag loads instead of the autodisc.

 

[748]

I use AA No. 9 to reload 33gr and 40gr bullets in 5.7x28mm(FN).
My 5.7 is pushing 33gr bullets around 2400fps and 40gr bullets around 2000fps.
In my 5.7 the big muzzle flash made me think No. 9 was to slow burning, but the perfectly clean bore shows other wise.
It is great stuff for high pressure pistol rounds.
AA No. 9 Burns very clean with Moly coated bullets, CCI mag pistol primers and makes a big yellow muzzle flash.
The bore is very clean after shooting.
I used AA No. 7 in 45ACP+P+ pistol loads and it did the same thing, clean buring, big muzzle flash.
About the only problem I had with it is it will work it's way into my poweder measure and make it a little bit harder to work the lever to throw a charge.
It comes and goes, it will jam up a bit then smooth out.
Other small powders like 748 and WSL do that too, powders that don't that are like H322 and Re15.
But big poweders like H322 you have to cut the kernels of powder when you throw a charge.