Accurate No. 2 load tips?

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RussellC

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Bought some of this powder recently, and my first rounds (9mm, 124 gr RN 1.08 oal 3.6 grs No.2) were cycling the action of my Glock 17 but were most definitely of the "kitty poot" power range. This was a starting load, but was weak, sounded weak, brass just ejecting slightly up, and drop at feet. I have upped it a littleand will try later today, but was wondering what others here have done. I have the Lee book, Lyman Book, Hornady book as well as the down loaded info from Accurate.

It does mention on the bottle that it may be ideal where short barrel conceal guns are concerned, because of its inherent low flash and MILD RECOIL. Hopefully I didnt buy 8 lbs of kitty poot powder! Before I waste any more, any favorite loads with a little more juice to them out there? (with No. 2 of course)

Thanks in advance for any info here,

Russellc
 
I have used AA2 for 10mm out of a Glock 29 and liked it. That being said, it is an awful fast powder for a high pressure round like 9mm in a full length barrel. Rather than get rid of the powder, I recommend buying a 39 special and shoot target loads. Perfect for that.
 
AA#2 is what I use for .38spl wadcutters. I've also made some .45 LSWC target rounds with it, IIRC. It's a fast powder. I wouldn't suggest it as a powder for full-power loads in something like 9mm... not enough area under the curve before you hit peak pressure. But for plinking rounds and dropping brass into a catch bag at your feet, it can be just the trick.
 
I also shoot a S & W Shield in 9mm, so I am covered on the short barrel thing, just wondering if anyone has made some reasonable power loads. This is my second trip to the range over this powder, I have load info (existing load gleened from that) it is just that this one was particularly weak...so just wondering about those that have been down the road before me.

As to the 10mm, the seller went on and on about how well he liked it in that caliber. On the Accurate site, they dont even show a 10 mm load for it...which does not necessarily mean a thing of course. Looking things over now, I should have probably gotten the No. 5 or No. 7, but was told THIS was the stuff I wanted for 9mm....he was short on pistol powder and may have been all he had, I had not previously used Accurate powders, so had no familiarity with it. Did score 8 lbs of 1680 for 300 BLK OUT loads...

Russellc
 
Ooh, I'm jealous on the Enforcer, although I did find an 8 pounder of AA #9.

AA#2 will not give top velocities in 9MM as it is a bit fast for that, but it will do much better than kitty poot loads.

AA #5 or #7 would be a better choice for full power 9MM loads, but I bet you find a good use for the AA #2, as it is a very useful powder.
 
AA2 isn't designed for hyper velocity loading, it's a target powder. Trying to attain full power loads with it is not a favorable task, and will likely result in some pressure spikes as you approach it's limitation. For full power loads I would recommend slower burners as follows:

Blue dot
AA7
AA9.
Longshot
HS6

And a good number of others.

GS
 
Sorry, everyone seems to think I want a "full power" load. No, I just want to know if anyone else having used this powder can suggest a load that is at least on par with standard 9mm ammo.

I have several other powders that are great for more powerful loads, but the question at hand is aimed at Accurate No.2...

Thanks all,

Russellc
 
gamestalker said:
AA2 isn't designed for hyper velocity loading, it's a target powder. Trying to attain full power loads with it is not a favorable task, and will likely result in some pressure spikes as you approach it's limitation. For full power loads I would recommend slower burners as follows:

Blue dot
AA7
AA9.
Longshot
HS6

And a good number of others.

GS
Click to expand...
Yes, I have HS-6, also Unique, HP-38/Win 231, and a few others, question concerns this jug of No.2 I am staring at! Not looking for full power loads, Just something stronger than the pellet gun strength rounds I fired! LOL

Russellc
 
You could go up to the AA maximum of 3.8 grains No 2 for a 124 cast.
Does one of your other books show more?

I have not used AA #2 except in .45 and cannot supply a tested recipe, much less a recommendation for an overload. If the gun functions, let er' poot.
 
I use 4.3grs of AA#2 for 115gr plated pills, and it's a very accurate and clean-burning load in both of my Beretta's (4" and 5" barrels). I have never loaded 124gr, so I can't help you out with a proven recipe, but if you keep working up from your 3.6 starting load, you should find a load that will meet your expectations.
 
I've used A#2 with 115 lead round nose, 4.2 grains at 1.070". It was a decent loading. Also, 3.5 grains under lead 147 grainers at 1.120" and it was also okay. Neither was a favorite, but both were serviceable plinking loads.
 
Looking at AA #2 data, you seem to have room to increase the powder charge.

I have notes on a 9MM load where I used 4.2 Grs and a Ranier 124 Gr RN @ 1.060. My notes say it was light with lots of soot on the case.

On another it is 4.6 Grs and a Ranier 124 Gr RN and it only gave 986 FPS.

5.1 grs and a Hornady 115 Gr encapsulated RN gave 1035 from a 3" EMP, 1051 from a 3" XD, 1106 from a 4 1/2" TZ, & 1274 from a 16" KelTec carbine.

I have no idea what pressures these operate at, but going by the velocities etc, I was comfortable with them. Use at your own risk!
 
I think AA#2 in 9mm makes a nice target round. It has a light recoil. I've been loading Berry's 124 HBRN at 3.9gr and 4.0gr OAL at 1.13. My SR9 shoots them with no issues and I find the accuracy very good. The M&P 9 is still relatively new and they cycle that one fine now that is has a few hundred rounds through it.
 
Thanks, guys...I have several books as well as the Accurate info downloaded from their site. I am working my way up and am starting to get there. Seems like I may need some more 115 grain bullets. thanks for the tips, while working it up from a low point is the safe way to go, the one I loaded was so weak it just barely worked the action, but did. I have come up a little, but looking at all the "recipes" one in the Hornady book, (which usually seems very consevative) has one that begins where most end....so I thought I better see what others had done. Dont worry, I am still working my way up from the 3.6 load.

Russellc
 
Russell,

I have loaded, AA2 in 9mm with various bullet weights and shot my loads over a chronograph in several firearms. You seem to be having problems with AA2 giving you weak loads?

"Sorry, everyone seems to think I want a "full power" load. No, I just want to know if anyone else having used this powder can suggest a load that is at least on par with standard 9mm ammo."


Since you don't report actual velocity figures for your loads I assume you are basing the strength of your loads on perceived or felt recoil, brass ejection etc.

I have a personal policy not to get involved in load data specifics here on THR other than to occasionally post some chrony results. In this case my personal data is not in the exact order I would like it to be but I can say without a doubt that loads you are looking for with AA2 are at or maybe even .1 gr(one tenth) over the current MAX loads. To determine this:

1. I went on line to look at Accurate data and the current load for Accurate/Western Powder

2. I referenced various older published Accurate booklets and their older full manual.

3. You need to be at or close to their current max loads.

I can tell you are cautious but you are getting less than optimum response from otherwise knowledgeable THR members by presenting the AA2 start loads as a basis for your dissatisfaction. Those start loads do not fairly reflect AA2 potential as a propellant. At (or near) max loads have low recoil and the lowest flash I know of in 9mm handgun loads. When you actually chrony the loads you will see that the powder's low flash and recoil is hiding very decent standard velocity results.

I started with Accurate powders back in the 90s by using No 5 in all kinds of handgun loads, then I tried No 7 and one pound of No 9; and I found that 50% to 80% increases in grains per load only produced 10-15% increases in velocity. A few years went by and I discovered the low flash results of No 2 in some low light, local BUG matches. It is a good powder and the guy who recommended it to you was actually correct.

:):):)
 
Yes, and with the short barrel Smith Shield the low flash will be appreciated. The low energy round I complained of barely ejected from the gun, and the report was low....low enough that if I hadnt seen holes forming on the target I would have checked the barrel.

I have the Accurate Powder info, and that is where I got load info from...as well as other sources. I noticed the charges varied considerably, but so did the OAL, from 1.035 to 1.145.

One load from Hornady got me thinking: It calls for 4.3 grains for 1000 ft per second, 4.7 for 1050 ft per second, and a max of 5.1 for 1100 ft per second. This seemed high as most other data I looked at for No.2 maxed out at 4.3 and this one just starts there. It should be noted, this is at an OAL of 1.100" for the 115 grain hornady RN, and 1.075 for the 115 grain HP XTP. Lee Shows a load at the same OAL, (115 grain "Jacketed Bullet" with a start load of 3.6 and a max load of 4.5. Seeing this compared to the Hornady load is what prompted me to ask for people here for advice on #2.

I have loaded some newer rounds from the Accurate data using 115 grain Berry's RN 3.7 starting charge and 4.7 max charge at OAL of 1.130. Since I had used 3.6 (with 124 grain bullet) already, I upped it a little....still not power houses, but more what I was looking for. A little stronger ejection, but still at the feet and a more normal, but a little subdued report. Very mild recoil.

I think this powder will be better suited to .40 and especially .45 loads, which I plan on needing soon!

Russellc
 
I've been loading 9mm 124 gr plated round nose with 4.4 gr of Accurate #2 with a COL of 1.130".
These loads seem to shoot well in my "short barrel" guns - Ruger SR9c, Kahr PM9, Glock 26.

I also load 40 cal 165 gr plated flat nose with 5.2 gr of Accurate #2 with a 1.125" COL.

Used up the 1 lb I bought. Now I can't find more.
 
I'm guessing the salesmen sold you what he had, not what you needed. For the most part AA#2 is way too fast for loading 9mm ammo. Like said above AA#5 and AA#7 would have been much better choices. I know you said you weren't looking for really hot loads but with AA#2 in the 9mm pressures are going to climb quickly when you get near normal 9mm velocities. For range ammo AA#5 would have been the choice IMO. W231 and Unique will also do a better job than AA#2.

For handgun ammo there is no reason to change powders for a short barrel. The powder that gives you the highest velocities in a 4" barrel will do the same in a shorter barrel too. Sorry it's not what you want to hear but that's the facts...
 
I know some who use it with 147gr 9mm minor PF production class loads and like it.
heavier bullets--fast powders.

Be careful with the drops. The case will hold a triple load. I use some AA#5 and it will too.
 
I've never had any issue with No. 2 in my 9 from a Kahr PM9 (sub compact) using 115. Although I do load at the low end (3.8 & 4.0 grns)
 
aa2 works just fine in 9mms. Ive been using it and the surplus version for 9mm loading for the last 10 years. 4.0-4.8 grains of it will do just fine in most guns with a 125 grain bullet. 4.8 will give you near factory ballistics and ive loaded it as hot as 5 grains with absolutely no problem wiht pressures in any of my guns. Its also one of the most accurate powders ive found for my 9s. Works great in the 40sw too. As it does for slightly reduced 45acp, 45colt and 44 special loads. If its not suited to the 9mm guns ive been fooling them for along time. Its also a much cleaner burning powder then aa5 or aa7
 
Last edited:
Thanks again everybody, I realize what the powder is and its limitations for 9mm. Thought I could get some ideas to work up loads to, and you guys are proving them. All this is compared and contrasted to The Accurate load info, as well as other data. I also mean to soon acquire .40 S&W and .45 auto, where it will get more use. It sure does make finding your brass much easier!

Russellc
 
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