Accurate No.5 with 158 gr. LSWC 357 mag

[Buckeye357]

I picked up a lb. of Accurate No.5,never used any Accurate powder before. I would like some loads for 158gr. MBC LSWC either #12 or 18 Brinell hardness . I'm interested in some light to medium target 357 mag loads. I'll be shooting them in a S&W new model 66 with a 4.25" barrel.I do have a new Accurate reloading guide but would like some real world results. Thanks for input.

 

[Wil Terry]

WAIT A MINUTE: Loading data from manuals IS REAL WORLD information !!
I've burned up #5 by the keg and it is not all that good for light loads, information well noted in their loading manual. IT is far better in +P 38SPL loads than in ANY of the 357MAG factory equivelent loads.
As a matter of fact I tested #5 in ALL my 38/357 sixguns, 2", 3", 4", 5", 5 1/2", 6", 6 1/2", 7 1/2", and 8 3/8". I duplicated ALL their manual loads in the pressure gun and that data was noting short of superb and was the ONLY propellent tested to shoot damn fine in every gun;ALL OF 'EM !!!
And so it goes...

 

[ljnowell]

AA#5 is a fantastic powder. Depending on what you definition of light or target load is, it will work great.

For true light loads AA#2 would be better, but you can do great with #5. Just follow the manual and look for accuracy.

Btw, you will never find powders that meter better than the AA powders for handguns.

 

[Buckeye357]

WAIT A MINUTE: Loading data from manuals IS REAL WORLD information !!
I've burned up #5 by the keg and it is not all that good for light loads, information well noted in their loading manual. IT is far better in +P 38SPL loads than in ANY of the 357MAG factory equivelent loads.
As a matter of fact I tested #5 in ALL my 38/357 sixguns, 2", 3", 4", 5", 5 1/2", 6", 6 1/2", 7 1/2", and 8 3/8". I duplicated ALL their manual loads in the pressure gun and that data was noting short of superb and was the ONLY propellent tested to shoot damn fine in every gun;ALL OF 'EM !!!
And so it goes...

Maybe I need to rephrase my last sentence. How about, give me some favorite loads developed from all the real world people who have used Accurate No. 5 for 158 gr. LSWC in 357 Magnum. I have a full library of good reloading manuals with excellent data that I rely on to help with my loadings and I use them to compile information that was gathered by experts in the field. I'm looking for info like you posted that will guide me down the right path.With burn rates close to HS-6,Hodgdon CFE Pistol, and Ramshot True Blue I thought No. 5 would be a good midrange performer in 357 mag.

 

[Buckeye357]

AA#5 is a fantastic powder. Depending on what you definition of light or target load is, it will work great.

For true light loads AA#2 would be better, but you can do great with #5. Just follow the manual and look for accuracy.

Btw, you will never find powders that meter better than the AA powders for handguns.

Thanks for input I would have grabbed No.2 for my light loadings but LGS had every Accurate offering but No. 2,which would have been the better choice.I would like a nice .38 +P or a little hotter type load that I can do with my 357 mag brass I have. I have 2400 and 296 for my full mag loads that I have used over the years. Keep all the help coming greatly appreciated.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I use 8.2gr with xtreme 158gr CPFP for my 357 snubby, I don't use it for light loads, I use Bullseye for the light loads.

 

[ljnowell]

Thanks for input I would have grabbed No.2 for my light loadings but LGS had every Accurate offering but No. 2,which would have been the better choice.I would like a nice .38 +P or a little hotter type load that I can do with my 357 mag brass I have. I have 2400 and 296 for my full mag loads that I have used over the years. Keep all the help coming greatly appreciated.

It you are looking for 38+p type loads you will be very happy with that selection. I have used it for that and full power hollow points in 380 for my dads carry gun.

 

[Buckeye357]

I looked in my Hornady 7 th Handbook and it lists AA No. 5 for their 158 gr. soft lead bullets at a 5.5 gr start load 700 fps to 7.3 gr. max 950 fps . The Western Powders handgun data has 158 gr. LSWC start load at 8.0 gr at 1,100 fps and max at 9.0 gr. at 1,200 fps. I know the hardness of bullet makes a difference but 5.5grs. to 9.0 grs. is a big span?

 

[Buckeye357]

Here's the Western Powders data. Accurate .

 

[Walkalong]

big span?

Not really, that is two different spans.

I would buy some 12 BHN 158s, and use the 8.0 to 9.0 Gr data.

If the throats are slightly bigger than your groove diameter it should be fine. If your throats are .358/9 and the groove diameter is .357/8, you'll probably be fine with either BHN. As long as the throat diameter isn't smaller than the groove diameter. If the throats are much bigger than .359, you might need bigger diameter bullets, but maybe not with the 12 BHN, as they should bump up OK. Just gotta try em.

But either way, you'll be able to find a nice load with lead 158s and AA #5. It's a good combination for midrange .357 Mag loads.

 

[joneb]

For 357 mag. with 158gr LSWC BHN 12-14 I would try 7.8-8.2 of #5 with a standard pistol primer. Nice load

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like Accurate Powders and would use them more if they were available in my area. AA#5 will be fine for what you want to load. I developed a great Gold Dot .38 Special +P replica load with AA#5.

 

[Catpop]

Not relevant to op, but if you also shoot a 45 acp, you will love AA5.
Now you have spurred me into trying it in my 357!
Tx, catpop

 

[Hondo 60]

In my experience with Accurate #5, it meters very well.
Has tiny flakes, but I have to load on the hot side, otherwise I get a bunch of unburned powder.

I emailed their ballistician Johann, and for my 45 Colt 200 gr lead bullets he said 10.5 - 11.5.
At 10.5, 10.7 & 10.9 I was getting a lot of yellow (half burned) flakes.
Once I bumped it up to 11.0 it was much better, not perfect, but better.
That seemed like enough recoil for me & my gun so I stopped there.
I bet I'd get no unburned flakes if I went even higher.

Good Luck in finding the right equation for you & your gun.

 

[41 Mag]

You should find a nice load for what your looking into with #5. The Hornady data you posted is for a soft swaged lead bullet and not a cast one. As for the cast ones, also like mentioned the BHN area of around 12-14 is great, you shouldn't need anything higher for what your looking at, or even higher in reality as long as they fit well.

The Accurate data is excellent and they DO take into consideration using a harder alloy for their loads. I use all of the Accurate powders from #2 through #9 for different loads and have not found their data to be wrong yet. Also as pointed out on the lower end your going to see some yellowish stuff left over but it doesn't effect accuracy. On the higher end you will find it burns pretty clean and gives very consistent velocity and accuracy.

 

[Mauser69]

In my experience with Accurate #5, it meters very well.
Has tiny flakes, but I have to load on the hot side, otherwise I get a bunch of unburned powder.

I emailed their ballistician Johann, and for my 45 Colt 200 gr lead bullets he said 10.5 - 11.5.
At 10.5, 10.7 & 10.9 I was getting a lot of yellow (half burned) flakes.
Once I bumped it up to 11.0 it was much better, not perfect, but better.
That seemed like enough recoil for me & my gun so I stopped there.
I bet I'd get no unburned flakes if I went even higher.

Good Luck in finding the right equation for you & your gun.

That is an interesting observation. I just started experimenting with Acc #5 in my .44 and have not noticed any issue with unburned powder yet. I loaded 8.5 grains behind 180g cast BH12 and 200g coated bullets in .44 Spl with good results. Those clocked in at 992 fps and 1021 fps and felt like pretty stout loads for the .44 Spl. (I started near the upper end with those loads 'cause I was specifically looking to generate pressures around 13,000 - 14,000 PSI in my Super Blackhawk for a leading test.)

Just comparing the .44 Spl and .45 Colt load data, it looks like my load might have been comparable to your heavier loads, so maybe that is why I haven't seen any unburned powder yet. I have some 7.5 and 8.0 grain loads ready for testing today, so I'll watch for it.

 

[Buckeye357]

I was able to shoot 100 rounds today that I loaded last night.
I loaded to different loads of 50.
First load Brass = Starline 357 mag
Powder AA # 5 - 8.0gr.
Primer CCI. 500
Bullet MBC. 158gr. .38 Match Br 12
Second load of 50
Brass= Starline 357 mag
Powder AA No.5 - 8.3 gr.
Primer CCI. 500
Bullet. MBC .38 Match Br. #12
I shot 10 yards standing. I'm happy with results I shot better with the 8.3gr. loads and didn't have any leading issues with either loads. Felt recoil was not harsh at all and a little powder left in barrel that cleaned up easily.
I'm happy with results so far with only shooting 50 rounds each , I don't have a chronograph so I can't post any velocity #'s. Thanks to everyone for input .

 

[Buckeye357]

More pictures

Here's target with 8.3 gr. loads.

 

[Buckeye357]

One more

Another with 8.3grs. I'm liking this powder and bullet combo.

 

[Buckeye357]

Picture of barrel after 100 rounds.

 

[ljnowell]

Just a little powder residue and that's it. The Accurate pistol powders are my favorite.

 

[Buckeye357]

More loads

I loaded more AA#5 I went .2 grs below Accurate's start weight of 8 grs. at 7.8 grs. and also went to 8.5 grs. everything else remained unchanged. I was able to shot these today and I really am pleased with this powder and how it performs with my pistol and component combination. The 7.8 gr. load was a great mild load that shot well and was lead free. The 8.5 gr. load had some snap to it and was very clean and accurate. This may end up being my mid magnum go to powder. I now have 4 powders that fill all my 357 mag needs. Win 296 for my full on JHP magnum load,2400 for my full to mid lead magnum loads,AA#5 for light to medium lead loads and Trail Boss for light 357 lead loads. Pictures are 5 shots off hand at 10 yards.

 

[Buckeye357]

Redo of picture.

 

[lckdnldd]

Thanks for the post Buckeye. I have been kicking around the idea of #5 as a somewhat close replacement for HP-38. I too load for .357 mag along with 38spl., 45 auto and .380 auto

 

[joneb]

I have been kicking around the idea of #5 as a somewhat close replacement for HP-38

I think Accurate #2 would be a better choice for most of the cartridges you listed.