Light Load of Accurate No. 9?

[Barmcd]

I bought a pound each of H110, Accurate No. 9, and 2400 to see which one I liked best for 44 Magnum loads. I ended up liking H110 and use 2400 for 45 Colt rifle loads. That means I have most of a lb. of Accurate No. 9 left and nothing to use it on. Can I make light .357 or 44 Mag loads with it? I know H110 doesn't like partial loads, but I've not heard anything about Accurate No. 9 although its erratic nature was one of the reasons I chose H110.

 

[EricBu]

I've reduced AA9, though performance wise...there are better choices out there. The old printed Accurate Arms load data had more options like that as well. Of all the slow pistol powders, AA9 is probably one of the more forgiving for reduced loads, but there comes a point where it makes more sense to use AA7 or AA5 to get to the same place. Honestly, the start charges as published today for AA9 in 357 and 44 Mag are pretty manageable, and I would consider them light loads for the caliber, though not the "lightest".

 

[gwpercle]

Accurate #9 is a "slow" powder and needs a certain amount of pressure to burn completely and cleanly .
Small charges don't work well but if you can find one of thw Western Powders Handloading Guides ...
I have Editions 6.0 and Edition 7.0 ... these "Guides" may be on line for viewing ... but there are plenty loads for 357 Magnum w/ Accurate #9 with 12 different bullet weights ... I don't know if any are "light" but there is AA#9 data to be had ... hang on to the powder ... you may not have a use at this moment ...
but Tomorrow is another day ... and who knows what that will hold !
Gary

 

[AJC1]

#9 loves pressure and doesn't really like being below 30kish psi. I don't use 296/h100 #9 is my heavy load powder.... it does have other listing including reduced rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

It will "work", but AA # 9 doesn't download very well.

 

[BW460]

No. 9 will work well in your .357, but not at light loads.

 

[Barmcd]

Thanks for the replies. It kind of verified what I was thinking. One of the reason I didn’t like it was the inconsistency and large extreme spreads I experienced. I’ll probably just use it up by making regular 357 loads with it. I just don’t shoot a lot of 357 so I’ll have a good supply…unless I buy a Rossi 357 rifle!

 

[joneb]

Here is my story with Accurate #9. I followed X reloading data for #9 in .357 mag. with 158gr jhp with standard primers the charge was around 12.2gr which gave poor accuracy stuck cases and cratered primers. I then tried Accurate's data for the same jhp bullet weight and primer. 13.6-13.8gr gave excellent accuracy and zero over pressure signs in a Ruger Sec. Six
I would not down load #9.

 

[Charlie98]

I just don’t shoot a lot of 357 so I’ll have a good supply…unless I buy a Rossi 357 rifle!

That's basically my story with IMR4227. Starting .41MAG loads were horrible... and I was like 'I'm stuck with 2# of this garbage?!?!' So I bumped the charge up to the middle of the published data for use in my Marlin 1894 .41MAG, and loaded the rest of it out... and found out that's where it really shined. It's now a regular stock powder for me. It's also fantastic in reduced cast rifle cartridges.

So... I think you owe it to that pound of AA#9... buy that .357 rifle!!!

 

[bullseye308]

Just hang onto it, at some point that could be the only powder you have to load them with.

 

[Big Wes]

I like AA #9 in 357 sig

 

[dobedo]

I use H110 and #9 for my .500 S&W loads. 350 grain heads loaded with 40 grains of #9 and 45 grains of H110.

 

[41 Mag]

I load a lot of jacketed and cast using #9. As mentioned it works best at the medium to top end ranges for the data used.

My 357 load uses 13.0grs under the MP 359-640 HP cast bullet. It shoots great from my GP-100's. It also works well with most 158gr jacketed or same and heavier cast bullets.

I also use between about 18 and 21grs loading various 240gr 44mag loads. I use these in a Redhawk, Henry rifle and 14" Contender. Also could throw in 41, 45C, 454, and 30 Carbine loads too. The pistol rounds are all put through Ruger, Taurus, and Freedom Arms revolvers.

 

[243winxb]

No 9 position sensitive powder? In 357 with 163 gr lswc @12.1 grs Fed mag primer. Seems to make 2 groups @ 25 yards.

No chronograph to test it. Sold chronograph back in the 70's, not buying another.

 

[N555]

Load AA9 near the top.

 

[Barmcd]

I've decided to load as many 44 mag cases with 18 grains of No. 9 and 240 grain Hornady XTPs as I can. I've tested that load and it nets me 1200 FPS although the ES and SD are nothing to write home about.