AA 5 and .45 ACP suggestions?

Major03 · Sep 7, 2017

Not new to reloading (I've reloaded rifle for about 12 years), but new to reloading pistol.

I'm starting with AA 5 and 230 gr projectiles. Pre-primed brass (large primers). I have a standard Lee die set.

Any suggestions for a starting load...was thinking around 7 grs and working up, figuring on landing somewhere around 8 to 8.5 gr in the end?

Any tips, words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance.

deesly1 · Sep 7, 2017

Major03 said:
Not new to reloading (I've reloaded rifle for about 12 years), but new to reloading pistol.

I'm starting with AA 5 and 230 gr projectiles. Pre-primed brass (large primers). I have a standard Lee die set.

Any suggestions for a starting load...was thinking around 7 grs and working up, figuring on landing somewhere around 8 to 8.5 gr in the end?

Any tips, words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance.

For reloading 45 ACP I only use Bullseye! Cheap and only takes 4.5-5gr. if there are 7000 gr in a 1lb, that's 1400 rounds per 1lb. You can get Bullseye for as cheap as $18/lb. Works in a hand gun, as well as Kriss vector or carbine, can hit targets out to 100 yards!

Major03 · Sep 7, 2017

Yep, I know that's the go to ole reliable. I was going to pick some up and saw some positive things said about AA5 and that it is less dirty.

I'll probably pick some up and try it out after running out of AA 5

noylj · Sep 10, 2017

Doesn't Accurate have data on their web site?
Please, even if someone gives you a pet load, start at the start load and work up.
230gn bullets--lead/plated or jacketed?
For lead/plated, 7.0gn is a max load in one manual, so 6.2-6.3gn is start. Another manual has 7.7gn start and 8.5gn MAX. I start at lowest start load for safety.
For jacketed, start loads range from 6.5-7.8gn and MAX loads range from7.9-8.7gn. Again, start low and work up.
You would be better off with AA2 for .45 Auto, in my experience, but lots of folks like AA5.

Major03 · Sep 10, 2017

Sound advice to start low and work up.

Accurate's load data sheet for a 230 gr fmj is starting 7.8 and max at 8.7

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/accurate_load_data_3.5.pdf

Why do you prefer AA 2 over 5? Just curious and looking to gather info. I was looking for a versatile powder that I could also use for 9mm too...but I'm not tied to using different powders for different calibers.

BUFF7MM · Sep 10, 2017

Major03 said:
Sound advice to start low and work up.

Accurate's load data sheet for a 230 gr fmj is starting 7.8 and max at 8.7

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/accurate_load_data_3.5.pdf

Why do you prefer AA 2 over 5? Just curious and looking to gather info. I was looking for a versatile powder that I could also use for 9mm too...but I'm not tied to using different powders for different calibers.

If you want a good all around powder that I've found to work in just about all my standard handguns is Winchester 231 or HP-38 (same powder), my magnums get others but I've used it in everything from 380 ACP to 45 LC with very good results.

deerassassin22 · Sep 10, 2017

W231 or Clays works good also for 9mm and 45

Major03 · Sep 10, 2017

Thank

. Might order a lb and check it out

noylj · Sep 11, 2017

>Why do you prefer AA 2 over 5?

Just accuracy. All my .45s seem to prefer very fast powders.
Bullet Mfr Nominal Bullet Weight Bullet Type Powder Powder Weight Primer COL Accuracy (25 yds)
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 3.5 WLP 1.259 1.30
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 3.5 WLP 1.259 0.92
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.0 WLP 1.224 1.56
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.5 WLP 1.232 1.94
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.5 WLP 1.232 2.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 5.0 WLP 1.260 1.44
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 5.0 WLP 1.260 1.28
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.0 WLP 1.248 2.94
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.0 WLP 1.248 3.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.5 WLP 1.254 2.25
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.5 WLP 1.254 3.53
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 7.0 WLP 1.252 1.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 7.0 WLP 1.252 2.31

Note: my best 9x19 groups are with powders slower than AA5, particularly Power Pistol and Silhouette.

Major03 · Sep 11, 2017

noylj said:
>Why do you prefer AA 2 over 5?

Just accuracy. All my .45s seem to prefer very fast powders.
Bullet Mfr Nominal Bullet Weight Bullet Type Powder Powder Weight Primer COL Accuracy (25 yds)
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 3.5 WLP 1.259 1.30
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 3.5 WLP 1.259 0.92
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.0 WLP 1.224 1.56
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.5 WLP 1.232 1.94
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 4.5 WLP 1.232 2.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 5.0 WLP 1.260 1.44
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA2 5.0 WLP 1.260 1.28
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.0 WLP 1.248 2.94
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.0 WLP 1.248 3.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.5 WLP 1.254 2.25
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 6.5 WLP 1.254 3.53
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 7.0 WLP 1.252 1.00
NBC 200 L-SWCBB AA5 7.0 WLP 1.252 2.31

Note: my best 9x19 groups are with powders slower than AA5, particularly Power Pistol and Silhouette.

Great data. Thanks for sharing.

Seabee · Sep 17, 2017

The best and cleanest burning powder I've used in 45 is Hodgdon universal. I use it in the ACP and super. It is similar to Unique, another great ACP powder

Seabee · Sep 17, 2017

Accurate powder recommends starting at 6.6 gr and max is 7.7 gr with #5 usinG the hornady 230 gr xtp and a col of 1.210"

Shoobedoo · Sep 17, 2017

deesly1 said:
For reloading 45 ACP I only use Bullseye...

I'll second the vote for Bullseye, It's my go to powder for both .45 and 9mm. Low charge weights, meters very consistently, clean burning, cost effective, and accurate.

That being said, I've used Accurate #2, #5, and #7 in various pistol calibers over the years, and I don't have anything bad to say about any of them, I've just decided to limit the number of different types of powder I'm using these days, it just makes things simpler, and in that regard Bullseye is hard to beat for .45 and 9mm IMHO.

There are a couple of recipes for the 230 gr. .45 ACP bullet and Accurate #5 here.....

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...&Weight=230&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

FWIW, I always found AA powders to be clean burning and they meter consistently.

In general, 7 grains of AA #5 with a 230 gr. bullet ought to be on the mild side of things, but as always, work up your loads carefully, and good luck.

pcfixer · Sep 18, 2017

7.8 816 8.7 927 Velocity is a number to contend with. JMHO as I shoot a lot of 45 acp that 850 velocity is close to factory ammo. suggest that 8.0 or 8.1 as a middle ground and not the full load of 8.7
I have always used Titegroup.

Major03 · Sep 18, 2017

Thanks again folks for all the advice

AA 5 and .45 ACP suggestions?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Major03

Ultimate Member

deesly1

Active Member

Major03

Ultimate Member

noylj

Active Member

Major03

Ultimate Member

BUFF7MM

☠Buff➐㎣☠

deerassassin22

Active Member

Major03

Ultimate Member

noylj

Active Member

Major03

Ultimate Member

Seabee

Old Timer

Seabee

Old Timer

Shoobedoo

US Army Veteran

pcfixer

Ultimate Member

Major03

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Share this page