Winchester 473AA

[kf4zht]

Got a can of powder when I bought out another reloader who was retiring. It's Winchester AA 473AA. Still smells good and mostly full

137407

The only loads I can find for this are on the back of a box of wads that was also included. A google search show a few people talking about this but no real data. Does anyone know if this became something else or just went away.

Would be interested in loading it for pistols or 7/8oz 12 ga skeet loads if possible.

[swheeler]

Find a copy of Speer #11 manual for pistol data on 473AA

[vernm]

I used this load from the Lyman Shotshell Handbook, third edition. Winchester 20ga compression formed case, 16.0gr 473AA, w209 primer, WAA20 wad, 1150fps, 9,700LUP.

Only higher velocity hunting loads were listed for 12ga, 1 1/8oz shot. This powder burns too slow for light 12ga target loads.

[Bumslie]

I have a 10lb keg I'm working through. I love it.

4.4 gr with 230 gr cast for my 45acp
5.4 gr with 200 gr xtreme plated round nose.

Still working on a good load for 9mm

4.4gr for 158 gr SWC in 38 special.

I can take a few pics from speer 11 if you need it.

[kf4zht]

I have a 10lb keg I'm working through. I love it.

4.4 gr with 230 gr cast for my 45acp
5.4 gr with 200 gr xtreme plated round nose.

Still working on a good load for 9mm

4.4gr for 158 gr SWC in 38 special.

I can take a few pics from speer 11 if you need it.

Big thanks, that gives me something to use it for. Sounds like I need to find a speer 11 for several reasons.

[cowboybart]

It also went under a different name - that escapes me right now. I think it was 20 something - referring to 20ga. I had 3 lbs of it under the 20 something name and my research showed it was the same as 473AA.

If I hadn't of spent my 20's in the bottom of a bottle, I could remember the other powder's name - sorry.

[BoolitSchuuter]

I have a copy of Speer #11, what specifically are you looking for?

[hydraulic]

Anyone ever us 473 for light cast bullet loads in .30-06?

[turtlezx]

I have a can also of 473aa and couldnt find any info for it.
Other than 20ga ,seemed strange no other data ??
would be nice if someone could list other uses for this powder.
Iam sure others on this site could then find a use for it
thanx turtlzx

[sargenv]

It can also be used for higher velocity 12 gauge lead loading. This was good stuff back in the 80's. I burned a fair amount of it..

[hydraulic]

Well, I loaded up five rounds of .30-06 today with 8 grs. of 473 and the Lyman 31141 bullet I normally use for 30-30. Fired those five at 100 yds, prone, with no problems. They all hit the paper, nothing to brag about. The recoil was hardly noticeable, and the report was very mild. Tomorrow, baring rain tonight, I'm going to try 10 rds with 10 grains and try a little harder to hold a tighter group.

[Ford SD]

I am far from a expert But

I WOULD NOT SHOOT THOSE LOADS

I think you got lucky on the first set
473 AA was a great powder for 12g trap and light field loads -------> its a fast powder

it was also used in some 45acp loads so its a shotgun and limited pistol powder

it could be very bad in a rifle


Well, I loaded up five rounds of .30-06 today with 8 grs. of 473 and the Lyman 31141 bullet I normally use for 30-30. Fired those five at 100 yds, prone, with no problems. They all hit the paper, nothing to brag about. The recoil was hardly noticeable, and the report was very mild. Tomorrow, baring rain tonight, I'm going to try 10 rds with 10 grains and try a little harder to hold a tighter group.

[Lloyd Smale]

wsf is its replacement

[hydraulic]

Fordsd; Thanks for your concern and the warnings. I'm in the process of cleaning up a lot of stuff I've had around for years. I shot trap with loads from this can of 473, twenty years ago or more. There's about a quarter pound left. I just finished the last of an old can of Red Dot; same load, 10 grains under Lymans 311413. I can still shoot prone and I've been going out to the ranch two or three days a week and shooting 40 rds. at the TQ4 small bore target at 100 yds. Most of the time I can keep them in the black. After this 473 is gone I have a full pound of H110 and another of hp38. I figure I should be up into my 80's before all this is gone, but I'm holding back my Unique and 2400 in case I live too long. As far as your concern about using fast burning powder with cast bullets, read the article by Ed Harris.

[300winmag]

I went thru my Winchester-Western manuals from back in the 70's no data for 7/8 load.
Found 1 load in the Winchester 14th edition 1995 for 7/8 oz, and it calls for 452AA, nothing for 473AA.
I still load a lot of 473AA but for 1 1/8 oz loads.
If I find any data I will shoot you a pm.
Good luck
300

[hydraulic]

Well, I got out to the ranch this afternoon and shot those 10 rounds with 10 grains of 473 under the Lyman 31141 bullet. Still not much recoil but a little louder report. The best part is that I usually shoot in the mid to high 70's, percentage wise, but this time I shot the highest score I've ever shot; 84 which is almost expert! Two 10's, three 9's, three 8's and two 7's. That's with 77 year old eyes, Afib, and congestive heart failure. No signs of pressure-primers are normal. I use the TQ4 small bore target which is almost identical to the SR21. That's the 300yd target reduced to 100. I'm going to go to 12 grains but probably won't be able to shoot until after the 4th. Hate to keep you waiting in breathless anticipation.

[JMax]

I loaded up a number of 9mm 124 gr TC bullets with 3.8, 4.0 and 4.2 gr of Win 473AA. Did not have the ability to chrono as was at a public range and targets were at 15 yards max. I used my Glock 17 (yes I shoot cast in my Glock) and my Smith 986 7 shot revolver. The 3.8 gr load was dropping brass at my feet with the other loads ejecting properly. After firing 80 rds through the Glock and 42 through the Smith with satisfactory off hand accuracy(I held a master card in PPC and Expert in bullseye). Off to home for cleaning. The Glock bore was mirror bright with a couple of strokes with a bronze brush. The Smith was also clean with a few strokes with the bronze brush followed with the same dry patch. Next weekend I will reevaluate at 4.2 and 4.4 gr.
this powder looks like a winner for my 9 and I will start on a 200gr 45ACP load in the next few weeks.

[rollmyown]

I passed on a kilo and a half of this powder about 2 or 3 years ago. I wanted it for pistol cartridges and reduced rifle loads. It had kept well, but at the time I couldn't find data to suit my needs so I passed on it. It's a shame because I could have had it for $50 which was dirt cheap.

[hydraulic]

I got back out to the ranch Saturday and shot 40 rounds with 12 grains of 473. Accuracy was really good; shot one of my best scores. I reloaded the cases yesterday and found that about 1 out of 4 had slightly flattened primers. I don't think there's a problem, but I'm only shooting this powder fro the fun of it. Anyway, I dropped the powder charge to 11 1/2 grains just in case. Lyman 31141 170gr. Used up the last of the magnum rifle primers I had when I used to use them when loading black powder in my .45-70 Shiloh. I have several hundred magnum pistol primers that need to go. I don't think I can get more than another hundred rounds out of that can of 473, so my next victim is a full pound of H110. This is all part of my program to get rid of the stuff sitting around that will be a burden to the Mrs. Wouldn't you believe it; a friend has asked me if I would be interested in several cans of 700x that a relative of his wants to get rid of.

[Rich/WIS]

The Speer #11 has some good data for it. Have tried it in 38 and 357, 44 Mag and 45 ACP. Burning up stash now in my 1911 with 5.1 grs behind a 215-217 SWC. Functions well in my SA Range Officer with a 14lb recoils spring and 19lb hammer spring. Definitely not a hot load, can see bullet in flight, but accurate and pleasant to shoot.

[JMax]

Could you make a copy of the 38 and 45 load data from the Speer #11 manual and let me know by PM so I could send you my email addy?

Thanks,

[300winmag]

JMax, I sent you a PM
300

[turtlezx]

Jmax
how about a copy of the data here so others could see it ??

[300winmag]

Turtlezx I can send it to you.
300

[redgum]

Jmax
how about a copy of the data here so others could see it ??
Great Idea....

if not, Could you send me a copy of the data please 300winmag

[300winmag]

Sent to your email, hope it works out.
Happy loading.
300

[P Flados]

I used 473 for 12 ga. when I first started reloading. It would be a really nice day if I suddenly acquired a bunch more.

l would put it between red dot and green dot in burn rate.

Even though it is slower than the fastest powders, green dot is what I would say is at the "slow end of the fast" powders. In other words, anything green dot or faster, I would lump into "fast burning - frequently sold for shotgun" powders. For comparison, Unique is on the edge (probably more medium than fast), and blue dot is definitely "not fast".

I have never see any credible write-up or evidence of a problem when what I call "fast burning" is used to "work up" a load using the "standard rules" that were in place before the first digital based chamber pressure measurement systems told us what idiots we all were.

Most all handgun rounds have some load data for "fast burning" powder that can get you in the ballpark for a starting load.

When moving up to bottleneck, any "fast burning" powder works just fine for mild cast boolit ammo. Any these powders "perform" real close to the Ed Harris universal load of Red Dot. The charge might be different than the 13 gr. of Red Dot, but if you find a charge of your powder that will give the same velocity as 13 gr of Red Dot, the overall performance will be about the same. Going less (within reason) just makes it "milder", going hotter should only be done where you are sure your pressures are less than factory ammo.

If someone local told me that a mostly full 8 lb jug of the stuff was available at a good price, I would pull out my wallet without even a second thought. As a ball powder, it can be expected to meter great even with very small charges. With a burn rate in the Red Dot to Green Dot range, good target/plinking loads for most any pistol can probably be worked up.

Please note that the above all applies only to those who understand what they are doing. If you do not, and you have a bunch of this powder, reach out to one of us that does so that we can help you get rid of something you should not play with :p

[Rich/WIS]

Used it in pistol rounds with the Speer #11 data in 45 ACP, and 38/357. Still have a pound or so on hand from when I went to Bullseye for 45. Don't load for 38/357 anymore.

[Budzilla 19]

This might not be the correct place for this, but here goes!! Having some of this discontinued powder on hand, I set out to look for a Speer #11 reloading manual! Wow!!! $104.95 !!! Are ya kidding me!!! Well, I didn’t fall for that ripoff!! My wife has an Amazon prime account, sooooooo, I now own not 1, but 2 copies of the Speer #11 reloading manual!!!! ( one for my reloading partner) And for the lowly sum of $38.98 shipped to my door!!!! So, guys, keep looking, the bargains are out there!!! ( btw, they had some for $12 also). Both books look to be brand new. I’m pleased. Just a little info. The ‘Zilla.

[Patrick L]

Back in the 80s when I satrted loading skeet loads, 473AA was the 20 ga powder, 452AA was the 12 ga powder. I didn't load metallic at the time so I didn't pay attention to any loads for such.

[turtlezx]

i use both 473 and 452 for 45acp rounds with good luck thru a pro 1000 same bushing for both just a diffent weight
452 5.2gr 473 6.0 gr with a 160gr boolit so possibly less powder with a 230gr boolit work up loads that will cycle in your gun
10 lb jug will last a while 11,666

[redgum]

WW-473AA
From speer #11 (1987)

38 spec.

148gr BBWC 4.3 867 4.9 933
158gr SWC 4.4 762 4.8 864

110gr JHP 5.8 997 6.5 +P 1098
125gr JHP 4.3 877 5.1 +P 968
158gr JHP 5.2 837 5.8 +P 918


357 mag

140gr JHP 8.8 1151 9.8 1239
158gr JHP 8.3 1092 8.8 1136