No. 5 anyone?

[hawkeye1]

I came across a batch of Accurat No. 5 for a great price. In these times, I just couldn't pass it up.
My question is, does anyone use this much? My plans are for standard loads in handgun calibers. I load everything from 380 to 45 colt. Just curious what your opinion are on this. Seems to take a bit more in grains to get similar velocity than my old standby, W231.
Also have a couple pounds of No. 7. But it doesn't seem very efficient for same rounds, according to load manuals.

[metricmonkeywrench]

#5 has been my mainstay for .38 and 9mm with plated bullets and some of my cast.

#7 gave me some good returns in 9mm with 124g jacketed and with .357 plated loads.

[ShooterAZ]

I use AA5 in 45ACP and 45 Auto Rim. It meters well, and gives good accuracy.

[Taterhead]

No. 5 is a nice handgun medium burner
It will work well pretty in applications similar tk Unique, WSF, Silhouette, etc. Good stuff. You did well to snag it. I especially like it in 9mm.

As you can see, the only demerit to No. 5 is efficiency. It does require a relatively greater charge weight than others near its burn speed. But powder is not a major part of handgun ammo cost, so it doesn't bother me.

[Kraschenbirn]

Shooting IPSC years ago, I went through 20-25 lbs. of AA#5 a year in .45 ACPs alone from the late '80s 'til the end of the 90s. Also works pretty good in 9mm and .44 Spl. so I still keep a jug on the shelf.

Bill

[murf205]

It's not position sensitive, burns clean, accurate as any other powder, doesn't need mag primers, runs ultra smooth through a measure, reasonably priced(by today's standards anyway)---what's not to like? You did well buying it.

[dannyd]

It’s Western Powders; Unique

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I've used Accurate No. 5 with great success in .38 Spec., 9mm Luger, and .45 Auto. Buy all you can get!

DG

[hawkeye1]

Thanks for the comments. Figured for the price, couldn't go wrong.
Have been going back rereading past threads, wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

[Old Caster]

It is a good powder but don't leave it in your plastic powder hopper like you could with your 231.

[dla]

Great powder if you want to take you 45acp into +p territory and beyond.
I burned a lot of before I discovered Ramshot Silhouette.

[Stopsign32v]

It is a good powder but don't leave it in your plastic powder hopper like you could with your 231.

What?

[jsizemore]

Used to be my go to powder for 45acp. Then I got cheap with Promo.

[dondiego]

What?

It has a solvent that will score the plastic.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

AA5 is a dense powder.
works well if case capacity becomes an issue.
I have used it in 40S&W with heavy for caliber application and it worked well.
If you search in the Swaging section, you might find my load workup.

[rockshooter]

like dannyd said- it will cover what unique does but measures much better!
Loren

[gwpercle]

When I couldn't find any Unique , local dealer got in a shipment of Accurate Arms Powders .
Have been working with AA#5 in 38 Special , 38 Special +P and 357 Magnum loads .
To me it seems to be a trifle slower than Unique ...but similar in application ... where you would use Unique you can use AA#5 but the charges are not the same .
The powder measures very well but , like Unique , has a min. pressure range to get a clean and complete burn . Western Powders had a nice load data center and a reloading Load Data Guide (paper back) they would mail you , now they have come out with a large Reloading Manual (hard cover) so there is plenty of data out there .
I like AA #5 but I've been reloading with Unique since 1967 ... it's hard to dump Unique for the "New Kid on the Block" . I did that a few years ago and still have two pounds of Alcan #5 ... when's the last time you heard of Alcan #5 ...the "New Kid" came on strong , petered out quickly and went away ... Unique , still alive and well !
Gary

[downzero]

AA #5 is the first powder I ever reloaded with. I mostly load target stuff at target velocity for USPSA and Cowboy Action shooting, but it will make great handgun ammo in almost any caliber.

[Bullthrower]

#5 has given me my best groups in my .45 autos & excellent reliability. The old gold medal loads with bullseye is a close second but is low velocity. I also use it a lot in .38+P loads with excellent results. Now if I can find some more…


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[armoredman]

I'd kill a small animal for some AA#7, was my go-to for 9mm for years. Also used #5, but wasn't enamored thereof.

[charlie b]

I wish I could find some #5 and #7. 5 was my go to powder for medium loads, 7 for heavier loads. .45acp, .357 and 9mm.

[TribunusSanGeorgii]

I tried it in .40S&W a few years back.

Wouldn't have a problem using it again.