Opinions on AA #9

[insanelupus]

Just wondered what the opinions are on AA #9. I and several of my friends have used various AA powders with much satisfaction. Out of curiosity, I'm thinking about picking up a pound to do some testing with my .44 Magnums. Most of the loads will be using either the Lyman 429244 or Lyman 429640.

I've used Unique, WW 231, IMR 4227, 2400, and H110 in the past. All with varying degrees of satisfaction depending on the purpose and use. Most of my uses will be for hunting loads and plinking.

[beagle]

I've used AA9 successfully in the .44 Magnum for many years.

Kinda runs right along with the H110 and WC820 loads. Data is not interchangeable but is in the same burn range and I've burned a bunch of it in the .44 Mags.

Of course, I've burned a bunch of other powders in the .44 Mag that I like better but AA9's good as any./beagle

[MT Gianni]

I use AA9 data with my surplus WC820 which is supposed to be very similar. I have absolutly no complaints.

[fecmech]

I burned up an 8 lb jug of AA9C a few years ago and had good results. As previous posters have commented it works great in the mag pistols as does 296, H110, wc820.

[saz]

I have never loaded with it, but a friend on mine uses it religously in his .44 mag. I tried a few of his bear loads once, they were 355gr BTB's over a modest charge of AA#9, and turned out around 1075fps in my 4 5/8" SBH. Accuracy was great and recoil was surprisingly manageable.

[jhrosier]

Would AA9 or WC820 be a good choice (not position sensitive ) for cast boolits in rifle cartridges such as 308 or 3006?

Jack

[Maven]

Jack, I use WC 820 (AA #9 burning rate) in everything from the .243Win. to the .45-70 and in the .357- and .44mags. as well...with CB's of course. For the .30-06, 7.5 x 55 Swiss, 7.62. 54R, 7.63 x 55 Arg. Mau., and 8 x 57 Mau., and CB's between 175gr. and 200gr., I use 18.5gr. as a starting load and don't exceed 21.5gr. ever. There's no reason the 18.5gr. load won't work in your .308Win. I'm sorry I can't provide velocity and SD readings, but for some reason I've never bothered to chrono. my WC 820 rifle loads. (I'm guessing that vel. is close to 100fps per grain though.) Accuracy has been excellent in all rifles.

[beagle]

It's not the best powder for that purpose but I have shot it in the 30/06 with cast and loads of it in the .30/30 for plinking loads.

In reality, you can use almost any powder in those two. It's just a matter of how much is useful and safe./beagle


Would AA9 or WC820 be a good choice (not position sensitive ) for cast boolits in rifle cartridges such as 308 or 3006?

Jack

[August]

I use it in the .357 sig and it is absolutely perfect in that round. Perfect loading density and single digit shot-to-shot variation. I haven't loaded a factory level charge in .44 magnum for over forty years, so I don't know how well it works there from personal experience.

[mike in co]

i started with aa9, as i'm kinda an aa fan. they claim it was designed for 44 mag. it has shot well in both 7 1/2 in srh and a marlin 44 mag carbine.
excellent with casts from 245 thru 300 gr.
i do use wc820 with some loads....my 820 is 2 gr slower than my aa9. this allows me to keep load density high.

mike in co

[Lloyd Smale]

it and 820 (same thing) have become my favorite mag handgun powders. I used to buy it because it was cheaper but had such good luck with it that id buy it even if it cost more the powders like 110

[GL49]

I use AA#9 in my 44 and 357 magnums for full power loads, never had any issues or complaints. In my Ruger SRH 44mag, AA#9 and 300gr bullets loaded almost to the max are "the" load it likes. Both my Smiths and my SBH 44's have no problem with #9, though every one likes a different load. I started using AA because it was cheaper and it metered so well through my Dillon 550, now 32acp through 44 magnum, AA powders are all I use. For fun loads, try a 200 gr bullet and AA#5 with a midscale 44spl load. You can shoot coffee cans full and smile all the time. I will be comparing H110, 296 and #9 in a 454 casull with 300 gr bullets in the next few weeks to see which of them will give me the best top end load.

[badgeredd]

AA9 in 44 Mag, count me as a happy camper! I've gotten away from H110 in several cartridges because I like the consistency I/ve gotten with AA9. AA powders have impressed me if they are used in the proper application. Reminds me, gotta get some more soon in a couple and need to get a new to me powder too.

Edd

[jack19512]

I will be comparing H110, 296 and #9 in a 454 casull with 300 gr bullets in the next few weeks to see which of them will give me the best top end load.








Since my Ruger SRH 454 Casull is my favorite handgun I look forward to your report. :smile:

[454PB]

Use caution, AAC#9, and WC820 need the same high load density as H-110/WW296.

I've had squibs and stuck boolits using both #9 and WC820.

[mike in co]

Use caution, AAC#9, and WC820 need the same high load density as H-110/WW296.

I've had squibs and stuck boolits using both #9 and WC820.



i have not had this problem, and i do not shoot hi powdered loads. aa does not caution in thier manuals, unlike some other powder makers.

and aa9 and wc820 ARE NOT THE SAME. SOME SAY YOUR MILAGE MAY VARY, in my case your wc820 will vary from lot to lot.

mike in co

[sundog]

AA9/H108/WC820 can be used in very light loadings in single shot. Lot to lot variation is noted. All three are very close.

[insanelupus]

I haven't found it anywhere, maybe others know. Does Accurate Arms recommend a magnum primer with AA#9 like Hodgdon does with H-110? I'll be using it in cold temps (10 below 0) to hot (95+). Thanks.

[felix]

Make two different loads, with demarcation at 40 degrees. ... felix

[MT Gianni]

I haven't found it anywhere, maybe others know. Does Accurate Arms recommend a magnum primer with AA#9 like Hodgdon does with H-110? I'll be using it in cold temps (10 below 0) to hot (95+). Thanks.

I have used standard primers in our Montana temperatures with good success. You need pressure with a heavy bullet or a heavy crimp or you will get unburned powder. I noticed it in the 44 special and now it gets a heavy crimp and pressure. The specials get another powder.

[mike in co]

I haven't found it anywhere, maybe others know. Does Accurate Arms recommend a magnum primer with AA#9 like Hodgdon does with H-110? I'll be using it in cold temps (10 below 0) to hot (95+). Thanks.


no...just large pistol.

i did use mag in carbine...the longer enclosed chamber shot better.

and i really wish people would quit saying aa9 and wc820 are the same....YOUR LOT MAY be the same, but MY LOTS are significantly diff than MY lots of aa9.

mike in co

[Lloyd Smale]

ive ran into it several times with 820 and aa9. It will happen mostly with lighter loads and standard primres. It downloads a tad better then 110/296 but still isnt a great powder for doing this. If you insist on downloading it make sure you use a good mag primer like a cci350 to light it off and dont get to carried away with donw loading. If you use a chronograph its easy to keep track off just watch your readings and when you get to the point where your spreads are running more then 50 fps stop. i use the same procedure for downloading 110. Also keep in mind that if you work up your loads in warm weather that the problem will be more prevelent when it gets cold. I once loaded up a pile of 44 mags in the summer with wc820 and was out to the buddys shooting a buffalo with a differnt gun and after we were done we started doing some long range plinking. I took out my most trusted 44 mag and it did pathetic. I couldnt figure out why until i realized that some of the rounds sounded different going off. We broke out a chrongraph and had variations of up to 250 fps with a load that in the summer had about 25fps varation. Granted it was cold that day the temp was close to zero but it shows you you have to be intellegent when downloading this stuff.
Use caution, AAC#9, and WC820 need the same high load density as H-110/WW296.

I've had squibs and stuck boolits using both #9 and WC820.

[454PB]

Well Lloyd, you and some other members here were in on my adventures with WC820 and light boolits in my .454 RSRH. The primer went off and pushed the boolit exactly halfway through the 7 1/2" barrel. When I drove the slug out, the powder was a compressed slug behind it.

I realize that WC820 and AAC#9 are not the same powder, but my lot of WC820 chronographs within 50 fps of my lot of AAC#9. Also, I've had consistant hangfires using AAC#9 with light boolits (250 gr.) in several of my .454's.

I burned up a whole 8 pounder of WC820 with NO problems before this misadventure.

I'm trying to save someone else from the same problems. Had I not checked the barrel as a newbie may not do, I could have had a real mess on my hands.

[softpoint]

I like AA9. It doesn't seem to produce quite as high velocity in some cartridges as 296-H110, but it's advantages are that it is a little more friendly with reduced loads, More powder measures will handle it without leaking or galling . It is suitable in more cartridges than 296-110. The .357 Sig, 10mm, and several others seem to be able to use this powder well. Very little to not like about AA9:mrgreen:

[cbrick]

I would download any ball powder cautiously be it #9 in straight wall brass or 748 in a bottle neck case. Aside from hang fires with H-110/296 both accuracy and velocity extreme spreads will be better with ball powders when not reduced by much. I’ve done a lot of testing in the 357 with #9, H-110 & H108 and they all did well with upper end loads with top velocity going to H-110, then #9, then H108. Tweaking loads a bit and long range revolver accuracy was similar with all three.

I think you’ll be happy with #9; I’ve burned up a few 8 pounders of it with no complaints. From the rumor mill I have heard that some of AA’s powders have a higher flame temp and thus are harder on barrels. I have no idea if there is any truth to this though it’s possible with powders like 2520; I have and do use a lot of AA powders with no complaints.

Also from the rumor mill is that 296 is more temp sensitive in hot weather than #9 or H-110.

Rick

[LeadThrower]

I like aa9 in my 357 mag and so bought 16 lb of wc820 (see all cautions above about them being potentially similar, but DIFFERENT).

I have not had a squib in 357 using standard primers with aa9, but prefer magnum primers because I get more complete powder burn.

[Lloyd Smale]

the 454 would probably be more suseptable to it then most rounds due to those stupid small primer pocktets. Id definatley use small rifle mag primers when im trying to light off ball powders in the 454s. Im not a big fan of the 454 and the only one i have left is my FA. I probably have a lifetime supply of brass for it but if i ever find i need more or run accross some cheap im going to pick up some 460 brass and cut it down so i can use large primers in the 454. Personaly i think aa9 and wc820 are the same powders. Ive boughten and shot enough of both to come to that conclusion. It looks the same, weights out the same and give simualar velocitys. Theres lot to lot variations in both wc820 and aa9. AA powders for the most part are just repackaged surplus powders or powders they ordered formulated the same as the surplus they originally sold. They do not make powder.
Well Lloyd, you and some other members here were in on my adventures with WC820 and light boolits in my .454 RSRH. The primer went off and pushed the boolit exactly halfway through the 7 1/2" barrel. When I drove the slug out, the powder was a compressed slug behind it.

I realize that WC820 and AAC#9 are not the same powder, but my lot of WC820 chronographs within 50 fps of my lot of AAC#9. Also, I've had consistant hangfires using AAC#9 with light boolits (250 gr.) in several of my .454's.

I burned up a whole 8 pounder of WC820 with NO problems before this misadventure.

I'm trying to save someone else from the same problems. Had I not checked the barrel as a newbie may not do, I could have had a real mess on my hands.

[Thin Man]

Several years ago I bought an 8 pound jug of H108 which is a very close (or exact) variant of AA9. I found several interesting points about the H108: (1) maximum loads recommended by the vendor did not produce the case swelling and occasional sticky extraction in revolver chamberings I have found in some other powders at their higher end pressure uses (2) pronounced muzzle flash (3) higher than usual report (4) very fine groups. I have not bought or used any of the original AA9 and cannot comment on any comparison. My first loading experience with H108 was in 357 Magnum, worked up to the maximum recommended load. With that load, when I fired the first round my response was "Da**it, broke something!" Opened the cylinder, checked the firearm and fired brass, and all looked well. Fired the remaining 5 rounds and all ejected cleanly and smoothly. Final opinion was (and still is) this is good stuff! I am still using and enjoying that jug of H108, just wish the container (contents) weighed more than it does now.

[GLynn41]

I used several pounds of AA9 --good powder lower charge weight than h110/296-- for me it is much like the older 2400-- not a h110 clone-- never tried surplus- good accuracy --emailed AA to see if they recommended a mag primer- neutral answer at higher pressure it can go from fine to stuck very quick - also what I can hunt with in November to Jan here would be too hot in spring and summer// all mine was used in .41s and some .41 wildcats-my.2

[leftiye]

I could be wrong (?), but AA#9 seems to do well in some low pressure scenarios. I have a 300 grain load (.454) that I got somewhere that they gave 19000 psi. pressure data for. It could be that a heavy bullet (or boolit) is the key to keeping pressures up so that burning is proper. I also use it in another low pressure load in my .327 mag K frame with small pistol (std) primers with no problem. 120 grain boolits there (which is quite heavy for that caliber).

[GLynn41]

in my .41's -- a 305 gr LWNGC boolit was too heavy --it peaked long before say H110--now that is not bad -- for me it does well with the 170-255 -- I have some 265 and 285 and 350 but have not tried them and AA#9 -- but I am sure it is too fast for that app

[sd5782]

I don't see it listed in the other replies, but I enjoy the firing characteristics of AA9 much more than H110. I have a 44SRH 7 1/2" and a 5" GP100. It seems to me to give a nice solid "Thump" with a lot less muzzle flash and "boom" than H110. I go for 90% loads and will only buy AA9 for this power level. I know that feel is subjective, but I also don't notice a big fireball when shooting. Much less drama, but still good power.

[Shiloh]

Loaded some M-1 Carbine 110 gr. ball with it a while back. No complaints.

Shiloh