AA#2 with 200 lead SWC

[El Greco]

Gentlemen,
I'm new to this forum but not new to the 1911. I've been casting and reloading for the past 35 years. I've been using Bulseye, Unique and 231 all along but never AA#2 due to good results with the powders I've mentioned. Lately I acquired the #2 powder because beggars cannot be choosers. To make a long story short, I reloaded some .45 ACP rounds with 200 SWC Lyman bullets and 5.5 rains of #2. AA powders suggest starting at 5.2 to 5.8 max. After the first shot my gun jammed and cleaned the chamber. Started again with a fresh magazine and the same problem occurred. Basically the slide would not close all the way. The COL was identical to the Bullseye at 1.185. Cleaned the gun, same problem after two rounds. I went home cleaned the gun and the next day I went back to the range. This time I also brought ammunition loaded with Bulseye. I warmed up the gun with rounds loaded with Bulseye. It performed flawlessly. I inserted a magazine with ammo loaded with #2 and it jammed after the second round. I went back to ammo with Bulseye and it performed flawlessly. Has any of you had a similar problem? My little garbage disposal (Ruger New Blackhawk in .45 Colt and .45 ACP) digested the ammo with #2 just fine.
After 35 in reloading this the first for me.

[loaded303]

I've loaded a few calibers in AA 2. 38, and 9. They both shoot fine but the 9 needed a hotter load to cycle especially in the glock. For what it's worth I load it on the hot side rather than starting load. Jmo. .

[Bzcraig]

I use #2 in my 9's and 38's and have no issues. When I loaded using starting data everything functioned fine but it was closer to max loads that yielded best accuracy.

[bruce381]

""Basically the slide would not close all the way"'

How is this a powder problem? your sizing/crimping or lenght are at fault, AA#2 works fine and meters real well in all my loads.

[El Greco]

I have used #2 in the past for my .380, 38, 357, 9 mm and 45 ACP (.45 at 5.5 grains) with noproblem. I will reduce my charges to 4.8, 5.0 and 5.2 and try again with 3different 1911’s and see what happens. This is really a mystery for me. Itmakes no sense. I’ll keep you informed with results. No matter how old you are, how much experienceyou have, how many thousands of rounds you have reloaded you learn every day.This forum is the best forum ever. Everything I’ve learned I’ve put it topractice. Thank you

[Mr opinionated]

You have a sizing problem not a powder problem (you load is the same-thing i shoot but in a different gun) if the load is to light then you would have failure to eject and failure to feed (stove piping and such) your slide will not close all the way (tells me its has a complete feed) so i think your OAL is to long with the SWC did you do a drop in test to make sure of the fit? you've been loading a long time but you can over look things

IF all else fails read the bottom of this post.


MR O

[leadman]

I have been using it in my new 1911 with the Lee 200gr SWC and the RFN. I had to go up to 5.8grs to get it to function and shoot well. Only thing I can think of is the slide is not run back with as much force? Try more powder.

[williamwaco]

I bought a can of A. No2 for the same reason as you did. ( I couldn't find Bulls Eye )

In my .45 1911's two Kimbers and one Remington, I found that with with this load:

Primer CCI LP
Bullet 200 gr SWC Lee mold.
Lube LLA
OAL 1.26

5.2 grains would not cycle.
5.4 grains would not feed reliably.
5.7 grains works perfectly in all three guns.

I now consider No.2 a very good alternative to Bulls Eye

[sig2009]

4.7 gn WST is the only powder I use for 200 gn LSWC. Best accuracy I have found!

[El Greco]

This situation bothered me so much that I reloaded this morning 50 rounds each with AA #2 at 4.5, 4.8, 5.0 and I had about 75 round left loaded with 5.5. I'm very happy to tell you that all 3 1911's 2 Kimbers and a Colt Gold Cup performed flawlessly with all the different loads mentioned above and with loads with Bullseye and Unique. I even shot a gentleman's Ruger 1911 with the 5.5 load and it worked just fine. I do believe that when my gun was jamming, it was a hot day and the ammo was in the direct sun and it got very hot. I don't think there is another explanation. Today it was also a hot day but no direct sun on the ammo. I just love this forum. I have learned so much about casting and reloading. There so many good people who try to help others with problems. Thank you all.

[Bzcraig]

Really glad that all worked out, don't know why, but sometimes a different day is all it takes.

[edadmartin]

hello . Im a new reloader as well (2012) and I have found that with my SA loaded 1911 col needs to be anything over 1.225 with a 200gr lswc. I usually run 1.255 but dropped down thinking 1.225 would work in both my Glock 30 and the 1911. didnt work, so I run a longer col for the 1911, and 1.225 in the glock, but still use 4.8gr of AA#2. I slightly factory crimp too, and my diameter is mostly .469
If you just hate AA#2 contact me and Ill buy for supply as I had waited over 6 months from lomahan arms last year