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Thread: No. 5 anyone?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    No. 5 anyone?

    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.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    metricmonkeywrench's Avatar
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    #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.

  3. #3
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    I use AA5 in 45ACP and 45 Auto Rim. It meters well, and gives good accuracy.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    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.
    "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
    ~Thorin Oakenshield

  5. #5
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    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    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
    Last edited by Kraschenbirn; 09-06-2021 at 10:40 AM.
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  6. #6
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
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    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.
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  7. #7
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    It’s Western Powders; Unique

  8. #8
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    I've used Accurate No. 5 with great success in .38 Spec., 9mm Luger, and .45 Auto. Buy all you can get!

    DG

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for the comments. Figured for the price, couldn't go wrong.
    Have been going back rereading past threads, wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    It is a good powder but don't leave it in your plastic powder hopper like you could with your 231.

  11. #11
    Boolit Man dla's Avatar
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    Great powder if you want to take you 45acp into +p territory and beyond.
    I burned a lot of before I discovered Ramshot Silhouette.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master Stopsign32v's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old Caster View Post
    It is a good powder but don't leave it in your plastic powder hopper like you could with your 231.
    What?

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Used to be my go to powder for 45acp. Then I got cheap with Promo.

  14. #14
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    dondiego's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stopsign32v View Post
    What?
    It has a solvent that will score the plastic.

  15. #15
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    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
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    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.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    like dannyd said- it will cover what unique does but measures much better!
    Loren

  17. #17
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    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
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    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.

  19. #19
    Boolit Mold
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    No. 5 anyone?

    #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…


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by Bullthrower; 09-08-2021 at 07:05 AM.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master armoredman's Avatar
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    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.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check