AA No. 5 in .38 Special?

[ChuckS1]

Anybody have any of the older Accurate Arms powder data for the .38 Special? All I can find on the AA website is the newer PDF with a whole lot less loads than used to be there. Would sure appreciate it if somebody would share the old data if you have it. Specifically, I'm looking for data using AA No. 5. Thanks.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Hello ChuckS1. If you could be a little more specific on what weight of bullet you want data on maybe I can help you.Robert

[JW6108]

From the 1994 Edition:

Gun: S&W Model 14, 8 3/8" barrel
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Hornady

MAXIMUM LOADS


148 DEWC AA#5 5.0 grains 912 fps

148 HBWC AA#5 4.0 grains 807 fps

158 (L) AA#5 5.9 grains 940 fps

This is all the data they show for lead bullets; it looks like the load for the DEWC is the only thing they don't show on the website.

I used a good bit of #5 for several years, 4.0 grains for DE wadcutters, 5.0 grains for 158 SWC. I also used it in .40, where it burned cleaner than it did in .38 Special. Between being dirty and hard to find, I finally gave up on it. Good luck.jw

[RayinNH]

There's quite a few in the Accurate #2 Manual. I have information from 1994, 1997, 2003 and the #2. The earlier info was more vague. Only max loads were given and the info for bullets didn't list a brand name. So if you be more specific, you can save this two fingered typer a lot of time. Do you need for boolits or bullets, and do you need +P...Ray

[Throwback]

Careful! (Though you probably have some margin for error with it the Special) One of the early accurate manuals substituted .44 Magnum Loads for the .41 Magnum Data. Results were interesting though thankfully not catastrophic! The current manual lists some eye popping velocity with the Sierra .41 170 grain bullet albeit in a 10"bbl - I can only wonder what the few loads I shot at 2 grains over max were delivering! Split/stuck cases alerted me to the problem.

My point is that often manuals change for a reason. The reformulation of Blue Dot is one recent example.

[ChuckS1]

I was looking for 158 grain LSWC and 358429 data. thanks.

[RayinNH]

Chuck, data from #2 Manual for AA #5 powder.

158 lead SWC Bull-X boolit
start 5.3 grs. 827 fps. max. 5.9 grs. 940 fps. 16,100 PSI 1.481 OAL

LY#358429(173 gr.)
start 4.9 grs. 766 fps. max. 5.4 grs. 870 fps. 16,500 PSI 1.515 OAL

[Hardcast416taylor]

Dang! Everybody helped you before I could...Robert

[ChuckS1]

Thanks. I just found a Lyman 358439HP mold and want to try it out this weekend. Casts at just under 155 grains with my WW alloy. Now I got to decide whether to shoot the pre-14 or the 38/44 (or maybe both...).

[Char-Gar]

I have shot quite a bit of AA5 in the 38 Special with 150-160 grain cast bullets (SWC and RN). I have used charge weights of 5 to 6 grains. I had good accuracy with all, and no pressure issues of any kind. I have settled on 5.5/AA5 as a standard load with that that range of cast bullets. Accuracy is outstanding in all of my sixguns.

[rugerman1]

http://www.accuratepowder.com/loadda...er_handgun.htm

[ChuckS1]

Thanks. Just what I was looking for.

[new cal shooter]

I have been looking for this link for weeks! they removed it from the web site, THANKS!!!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have been looking for this link for weeks! they removed it from the web site, THANKS!!!

I was just asked this question (AA No. 5 in .38 Special?) by a friend, I will forward the info.