Accurate Arms #5 or #7

Rex

Active Member
I've always liked 6-6.5 grains Unique with my cast bullets in my .357 Mag for a general purpose load. However Unique is always the first powder to disappear and Universal isn't far behind. I usually see Accurate #5 on the shelf, not in large quantities but at least a little. Does anyone else use the Accurate powders for their mid-range cast bullet load?
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I've never used it in 357 but Accurate Powders has some loads listed for both #5 & #7. 158 XTP 8.6 gr #5 starting load and 158 JHP #7 9.5 gr starting load. Both starting loads in the 1100 fps range. Lyman #49 lists only #7 loads, 10.8 gr starting for 150-155 gr cast bullets 900-1100 fps range.
 
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JonB

Halcyon member
AA#5 is a very dense powder, I used it in 40S&W with heavy swaged bullets (193gr), since case capacity was limited.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I purchased a pound of #7 during the last "panic". I have yet to use any of it. I couldn't find WW231/HP38, Bullseye, Unique, Universal. I would have preferred #5 as a more all around general purpose powder for my handguns, but bought what was available. As it turned out, I didn't need to and never ran out of my existing stocks.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
10 years ago I would have said yes.
I'm not such a fan of it anymore and I know a few others have sort of lost their taste for it too.
it has changed just enough.

number-5 likes to be run close to or at it's top end, it just shoots better groups up there.
you have other options, green-dot, international clays, American select, and a few others are just a tick faster than unique is but are kind of overlooked powders for at least the first stages of empty shelves.
BE-86 is another one too look at [hs-6/power pistol fit in here too] it sort of flip flops between unique and Herco and would be a great choice for medium 357 or closer to full power 40 short loads.
 

Rex

Active Member
Thanks guys, Fiver I did find a handfull of hs-6 in the shed a left over from shotshell reloading. Even found a few SPM primers. If this wind ever goes down I'll try some different loads.
 

DHD

Active Member
Try that HS6 with the SPM primers and I bet you'll find an accurate load. FWIW, its probably my #2 powder used and it doesn't give up anything in accuracy. Some try to use it as a light load powder and that is where it does not shine. Many threads have been written about how dirty it is, and trying to load it too light is why.
 

Hawk

North Central Texas
I did get this from the Western Powders rep.

"These are our pistol powders that have a flash suppressant added.
Accurate#5, #7, #11FS, TCM and Ramshot Silhouette."

I don't know if this influences your decision or not, but it's good to know.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I've used a lot of AA #7 in 9mm & 357 SIG, and have always been happy with it. I originally chose it for the velocities, and for the flash suppression feature. Accuracy has been quite good for me, but I haven't tried it in any of the straight wall handgun cartridges yet.
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
I purchase AA #7 by the 8 pound jug. Use it mainly for 9 mm. I find it works best for upper end loadings. My notes say that with certain cast bullets, don't go over 7.5 grains. It doesn't compress........I crimp separately and some loads will increase in OAL while waiting to be crimped. I get quite a bit of un-burnt powder in the action of my CZ Scorpion carbine, with the current jug. Like Fiver said, it's changed since I last bought my first 8 pounder. Tried it with heavy for caliber bullets (180 grain), in my 357 Rossi, carbine. Accuracy wasn't as good as 2400 or H-110.

Recently, bought a pound of AA #2, to try. Better for lower velocities loadings, in 9 mm. IMO.

Haven't tried AA#5...............but I do like Accurate powders.

I find that just about any powder will work in pistols. The true test is when you load it for accuracy in a carbine/rifle, chambered in the same caliber. Separates the pepper from the fly $hit.

IMO, can't go wrong with Bullesye, in 9 mm. Pistol or carbine. Also use BE for 38 Spl, 44 Spl and light to moderate loads in my LCR 357 Magnum.