I have never used it but a local place has a lot of it.
I am looking for opinions and experiences in lead loads for 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, and 45acp.
I am looking for opinions and experiences in lead loads for 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, and 45acp.
AA#2 is one of the faster pistol powders, I have burned lots of it, WW-231, and Bullseye. They are very similar in load density. I prefer to use it in small capacity cases like 25acp, 32acp and 380. It works well in all up to 45acp but the load density is such that you can't necessarily see if you have a double charge with the larger cases. It is a good powder if used with the proper attention when loading.
With the prices of reloading components I'd say fast burning powders are good. All I have is slow burning stuff.
It's a LOT like Win 231. If you like 231, it will work just fine.
My reason for using slower powders
Thanks for all the input.
I'm a single stage weigh every charge reloader, but I do appreciate the concern.
I'm a single stage weigh every charge reloader, but I do appreciate the concern.
I used to use AA #2 in the early to mid 1990's for loading 115 & 124 grain FMJ in 9mm. Looking back at my old (1991) Hornady reloading book it was a little bit hotter and faster burning that Winchester 231 at the time. However years later, I think around 1998, I was told the AA factory that made #2 had a fire and after that they had changed the chemical make up of several of their powders, including AA #2. So if / when I break out my single stage Lee loader, I will have to get a new guide if I were to try AA # 2 with 9 mm FMJ's. I never used non FMJ or plated projo's. But I was running my rounds both 115 & 124 about 1175 - 1225 FPS NATO style (Shooting Chrony verified) through a Gen two Glock 19 and Sig 228.
Sorry so long winded...
I recomend that you use a new guide for any loading with AA #2 to keep from having any problems. I was told by an experienced loader back in the late 90"s that if I had continued to use the old Hornady info on the new AA powder I could have over charged my loads. I think I was running 4.0 - 4.5 - 5.0 grains of powder. Cycled good, hit hard.
centraloklahoma
Sorry so long winded...
I recomend that you use a new guide for any loading with AA #2 to keep from having any problems. I was told by an experienced loader back in the late 90"s that if I had continued to use the old Hornady info on the new AA powder I could have over charged my loads. I think I was running 4.0 - 4.5 - 5.0 grains of powder. Cycled good, hit hard.
centraloklahoma
You won't get anywhere near the velocity attainable with .357 mag with that powder, so I'd just forgo the .357s and shoot .38s with AA#2. It should be fine for target loads in everything else you mention.
