AA#5, RMR 115gr FMJ RN, 9mm

[vaalpens]

Last week I picked up 1lb of AA#5, a powder I haven't used before.

Initially I did not know which cartridge to start with, but looking at the Western Powders reloading guide, made up my mind. Under 9mm they have the RMR 115gr FMJ bullet listed, which is what I have been loading lately. I will be loading and testing other cartridges also, but for now 9mm 115gr will be my starting combination.

I normally load/test 6 loads of 5, and then refine my load selection. The Western Powders reloading guide actually has standard 9mm and +P 9mm loads listed:

9mm 115 RMR FMJ 5.6gr 1,036 6.2gr 1,124 34,067 1.120
9mm +P 115 RMR FMJ 6.2gr 1,129 6.6gr 1,186 38,442 1.120

Normally I would just start at the lowest and increment my loads by .1gr until I reach the MAX. The results will then dictate if I want to go any lower or higher.

Does anybody have any experience with the powder/bullet combination, and did you find an accurate load or range of loads. I am not chasing any velocity, but is looking for some consistent accuracy.

 

[joneb]

Last week I picked up 1lb of AA#5, a powder I haven't used before.

I have used #5 for about 20 years, mostly for warm 38spl, 44spl and 45acp. about 5 years ago I got myself a pistol chambered in 9x19 luger and started to reload this cartridge. My preferred bullet weight for this cartridge in my gun is 124gr-135gr, and #5 is a favorite for both bullet weights. BE-86 and True blue along with WSF performed very well for me. I would guess HS-6 would be a excellent choice as well, sorry I haven't loaded these powders with 115gr bullets very much

 

[vaalpens]

I have used #5 for about 20 years, mostly for warm 38spl, 44spl and 45acp. about 5 years ago I got myself a pistol chambered in 9x19 luger and started to reload this cartridge. My preferred bullet weight for this cartridge in my gun is 124gr-135gr, and #5 is a favorite for both bullet weights. BE-86 and True blue along with WSF performed very well for me. I would guess HS-6 would be a excellent choice as well, sorry I haven't loaded these powders with 115gr bullets very much

Thanks for the comments. I have some 124gr RMR bullets also, which I mostly use for 357sig, but I will definitely work up some 124gr loads in 9mm. This is what is published in the WP reloading guide:

9mm 124 RMR JHP 5.5gr 989 6.1gr 1,076 34,039 1.120
9mm +P 124 RMR JHP 6.1gr 1,079 6.5gr 1,139 38,393 1.120

 

[joneb]

Thanks for the comments. I have some 124gr RMR bullets

I will dig up some of my data with the 124gr RMR match winner and #5 but it will likely be for a short barrel 9x19 3"and 3.37"

 

[vaalpens]

I will dig up some of my data with the 124gr RMR match winner and #5 but it will likely be for a short barrel 9x19 3"and 3.37"

Thanks! I have some RMR 124gr MW bullets and a P365 X with a 3.1" barrel. Maybe just the data I am looking for to help me target a range of loads.

 

[kcofohio]

I have had #5 around since I started reloading. But I can't recall using much in 9mm. Mostly in 45 Auto.
I'll look through my notes later.

 

[joneb]

I have some RMR 124gr MW bullets

I've loaded that bullet for my 938 with #5 at 1.08"-1.1" all functioned well.
This load did well, 5.9gr of #5 with FC brass CCI 500 primer COAL 1.095"
High= 971 fps, low= 947, average 961, sd= 8 from 6 rnds
6.2gr of #5 at 1.09" Blazer brass, CCI 500 gave,
High 1028, low 994, average of 1016 fps, SD= 13
My best results with the 124gr RMR MW have been with Be-86 at COAL 1.085", accuracy was better with around 30-40 fps gain in velocity.
When resizing brass of the same head stamp if some seem very easy to resized I keep those separate, this has reduced ES in velocity and improved accuracy for me.

 

[vaalpens]

I have had #5 around since I started reloading. But I can't recall using much in 9mm. Mostly in 45 Auto.
I'll look through my notes later.

Not a problem. I will appreciate it if you can share anything about 45acp. I will be loading/testing some 45acp loads in the future. The cartridges I'll be loading/testing will be 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w, 45acp and maybe 38spl/357mag.

 

[joneb]

if you can share anything about 45acp.

What bullets?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have used AA#5 for the .38 Special, 45 ACP, and even for the 45 Colt at one time. Never tried it in the 9mm because at the time I wasn't loading for the 9mm. I mostly use W231 or W244 for most handgun cartridges but I'm sure it will work well in the 9mm especially with a 124gr bullet.

 

[kcofohio]

Not a problem. I will appreciate it if you can share anything about 45acp. I will be loading/testing some 45acp loads in the future. The cartridges I'll be loading/testing will be 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w, 45acp and maybe 38spl/357mag.

From written notes;
45 Auto 185 SWC from MBC. Started at 8.4 gr., and settled on 8.7 gr. #5 OAL 1.230", it's an easy shooting load, fired out of a 4" barrel Kimber.
200 gr. SWC Berry's
8.6 gr. #5 OAL 1.200" is a good load.

These loads I got from Western Powder data.

I decided to try #5 in 357 SIG with Lee's cast bullet. 125 fn. coated with Hi-tek. Sized down to .356". I gave the case mouth a slight roll crimp at the crimp grove to prevent set back. Cycling dummy rounds showed the most they set back was .002". Western Powder shows a 124 gr. lead fp. They shot about 1-1 ¹/²" lower than 147 gr. But stayed within a 2" pattern. I stopped before the 8.8 gr., wanting to Chrony them.

I am missing some gun related stuff since our move a few years ago. I think part of that has more reloading assortment with it.

 

[vaalpens]

What bullets?

For now I only have 230gr FMJ bullets. My P220 is accurate with SWC bullets, but does not cycle then reliably. I'll probably try some FP 200gr Berry's bullets also, when I can find them again. It will be interesting to know if AA#5 does better with the lower weight bullets, or with the 230gr bullet.

 

[vaalpens]

I have used AA#5 for the .38 Special, 45 ACP, and even for the 45 Colt at one time. Never tried it in the 9mm because at the time I wasn't loading for the 9mm. I mostly use W231 or W244 for most handgun cartridges but I'm sure it will work well in the 9mm especially with a 124gr bullet.

Thanks for the comments. I will definitely try the 124gr bullet also.

 

[vaalpens]

From written notes;
45 Auto 185 SWC from MBC. Started at 8.4 gr., and settled on 8.7 gr. #5 OAL 1.230", it's an easy shooting load, fired out of a 4" barrel Kimber.
200 gr. SWC Berry's
8.6 gr. #5 OAL 1.200" is a good load.

These loads I got from Western Powder data.

I decided to try #5 in 357 SIG with Lee's cast bullet. 125 fn. coated with Hi-tek. Sized down to .356". I gave the case mouth a slight roll crimp at the crimp grove to prevent set back. Cycling dummy rounds showed the most they set back was .002". Western Powder shows a 124 gr. lead fp. They shot about 1-1 ¹/²" lower than 147 gr. But stayed within a 2" pattern. I stopped before the 8.8 gr., wanting to Chrony them.
View attachment 1029263
I am missing some gun related stuff since our move a few years ago. I think part of that has more reloading assortment with it.

Thanks for sharing your data.

357sig will probably be the next cartridge I'll try with AA#5. It should do well with a 147gr bullet, since it is close to CFE Pistol in burn rate. CFE Pistol does very well for me with 147gr bullets. I will probably be a bit careful with the Western Powders load data since it seems high when I compare it to my loads with CFE Pistol and Longshot. I will definitely start at the WP starting load.

 

[kcofohio]

Thanks for the comments. I will definitely try the 124gr bullet also.

I found this in my notes from 2015. 4" barrel

9mm Sierra JHP(Sportsmaster) 125 gr.
AA#5 @ 5.3 gr. 1.005 OAL.
F.C. case CCI 500 5-shot string
Hi 963 fps
Lo 942 fps
Average 951 fps
ES 21
SD 8

Sierra 125 gr. JHP (Sportsmaster)
AA#5 @ 5.7 gr. 1.005" OAL
F.C. case CCI 500 5 shot string
Hi 1083 fps
Lo 1043
Average 1054 fps
ES 40
SD 16

These bullets were seated deep because at the time, I had a barrel that short on the throat. But they were accurate.

 

[vaalpens]

I found this in my notes from 2015. 4" barrel

9mm Sierra JHP(Sportsmaster) 125 gr.
AA#5 @ 5.3 gr. 1.005 OAL.
F.C. case CCI 500 5-shot string
Hi 963 fps
Lo 942 fps
Average 951 fps
ES 21
SD 8

Sierra 125 gr. JHP (Sportsmaster)
AA#5 @ 5.7 gr. 1.005" OAL
F.C. case CCI 500 5 shot string
Hi 1083 fps
Lo 1043
Average 1054 fps
ES 40
SD 16

These bullets were seated deep because at the time, I had a barrel that short on the throat. But they were accurate.

Thanks for sharing your load data. I will definitely take you load data into consideration when I get to the 124gr bullets.

 

[vaalpens]

Since the Western Powders load data was very specific to the RMR 115gr FMJ bullets, which is what I am using. I decided to just follow their load data.

For now I have just dome the 9mm loads, but will follow it up with the +P loads at6 another time.

Loaded 6 loads of 5 each tonight from AA#5 5.6gr to 6.1gr. The only difference from the WP load data is that I went with a COL of 1.125" instead of 1.120".

Now I just need to find the time to go and test these loads. Also need to decide if I want to use my SP2022 or P365X to test the loads.

 

[nevadabob]

A#5 is a consistent component in my powder stable. Last week I went out and shot 6.1 grns topped off with Ranier 115 gr bullets with a COL of 1.135. Through my Springfield XD subcompact these measured out at fps levels in the high 900's.

 

[lordpaxman]

@vaalpens , I’d be interested in your range report. I love how AA 5 meters, but when I tried it in several calibers I ended up with grains of what looked like unburnt powder on the shooting table on my log book. It could have been a by-product of AA burning but the powder burns pretty clean just by itself. Other than that it performs well.

 

[vaalpens]

A#5 is a consistent component in my powder stable. Last week I went out and shot 6.1 grns topped off with Ranier 115 gr bullets with a COL of 1.135. Through my Springfield XD subcompact these measured out at fps levels in the high 900's.

Thanks for sharing your test data. I still need to decide between testing using a 3.9" or 3.1" barrel. Since I am also going to be testing the +P loads, it is probably better to test in my compact first, the refine some loads in the subcompact.

 

[vaalpens]

@vaalpens , I’d be interested in your range report. I love how AA 5 meters, but when I tried it in several calibers I ended up with grains of what looked like unburnt powder on the shooting table on my log book. It could have been a by-product of AA burning but the powder burns pretty clean just by itself. Other than that it performs well.

Thanks for the comments. I will try and remember to check for "unburnt" powder on the table when I do my testing.

 

[Dudedog]

Looking forward to your results.
I have been meaning to try AA#5 in 9mm as it is in the burn speed range I like for 9mm.
Once primer supply gets back to normal I can play around and test new stuff. For right now saving all my primers for match ammo...

 

[vaalpens]

Looking forward to your results.
I have been meaning to try AA#5 in 9mm as it is in the burn speed range I like for 9mm.
Once primer supply gets back to normal I can play around a test new stuff. Fo right now saving all my primers for match ammo...

Thanks foe the comments Dudedog.

My plan is to try AA#5 with the 147gr RMR bullets you sent me in 357sig. If it tests well, then maybe it is time to buy some 147gr bullets, dedicated to 357sig.

Regarding primers. I stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday and they told me they had primers in stock the previous day. It went quick. Primer availability might be picking up.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Here is a wtite up I did comparing AA#5 to Winchester Autocomp and Ramshot True Blue. AA#5 is one of my least favorite powders for 9/40. It's not a bad powder but there are better options out there.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/autocomp-vs-true-blue-vs-aa-5.891811/

To summarize my thoughts:

- It's less consistent velocity wise at lower charge weights than other powders.

- It delivers less velocity per grain than other powders.

- It works better when the OAL is kept right at recommended lengths. Loading long makes the powder measurably less consistent.

 

[Charlie98]

@vaalpens , I’d be interested in your range report. I love how AA 5 meters, but when I tried it in several calibers I ended up with grains of what looked like unburnt powder on the shooting table on my log book. It could have been a by-product of AA burning but the powder burns pretty clean just by itself. Other than that it performs well.

That was a problem I had with BE-86 in 9mm, albeit with shorter... 3.1" and 3.6"... barrels. In fact, I hit a velocity threshold with BE-86 where more powder did not translate to any additional velocity... so that might explain the crumbles. That's interesting you had that with AA#5. I have never used AA#5, but considered it when I was testing other powders.

- It's less consistent velocity wise at lower charge weights than other powders.

- It delivers less velocity per grain than other powders.

- It works better when the OAL is kept right at recommended lengths. Loading long makes the powder measurably less consistent.

That would be my summary of W244 for both 9mm and .45ACP, except maybe the velocity per grain part. Changes in OAL caused pretty significant changes in accuracy, consistency, and burn cleanliness. Sounds like I'll just pass on AA#5...