Bullseye Load with AA#5

[Slamfire]

Yesterday at the range a shooter was using a 200 LSWC 5.1 grains AA#5, in his 45 ACP, but he had not chronographed the load, nor was he shooting past 15 yards. I have a keg of AA#5 and would like a load at 740-750 fps, with the same bullet, because that is my current 50 yard load. I have found anything slower does not produce good 50 yard accuracy.

Anyone have a suggestion?

 

[entropy]

I loaded some 200 gr. LRN with 8.4 gr. AA#5; I don't have a chronograph either, but in my notes I have "good target load" I'd imagine this is closer to the 850 of ball ammo, or even a bit faster, as I have 8.0 gr. AA#5 for a 230 gr. LRN as approximating GI velocities.

 

[Slamfire]

I loaded some 200 gr. LRN with 8.4 gr. AA#5; I don't have a chronograph either, but in my notes I have "good target load" I'd imagine this is closer to the 850 of ball ammo, or even a bit faster, as I have 8.0 gr. AA#5 for a 230 gr. LRN as approximating GI velocities.

I have been running 7.25 grains with a 230 lead, that gives just at 800 fps. I did test 8.0 grains with a 230, and it is more than I want.

Rock Island Arsenal GI M1911 5" barrel

230 gr LRN 8.0 grsAA#5 lot 12599 WLP OAL 1.250" taper crimp 0.469"

18-Dec-17 T = 60 °F

Ave Vel =872.6
Std Dev =16.79
ES =70.3
High = = 916.2
Low =845.9
N =24

Your 200 grain load would have too much recoil for Bullseye shooting.

 

[entropy]

Thanks for the data on the 230 gr. load! Yeah, I agree, the 200 gr. load would be too hot for Bullseye shooting.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just a note, I read AA#5 was developed around the 45 CAL so you should be able to find a good and accurate load. I have used it some and have a load I like.

I don't know where you got that load? Your 5.1gr load is very light, I'm surprised if cycled the slide. Lyman #50 lists a starting charge of AA#5 at 7.0gr with a 200gr cast bullet with a tested velocity of 697 fps and an OAL of 1.235" . The max charge is 8.5gr with a tested velocity of 927 fps from a 5" universal receiver.

I'm shooting a 230gr LRN cast bullet over 8.3gr AA#5 using a WLP primer with an OAL of 1.265" . Sorry I did not send any over the chrono so I have no velocity numbers. I'm not sure this load is light enough for Bullseye shooting but it's accurate in my 1911.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I used 7.6gr iirc, under a 200gr cswc. It was uncanny accurate from both a XD, and a Springfield M1911. Velocity was just a tad over 800fps.

Possibly a tad more punch than needed for Bullseye. But might be just the ticket on a windy day.

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks for all the inputs.

Since the original post I went to the range, shot my Les Baer Wadcutter at 25 yards, and chronographed some AA#5 loads. I am glad I did as my standard load of 4.0 grs Bullseye with a 200 LSWC is verifiably running a bit slow with a four pound keg of 2005 powder. So, I need to bump up the load so velocities will be 740 fps instead of 715 fps. I think I will try 4.2 grs with this lot of powder.

While AA#5 grouped well, and I was able to find a load that averaged 735 fps, I don't like the wider extreme spreads and standard deviations. Bullseye powder still provides tighter extreme spreads and standard deviations and I believe that is better for function reliability and probably accuracy, though, the latter is not going to be proven by me, offhand.

It has potential at higher velocities, but that is not the direction I want to go. My lot of AA#5 is from the mid 1990's, the lot sticker fell off so I don't have a lot number, just using a memory mnemonic I wrote on the bottle.


M1911 Les Baer Wadcutter







200 LSWC (H&G 68 type) 4.0 grs Bullseye Lot 907 6/20/05 WLP, mixed cases

13-Sep-18 T = 75 °F OAL 1.250" Taper Crimp 0.469"

Ave Vel =715.6
Std Dev =10.86
ES =37.6
High = 735.4
Low =697.8
Number rounds =15

200 LSWC (H&G 68 type) 6.5 grs AA#5 Lot DM WLP, mixed cases

13-Sep-18 T = 75 °F OAL 1.250" Taper Crimp 0.469"

Ave Vel =735.2
Std Dev =16.37
ES =60.17
High = 770.1
Low =710
N =21

accurate at 25 yards.

200 LSWC 7.0 grs AA#5 lot DM WLP brass mixed cases

23-Mar-16T = 72 °F OAL 1.250"Taper Crimp 0.469"

Ave Vel =815.5
Std Dev =17.14
ES =68
High = 847.5
Low =779.5
N =21
accurate, functioned and slide locked back

200 LSWC Xtreme Plated SWC 6.5 grs AA#5 Lot DM WLP, mixed cases

13-Sep-18 T = 75 °F OAL 1.250" Taper Crimp 0.469"

Ave Vel = 695.7
Std Dev =23.15
ES =95.4
High = 733.4
Low =638
N =20

accurate at 25 yards.


200 Xtreme plated SWC 7.0 grs AA#5 lot DM WLP brass mixed cases

23-Mar-16 T = 72 °F OAL 1.250" Taper Crimp 0.469"

Ave Vel =784.2
Std Dev =27.23
ES =110
High = 840.8
Low =730.8
N =16

accurate, strong ejection.