ScratchnDent
Member
Some time back, I purchased an older 1 lb bottle of AA #7. It was obviously not the latest batch, as it has an older label on it than current lots, but I didn't worry about it because I was purchasing it at my local gun shop and it was still factory sealed.
Upon getting it home, I noticed that there is no lot number stamped on it, but there is a sticker on the bottom of the bottle that says 09/1993.
I finally used up the last of the current bottle I had and opened this one. The first thing I notice is that the powder is not the same color as newer AA #7, it is a lighter shade of grey.
I decide to load up 5 rounds of a mild charge which duplicates in every other way a load that I had tested with the newer lot. Same cases, primers, bullets, and seating depth. I used the same gun and even waited for a day with similar temperature to do my testing.
Well, the powder seems okay, there was nothing strange like hangfires or extreme velocity spread in any of the rounds fired, but they averaged nearly 100 fps slower than my notes indicated from the earlier testing with the other lot.
Should I be concerned, or just chalk it up to normal variance from a different lot of powder?
ETA: Here are the load specifics:
.45 acp
12.2 gr AA #7
185 gr, Remington Golden Saber JHP
CCI 300 primer
R-P nickel plated brass
1.218" OAL
Upon getting it home, I noticed that there is no lot number stamped on it, but there is a sticker on the bottom of the bottle that says 09/1993.
I finally used up the last of the current bottle I had and opened this one. The first thing I notice is that the powder is not the same color as newer AA #7, it is a lighter shade of grey.
I decide to load up 5 rounds of a mild charge which duplicates in every other way a load that I had tested with the newer lot. Same cases, primers, bullets, and seating depth. I used the same gun and even waited for a day with similar temperature to do my testing.
Well, the powder seems okay, there was nothing strange like hangfires or extreme velocity spread in any of the rounds fired, but they averaged nearly 100 fps slower than my notes indicated from the earlier testing with the other lot.
Should I be concerned, or just chalk it up to normal variance from a different lot of powder?
ETA: Here are the load specifics:
.45 acp
12.2 gr AA #7
185 gr, Remington Golden Saber JHP
CCI 300 primer
R-P nickel plated brass
1.218" OAL
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