Accurate Arms #2 -- let's talk . . .

Thirties · November 17, 2009, 08:33 AM

I mostly load .45auto & .38spl.

I picked up some cans of AA#2 and have not had any problems with it.

Although I've been reloading ammo for over 5 yrs, I admit I'm not more than a hobby loader, and not a particularly scientific one at that (scientific analysis methods). I am careful and precise (used to be a printer), and have never had an accident.

I load for plinking (personal enjoyment), so it may not matter a great deal which of the appropriate powders I use.

But I am curious what others think of this powder, especially in .45acp (1911A1) and .38spl (d/a revolvers). It seems to me to be less discussed than others such at Titegroup, W321, Bulleye.

So post your thoughts here.

Thanks . . .

Sam06 · November 17, 2009, 08:56 AM

AA makes a good powder. I use AA#5 in 45 acp and AA#9 in 41 and 44 Mag. I have NOT used AA#2 yet and I very seldom reload 38 spl. I like the AA powders because they flow well in my 550, fill the case and are consistent.

Wleoff · November 17, 2009, 09:14 AM

AA#2 was what I first used in 45 Colt when I started shooting cowboy action, SASS, in the mid 90s. It's not position sensitive and a little goes a long way. Accurate, too. I now use Titegroup in 45 Colt. Don't remember why I changed. May have just been availability. Still use AA#2 in .38 Special and 9mm. Just be very careful with double charging.

Blue Grass · November 17, 2009, 09:26 AM

Accurate, clean, consistent, cheap, and meters well. What's not to like? AA is my favorite brand of pistol powder. They make a powder for all calibers and they're all good.

medalguy · November 17, 2009, 12:00 PM

I agree. I used AA #2 until very recently when I ran out of the stockpile I had which was considerable. Now I'm starting to use #5 and it works very well also in 9mm. Flows and measures very well and a little goes a long way. Good stuff #2!

Thirties · November 17, 2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks, folks. I'll be loading some .38spl with #2 this week.

Bluesfan · November 17, 2009, 09:45 PM

I have used several pounds of AA#2. Works great in 45acp,38spl. It will work in any cartridge that one would use bullseye. Seems to be cleaner burning and slightly more economical than bullseye.

**Shane Tuttle** · November 17, 2009, 09:51 PM

Be careful that you make sure of which #2 you have. There's #2, and there's #2 improved. IIRC, you don't want to mix these and I think there's different load charges for each in some cartridges.

It's a clean, efficient burning powder. The problem I've had with it is it crept past the seal on my old Lee powder measure. It was annoying. When I upgraded to the Hornady Lock 'N' Load AP, a fuller-volume case charge would spill out when cycling. And the LNL is one of the gentlest cycling systems out there.

I ended up switching to Hodgdon powders for the most part. If you're wanting to stick with AA#2, you won't be disappointed. It's a great powder.

RamSlammer · November 17, 2009, 09:57 PM

I like AA#2 and use it in .38, .45 ACP and even some reduced .357 loads. Very clean burning and, well, accurate. Have to remember not to put too much in the powder hopper as a little loads many rounds and its so fine grained as well. Meters like water in my Lee Pro Auto Disk.

alfack · November 17, 2009, 10:05 PM

I like it for .380, 9mm and .45.

About the original vs. "improved" issue. I recently went through this conundrum and found out that the charge weights are the same, between the two. The only thing that changed was the density of the powder. I.e., the same weight of "improved" would fill the case more than the original.

I have to admit it's my favorite all around pistol powder.

Walkalong · November 18, 2009, 01:52 PM

AA # 2 is excellent in .45 ACP, as are others like AA #5, N310, N320, Zip, Competition, just to name a couple.

AA #2 gives as good or better, usually much better, ES & SD numbers than any powder I have tried in .45, and that is quite a few.

Quote:

The only thing that changed was the density of the powder

Agreed.

When I used up all my "improved" AA #2 I bought a one lb can of the newer stuff. It passed all my tests so I bought a 4 pounder recently.

Thirties · November 19, 2009, 06:18 PM

AA#2 Improved 2.7 grain
.38spl Speer lead HBWC 148 grain
COL: 1.156"
primer: WSP
brass: new Starline
crimp: moderate roll crimp

Shot 30 rounds though my S&W 3" model 36 this morning.
Excellent accuracy and comfortable recoil. This is a keeper.

Thanks all . . .

November 17, 2009, 08:33 AM	#1
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	Accurate Arms #2 -- let's talk . . . I mostly load .45auto & .38spl. I picked up some cans of AA#2 and have not had any problems with it. Although I've been reloading ammo for over 5 yrs, I admit I'm not more than a hobby loader, and not a particularly scientific one at that (scientific analysis methods). I am careful and precise (used to be a printer), and have never had an accident. I load for plinking (personal enjoyment), so it may not matter a great deal which of the appropriate powders I use. But I am curious what others think of this powder, especially in .45acp (1911A1) and .38spl (d/a revolvers). It seems to me to be less discussed than others such at Titegroup, W321, Bulleye. So post your thoughts here. Thanks . . .

November 17, 2009, 09:51 PM	#8
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	Be careful that you make sure of which #2 you have. There's #2, and there's #2 improved. IIRC, you don't want to mix these and I think there's different load charges for each in some cartridges. It's a clean, efficient burning powder. The problem I've had with it is it crept past the seal on my old Lee powder measure. It was annoying. When I upgraded to the Hornady Lock 'N' Load AP, a fuller-volume case charge would spill out when cycling. And the LNL is one of the gentlest cycling systems out there. I ended up switching to Hodgdon powders for the most part. If you're wanting to stick with AA#2, you won't be disappointed. It's a great powder. __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

November 17, 2009, 08:56 AM	#2
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	AA makes a good powder. I use AA#5 in 45 acp and AA#9 in 41 and 44 Mag. I have NOT used AA#2 yet and I very seldom reload 38 spl. I like the AA powders because they flow well in my 550, fill the case and are consistent. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

November 17, 2009, 09:14 AM	#3
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	AA#2 was what I first used in 45 Colt when I started shooting cowboy action, SASS, in the mid 90s. It's not position sensitive and a little goes a long way. Accurate, too. I now use Titegroup in 45 Colt. Don't remember why I changed. May have just been availability. Still use AA#2 in .38 Special and 9mm. Just be very careful with double charging.

November 17, 2009, 09:26 AM	#4
Blue Grass Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Posts: 398	Accurate, clean, consistent, cheap, and meters well. What's not to like? AA is my favorite brand of pistol powder. They make a powder for all calibers and they're all good.

November 17, 2009, 12:00 PM	#5
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	I agree. I used AA #2 until very recently when I ran out of the stockpile I had which was considerable. Now I'm starting to use #5 and it works very well also in 9mm. Flows and measures very well and a little goes a long way. Good stuff #2!

November 17, 2009, 05:06 PM	#6
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	Thanks, folks. I'll be loading some .38spl with #2 this week.

November 17, 2009, 09:45 PM	#7
Bluesfan Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Posts: 102	I have used several pounds of AA#2. Works great in 45acp,38spl. It will work in any cartridge that one would use bullseye. Seems to be cleaner burning and slightly more economical than bullseye.

November 17, 2009, 09:57 PM	#9
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	I like AA#2 and use it in .38, .45 ACP and even some reduced .357 loads. Very clean burning and, well, accurate. Have to remember not to put too much in the powder hopper as a little loads many rounds and its so fine grained as well. Meters like water in my Lee Pro Auto Disk.

November 17, 2009, 10:05 PM	#10
alfack Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2009 Location: Marysville, Washington Posts: 195	I like it for .380, 9mm and .45. About the original vs. "improved" issue. I recently went through this conundrum and found out that the charge weights are the same, between the two. The only thing that changed was the density of the powder. I.e., the same weight of "improved" would fill the case more than the original. I have to admit it's my favorite all around pistol powder.

November 19, 2009, 06:18 PM	#12
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	AA#2 Improved 2.7 grain .38spl Speer lead HBWC 148 grain COL: 1.156" primer: WSP brass: new Starline crimp: moderate roll crimp Shot 30 rounds though my S&W 3" model 36 this morning. Excellent accuracy and comfortable recoil. This is a *keeper.* Thanks all . . .