Accurate Arms powders, good bad or ugly?

Hi everyone:

What is the consensus on Accurate Arms powders? In particular their pistol powders. Consistency? Usefullness?

Thanks in advance:

# Hi everyone: # # What is the consensus on Accurate Arms powders? In particular their pistol # powders. Consistency? Usefullness?

I love their Solo pistol powders (Solo 1000 in particular), powders they acquired from Scot and are now rather difficult to find.

The Solo powders have high bulk-density (a double charge generally will generally overflow the case) and are exceptionally clean burning. Even Accurate themselves seem to be ignoring these powders, though, as the current loading data cover far fewer calibers than when Scot distributed them.

#What is the consensus on Accurate Arms # powders? In particular their pistol powders. # Consistency? Usefullness?

I tried AA#5 for .45acp Colt M1911 and 9mm Beretta 92FS. The .45 was loaded in 230 grain FMJ and 230 grain LRN. 9mm in 115 and 124 FMJ and 122 LFP. Various charges where tried in each. Results were very disappointing. Being fair to Accurate Arms, I must say that while my results were disappointing, someone else's may be great. Different powders act differently in every firearm. All you can do is give it a try.

Mike Corey NRA ~ USA Shooting Appointed Pistol Coach

Dear John: They may be good or bad, others can comment. I do know they buy all their product from a variety of foreign sources and repackage into cannisters. They have a rep of inconsistency from lot to lot for that very reason. Personally, I use Winchester, Alliant, IMR and Hodgdon powders exclusively. The first three make most or all of their powders in their own mills. They put a lot of emphasis into cannister powders with the need for consistency from lot to lot. All powders change over time, but these are more predictable. In summary, why mess with Accurate powders when we have so many fine domestic brands (admittedly some Hodgdon powders are imported). Just my opinion, of course. - CW

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In the last 10 years I have used mostly AA powders as they are $3-$6 dollars a pound cheaper than other brands. They are ball type powders which run through my several different brands of powder measures giving .1 grain variances from charge to charge. I have used numbers 2,5,7, and 9 loading 14 different handgun cartridges with very good results. AA-1680 rifle powder is the best in 50AE reloads.

# What is the consensus on Accurate Arms powders? In particular their pistol # powders. Consistency? Usefullness?

I have always liked them because they were less expensive, but more importantly, were ball-type powders and thuslymetered well in my progresive reloader's powder measure. There are several flake-types which I prefer, but they jam up the metering bar over time and are a pain in the ass in my Dillon machine. So except for special small lots I do on my single stage press, ball-type powders are all I use, and of these I prefer this line to Winchester or anyone else.

AA #5 is my favorite so far for 230gr FMJ 45s. It's just sometimes hard to find for me,

Good luck!

~j

# # Hi everyone: # # # # What is the consensus on Accurate Arms powders? In particular their pistol # # powders. Consistency? Usefullness?

I have been using AA powders since the mid/late 80's. I originally liked their lower prices, but they perform as good as any other powder. Now that their prices are the same as and sometimes higher than others, I will try something else.

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#5 is all I use for .38 Special, #9 is the best ever for full house loads in the .44 Magnum, also fine for .357 Magnum.