Accurate #2 for 45acp

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I went to the LGS yesterday and lo and behold they had some Accurate #2. I hadn't seen any of that anywhere in about a year and a half. Before the great powder shortage a couple of years ago I was using #2 for 9mm and liked it pretty well. I am mostly loading 45acp now, so I was wondering if anybody has used #2 for 45acp? I mostly use Bullseye for 45acp.

Any thoughts how #2 compares with Bullseye for 45acp?
 
Yeah I use 'em both quite a bit.

Bullseye and AA#2 are both fast powders . . . and that's where the similarities end.

Bullseye is fast for a fast powder. AA#2 is slow for a fast powder. Quite a bit slower. Both however, are great propellants for 45 ACP. There's lots of "crossover" where either powder will work for the application. But there are some things that one is better at than the other.

If you load real light or "pure target," Bullseye is the better choice. If you load with a little bit of punch - "range ammo," like Winchester White Box - you'll do a little better with AA#2. But either will do either. Basically, AA#2's smidgen of "slowness" does progressively better than Bullseye as you move up the velocity scale.

Bullseye is "residuey." AA#2 is very clean.

Bullseye meters fair. AA#2 meters superior to anything I've ever used - bar none.

Bullseye is more economical; but just slightly.

Really, with 45 ACP, you can't go wrong with either. You mentioned 9mm? If I loaded for both chamberings, and had both propellants, I'd use Bullseye mostly for 45 ACP; and AA#2 mostly for 9mm. AA#2 has a slight preference for the higher pressures found in 9mm. AA#2/115's in 9mm is a phenomenal combination. Much like Bullseye/230's in 45 ACP ;).
 
Western Powders

AA2 is my favorite powder. You can go to Western Powders website and download their version six load guide. Plenty of recipes for all their powders.
 
One of the best things about #2 is that it is actually pretty bulky. So is #5. Bulky is good. there have been a lot of things said about double charges, but here are the facts.

you can't double charge 9 mm with #2. the max charge for 115 grain is about half of the case volume, a double charge literally spills. A .38 load double charged almost reaches the bullet base. Even a .45 should be very obviously over loaded with a double charge. the stuff flows like water and looks like mercury in the case, and an overcharge is rather easy to spot visually. #2 can be kind of sooty if it's loaded to low pressure, that's all I can complain about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top