[Nam Vet]

Going to load 250gr Cast LRNFP mostly for Cowboy Action.
Would like to use Accurate Powder. Any suggestions as to which one to use?

 

[TheMrNotSoFamous]

#5

 

[refugeepj]

#2 would be the least expensive. #5 the best between performance and economy. check the website data and decide what velocity would give you the desired results.

 

[guncheese]

wouldnt Solo 1000 be the best economy wise?
ive come to like that powder
but it seems there has been more work done with No.5
is No.5 a bigger flake ?

ACCURATE SOLO 1000
200 (L) LC RN FP 6.0 897 7.1 989 13,925 1.586
255 (L) LC SWC 5.2 760 6.1 845 13,875 1.604
300 (L) LC FP 4.1 645 4.8 712 13,356 1.566

ACCURATE NO. 2
200 (L) LC RN FP 6.8 898 8.0 1,012 13,825 1.586
255 (L) LC SWC 5.9 790 7.0 888 13,750 1.604
300 (L) LC FP 4.7 670 5.6 749 13,987 1.566

ACCURATE NO. 5
185 SIERRA JHP 10.8 946 12.0 1,075 12,200 1.575
200 HDY XTP 10.4 908 11.5 1,032 13,400 1.595
210 (L) MCB RN BB 10.9 904 12.1 1,027 12,500 1.620
225 (L) MCB TC BB 10.9 909 12.1 1,033 13,800 1.620
230 HDY XTP 9.9 853 11.0 969 14,000 1.595
240 SIERRA JHP 9.5 854 10.5 970 14,000 1.590
250 HDY XTP 9.9 704 11.0 800 14,000 1.570
250 (P) RAIN FP 9.4 765 10.4 870 12,900 1.585
255 (L) LC SWC 8.2 818 9.6 936 13,400 1.600
300 (L) LC FP 6.6 723 7.8 818 13,212 1.566

 

[moakes58]

Going to load 250gr Cast LRNFP mostly for Cowboy Action.
Would like to use Accurate Powder. Any suggestions as to which one to use?

If you go to their website, they will send you a very nice (free) hard copy of their load data for Accurate & Ramshot powders (Western Powders).

There are a few accurate powders, as well as a couple Ramshot, that would work well!

Be advised to be aware what firearm they will be used in, as to whether you can use standard or high pressure loads.

 

[Nam Vet]

Thanks for the info guys. Went to 3 LGS none of them had Accurate, Titegroup or HP38.
Settled on Unique. Loading 250gr 45LC cast RNFP from Kings.
Working from R.Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition for starting load for Unique powder is 8.4 which is #44 for Lee Auto Disk. Set it up with #44 but never got more then 7.3.
Weighed the charges 8 times on the Lee scale and a digital. All the same none more then 7.4.
Called Lee CS talked to a tech. He said it's not the fault of the Lee Pro Auto -Disk but the powder.Unique powder doesn't meter well in the Auto Disk! Asked if you know it doesn't meter to spec why does Lee show it does? Well you can divide this by that then multiply by this. I had no idea what he was talking about and told him. His response was or you can buy Lee's Micrometer Adjustable Charge Bar and work up you precise load.
Called and found one of my LGS carried it. Set it up in the Pro Auto Disk and bingo!
Took all of 10 mins. to get a precise load of 8.4. Loaded 20 rounds. Going to the range during the week to test my first handloads in over 20 years.
Love the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press. But was a bit turn off buy their load dater for Unique.
I'll show the result's next week.

 

[guncheese]

i was wondering where you had located a selection of Accurate powders ?

and calculating VMD isnt just a Lee thing but they promote using it as its the only true way to make those guesses

i just keep trying things till i get it right

 

[moakes58]

Thanks for the info guys. Went to 3 LGS none of them had Accurate, Titegroup or HP38.
Settled on Unique. Loading 250gr 45LC cast RNFP from Kings.
Working from R.Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition for starting load for Unique powder is 8.4 which is #44 for Lee Auto Disk. Set it up with #44 but never got more then 7.3.
Weighed the charges 8 times on the Lee scale and a digital. All the same none more then 7.4.
Called Lee CS talked to a tech. He said it's not the fault of the Lee Pro Auto -Disk but the powder.Unique powder doesn't meter well in the Auto Disk! Asked if you know it doesn't meter to spec why does Lee show it does? Well you can divide this by that then multiply by this. I had no idea what he was talking about and told him. His response was or you can buy Lee's Micrometer Adjustable Charge Bar and work up you precise load.
Called and found one of my LGS carried it. Set it up in the Pro Auto Disk and bingo!
Took all of 10 mins. to get a precise load of 8.4. Loaded 20 rounds. Going to the range during the week to test my first handloads in over 20 years.
Love the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press. But was a bit turn off buy their load dater for Unique.
I'll show the result's next week.

Alliant will send you a hard copy of their load data for free also & the book has cowboy loads. Unique will work for about anything you want to load. I keep it as an emergency back up powder!

 

[Nam Vet]

i was wondering where you had located a selection of Accurate powders ?

and calculating VMD isnt just a Lee thing but they promote using it as its the only true way to make those guesses

i just keep trying things till i get it right

I didn't, couldn't find Accurate anywhere. That's why I used Unique.

 

[moakes58]

I didn't, couldn't find Accurate anywhere. That's why I used Unique.

You are at a good starting load Nam Vet
My book Alliant sent me has a 250 gr. lead bullet using a max load of 9.5 grains Unique & reducing by 10% would be 8.55 grains, so you are right there. They are using a LSWC with a CCI 300 primer & a Min. case overall length (COL) of 1.600" & rate it at 941 FPS.

I have used Unique in .45 ACP loads with 200gr. lead & 230 gr. plated & it worked just fine, but am now using CFE Pistol & prefer it.

I like having tested data on several powders for each pistol caliber I load for as I got caught napping this last shortage, but it won't happen again.

Good luck, please let us know how it works for you & welcome back to reloading.

 

[Nam Vet]

i was wondering where you had located a selection of Accurate powders ?

and calculating VMD isnt just a Lee thing but they promote using it as its the only true way to make those guesses

i just keep trying things till i get it right

Emailed the folks at Accurate powder. Wondered why there are no Accurate dealers in NJ. Received a answer 10 mins later. Just another reason to love NJ gun laws.

"New Jersey changed its state laws for powder importation and we as a result, stopped shipping into the state".

 

[guncheese]

Wondered why there are no Accurate dealers in NJ.

well powder dealers are not like car dealers
where they keep the whole lineup on hand
if there isnt powder
there isnt powder
dealer or not
Accurate powders have been very scarce
(several retailers have had recent stock)
i got a 9oz jug of TB the other day
for a huge price
im thinking its the new norm

 

[Nam Vet]

Range results

Tried out my 1st handloads in over 20 years today. Shot from 15 yards off hand. Unique 8.7gr 45LC 250gr cast RNFP, Interarms Virginian Dragoon 7/12"
A bit smokey not as dirty as expected. Accuracy not bad for a 66 year old with trifocals.

 

[Nam Vet]

You are at a good starting load Nam Vet
My book Alliant sent me has a 250 gr. lead bullet using a max load of 9.5 grains Unique & reducing by 10% would be 8.55 grains, so you are right there. They are using a LSWC with a CCI 300 primer & a Min. case overall length (COL) of 1.600" & rate it at 941 FPS.

I have used Unique in .45 ACP loads with 200gr. lead & 230 gr. plated & it worked just fine, but am now using CFE Pistol & prefer it.

I like having tested data on several powders for each pistol caliber I load for as I got caught napping this last shortage, but it won't happen again.

Good luck, please let us know how it works for you & welcome back to reloading.

Worked out pretty good as you can see....

 

[refugeepj]

my experience with Unique has been difficult metering and it is somewhat dirty. it does work, and in a large variety of applications.
my preference would be AA#5, 7, or perhaps Ramshot Silhouette. Auto Comp from Winchester also works well. tried Longshot recently and like it in some revolver applications.
these days we need to be flexible and open minded. I hope the next administration in Washington isn't so anxious to stimulate the firearms economy. every time our current narcissist in chief opens his mouth another million guns and billion rounds of ammo, along with truckloads of powder and primers get snatched up. this has actually made me a better reloader, I have had to exit my comfort zone and broaden my horizons.

 

[TMan51]

i was wondering where you had located a selection of Accurate powders ?

Precision Reloading, Powder Valley, Natchez Shooters Supply, etc.

The Hazmat is acceptable if you order a variety or a large canister. The problem is suppliers rarely have more than a couple of the powders you need. but that's improviing, slowly.

Accurate powders are excellent products, and so are the other Western Powders. Every bit as good as IMR/Hodgdon/Winchester. Download the Accurate .pdf, and locate a performance level that fits your needs, and order with confidence. I recently grabbed a Nitro 100 bottle to try in light shotgun loads and target loads in the .38. At 2.4gr a round, it goes a long ways, shoots clean, and give very good accuracy.

 

[Nam Vet]

i was wondering where you had located a selection of Accurate powders ?

Went to Kings Shooters Supply in PA. They have a large supply of powders in stock. Picked up 2 lbs Accurate #5 and others. Their Cast bullets are hard 21 on brindle scale About 45 mins from Central NJ. Worth the trip.

 

[Desertrat]

You probably can't go wrong with Solo 1000, #2 or #5...I have used all over the years,
and they are my favorite, when I can find them. I love #7 for 9mm.