Accurate Arms #9 (147 grain bullets)

Disclaimer: All of the following powder charges were taken from reloading manuals produced by gun powder companies or other reloading manuals that may vary in powder charges greatly. Various components combined, make all the difference in the world. I am not responsible for your actions. Always refer to official reloading manuals when reloading. As usual, I must say that this information is what works for me. Use your own common sense. You are responsible for your own actions!

AA #9 may be the most forgiving & versatile 357 Sig powder on the market. Accurate Arms Company 800-416-3006; www.accuratepowder.com

Note: The Accurate Arms Reloading Number 2 Book states that 10.5 grains is the maximum powder charge, while the Speer's Reloading Manual (13^th Edition), states that 12.0 is the maximum charge. These variations are based on the components tested in their lab environments. When you begin approaching the maximum Accurate Arms loading and beyond, be very careful. The individual components you use can make a huge difference!

NOTE REGARDING DIFFERENT LOTS OF #9: With my newest lot of #9, I doubt if I could even put 12.0 grains (Speers limit) of powder in a 357 Sig case and stay below the maximum SAAMI over-all cartridge length.

147 Grain Bullet Summary

In the following tests, I was pleasantly surprised how excellently the 147 grain bullet performed:

1.     Velocities ranged from 908 fps (power factor: 134) to 1200 fps (power factor: 176). These are excellent results using a 4” barrel. And once again, this shows how well the 357 Sig can perform with short barrels.

2.     The 147 grain bullet is excellent for either Minor or Major Power loads in IPSC competition (Minor: 125; Major 165).

3.     The perceived recoil of firing a 147 grain bullet is noticeably less than a 125 grain bullet.

4.     At the lower velocities, the 147 grain bullet is noticeably quieter than a 125 grain bullet, and appears to have less flash as well. In fact, using a 147 grain bullet is an excellent way to go if you have a need for subsonic speeds under 1000 fps.

5.     In the Accurate Arms Manual, using a maximum of 10.5 grains (compressed), the pressure is listed at only 34,400 psi.

Springfield XD 357 with standard 4.0" barrel

Starline brass

Winchester primers

Rainier 147 grain plated hollow point bullet

Note: The Rainier 147 grain bullet has a similar cone nose profile as a Hornady Jacketed hollow point, although the Rainier bullet has a slightly wider hollow point. It also has a slightly shorter bullet length than many of the other 147 grain bullets I’ve looked at. I like the Rainier 147 bullet since you can buy it in bulk for aprox. $48 per 1000 at gun shows or from Midway for $52. Not bad at all for a decent plated hollow point bullet. If anyone has any good 147 grain bullets that work well in the 357 Sig format, please email me (see my address below).

.658:            Average bullet length for the Hornady XTP 147 grain Hollow point

.620 - .635:  Bullet length for the Rainier 147 grain Hollow point. Note: the bullet length fluctuates significantly, which affects the overall cartridge length (OAL).  

+E = Energy in ft-pounds; ++P.F. = Power Factor

Bullet Setback Test Using a 147 Grain Bullet

Springfield XD  with standard 4.0" barrel

Starline brass

Winchester primers

Rainier 147 grain plated hollow point bullet

WARNING: The following bullet setback chart is meant for example only and I do not recommend trying to duplicate this test. Even though it worked for me, it may not work for you. You are responsible for your own actions.

Bullet setback test means that I literally crammed the bullet as far into the case as possible so the #9 powder was actually holding the bullet up. This is a crude test to show that #9 works well under compression and appears to provide some bullet setback insurance for those that may be concerned. You can think of this test as provoking a worse case scenario. The good news is that #9 performed admirably and no apparent overpressure signs occurred. Kids, do not try this at home/on the range. I did not actually test the pressures generated in this exercise. I merely observed the firing sequence and the results after the fact.

*L refers to the fact that the normal part of the bullet that is crimped is "Low" and inside the case, although most of the cone shaped nose is still outside the case!

**Regarding Maximum Diameter Expansion of Case: For this test, I used once fired brass so it was easier to push the bullet into the case. The brass diameter measured approximately .424 before firing it. The low diameter case measurements really shows off the excellently supported XD chamber opening and fairly tight chamber in general. In fact, the XD 357 chamber is one of the very best I've ever seen in a 357 Sig based pistol.