A short story for those that remember Winchester 452AA powder, and still use it.

["Big Boston"]

My dwindling stock of Trail Boss powder necessitated dipping into my stash of 452AA. I suppose just about any powder on hand can be considered the new Trail Boss given the present supply and production issues. 

 

My post got a bit wordy, fairly common when I get going, so instead of having a really long post I've attached the document. 

 

Warning, a FYI, more of a musing on my part than a document of substance.

 

452AA.pdf 

 

Document was updated with 3.0 grain data. 

 

452AA Rev a.pdf

[G W Wade]

Went thru many lbs before became unavailable.  Then found an 8 lb on dealers shelf, swooped it up like a football player and made an end run to the checkout.  But that is gone also.    Was a great powder for my 45 ACP        GW

["Big Boston"]

Addendum: I was curious as to if the powder charge could be lowered even more. I loaded up some ammo with 3 grains of powder, keeping the rest of the recipe the same.

 

Calibre	357 Magnum			Date Loaded		2022-04-10
Powder	452AA (Ontario Keg)			Weight in Grains		3.0 (Dillon)
Bullet	148-358-WC LEE (.358)			Weight in Grains		148 - 150
Primer	WW SP			Loaded OAL		1.37
Case	FEDERAL 357 MAGNUM			Weight in Grains
Times Loaded				Number loaded
Rifle	SASS 13			Barrel clean/fouled
Velocity Av	743.5/748	Es	28.5/25.5	Sd	10.29/10.48	Shots	5>/5<

["Big Boston"]

 

R-L: An as cast LEE 358-148-WC, a 357 Mag cartridge loaded with the same bullet, and a sized and lubed LEE WC. Somewhat similar to a Lyman 358091.

 

It occurred to me my article lacked a picture, my bad. 

 

 

[Painted Mohawk SASS 77785]

Ah what a great powder  452AA is...I still have some & use mainly in my Trap loads but it is great in the pistol..funnily enough I always used flake powder & yes ball powder can drop a 'little' bit more on the loading table but performance is worth it..I actually came across a big unopened tin of 442AA ...contacted Winchester & the guy  said no such powder & must have been an Australian brew..we did have a Winchester facility turning out all sorts of products but sadly is no more.

Nobel 78 & 80 were also a great powder .