After a further search to see if any shotgun loads have been developed for AA5744, none are found.

It shows a burn rate just slower than IMR 4227, the slowest powder commonly used in shotshells (410). It could possibly have loads developed for it by a ballistics lab for that application, but no such loads are evident in the publications.

AA/Hodgdon also state AA5744 is 'an extremely fast burning double based powder' which is untrue unless qualified buy the term 'extruded'. It is a fast stick powder, but slow compared with EVERY powder used in shot shells.

This article in Gun Digest buys into the low density claim:

https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/reloading/accurate-5744-powder-versatility-in-a-bottle

To quote the article:

"The size of the extruded grains of Accurate 5744 are significantly larger than those of most other extruded powders, and that additional bulk takes up enough room in the big cases so that no filler is required."

AA/Hodgdon DO recommend against fillers, but the statement about additional bulk is simply false.

Makes one wonder how or why Gun Digest wrote this. It's certainly not the result any independent work on their part, they are just parroting incorrect information from the powder manufacturer.


"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble