For flashlights, AAAs are the new black

Emitter technology has pushed performance higher and higher until finally, after years of subpar output, common cells even in single-cell flashlights produce more than enough light for EDC use. It used to be that flashaholics (what flashlight fans call themselves) demanded exotic lithium cells like CR123a or CR2 (batteries that were commonly used in cameras) or even more esoteric rechargeable formats like 18650 cells in their lights. The only way to coax respectable lumens counts out of AA or AAA lights was to double or triple them up, a requirement that resulted in bulky, un-pocket-friendly designs.

But with the release of CREEs XPG, XML, XPG2 and XML2 emitters, the performance of a single-cell light running an AA or AAA battery is more than sufficient. The benefits of using common cells are obvious–you can power your light anywhere at anytime. If there is a gas station nearby then you have power and thus light. And in an emergency you can also raid common household items, like remote controls, to power your lights. (New modern flashlights can sip power out of even “mostly dead” batteries). A final advantage of the lowly AAA battery is that it also happens to be about ten times cheaper than its lithium counterpart (though you can cut the costs of lithiums significantly by ordering online).

If emitter tech lets you choose your cell, the choice, at least among custom makers and those that buy trend-setting lights, is clear–AAA batteries are now the default flashlight battery choice. In writing for my site, I have made connections with quite a few custom makers and we chat regularly. More than one, in fact, more than three, have mentioned upcoming designs using 1xAAA. The form factor is the main reason. AAA batteries are significantly smaller and lighter than their AA cousins and they have they same output, just shorter runtimes.

These new emitters have yielded a few production light superstars. The Peak Solutions Eiger is one of the best lights available for under $100, and it can hit more than 200 lumens with a rechargeable 1xAAA. Even with standard alkalines the performance is a decent 60 or so lumens. The 47s Preon 1 is another great 1xAAA light, topping out around 70 lumens. The fact that you can get all of this punch in something that happily resides in the coin pocket of your jeans or your shirt pocket is quite nice. The Maratac 1xAAA is one of the best values in gear, belching out 115 lumens on high.

But just over the horizon, even more tempting options are appearing. The custom Tain Piccolo is an uber-tiny 1xAAA light with a nice high, a nice low, and decent runtime. It is all Ti (of course), equipped with a tritium locator, and runs a super simple UI.

Once this design, or ones like it, seep down to mass-market production companies, watch out. There is a new battery sheriff in town, and it’s an oldie but a goodie. The AAA battery is the new black, and the 1xAAA should be your next EDC light’s power source.

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Hunting with .45 colt black powder loads

Boolit Mold Join DateFeb 2013Posts4

My question about BP .45 colt is,is this enough for hunting deer? I hunt with a Blackhawk now and use hot loads that I add a bit of red paint to so I don't feed them to my colt repro's. It would be great to have one load that will work in both the BH and the colts. The load I am looking at using is a Lyman 452-664 lubed with Emmerits, cast from 20 to 1 in a Starline case primed with a federal 150. I dropped 40 grains of KIK 3F in a volume measure and got a average weight of 37.2 grs. This is giving me about 1/16 of an inch compression on my powder. At this point I am loading up 50 for range testing just to see how they shoot. I hunt in heavy cover and a 7 to 10 yard shot is about all I get here in the Pennsylvania thorn rose paradise I call SGL 91. Any advice from you experienced smokewagon hunters would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Holeinhide.

a 250 at @ 900 fps with a flat point and semi-soft alloy.
within 25 yds distance.
i'd say you have no problem.
the original 45 colt with a 250 [and approx. 40 grs black powder] at that same velocity was specced to take down a horse.
the 664 has a lot more meplat than the original 45 colt boolit.

it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled.

the more i find out about shootin boolits, the more it contradicts everything i ever learned about shooting jaxketed.

I believe it was in "Sixguns" that Elmer Keith told of a cowboy shooting a grizzly through the head with a 45 Colt loaded with black powder that easily killed the bear . I would think it would take deer sized game as well.

BIG OR SMALL I LIKE THEM ALL, 577 TO 22 HORNET.

A BP load is hotter than my old hunting load. I'm working on a new SP hunting load for my Ruger but it's not much hotter than a BP load. I've toyed with the idea of a BP hunting load myself, have no doubt it will do the job.

Life Member NRA, TSRA
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

Boolit Mold Join DateDec 2012Posts15

37 grains of KIK 3f under a 250 grain bullet is plenty for deer. A rancher friend of mine in Wyoming shot a rank Angus bull between the eyes with his 45LC using the same load and dropped the bull on the spot from a distance of six yards. The meat processor called and wanted to know what the bull had been shot with. He found the bullet in the neck just in front of the shoulders. That load has more horsepower than you might think.

Boolit Mold Join DateFeb 2013Posts4

That's great information, I got so tired of the you need a hand cannon to hunt deer story that I began to wonder how we ever survived the old days. When I started to research BP loading I found that all the years of not using my SAA's (they just feel better and I shoot better with them) may have been a waste. As a long time smokeless loader filling the case and squashing the powder seemed counterintuitive. I cant wait to get to the range to test them out, I plan to start them in the BH and move through the SAA repro's and see what happens.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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