Felix, RX-7 in the BFR

[44man]

I tried Reloader 7 in the BFR 45-70 again to retry some loads. This gun will not shoot from bags in any way shape or form. I had to shoot off the side of my leg, Creedmore and even with the 68 year old wiggles and jiggles, it shot OK. I wish I could hold still to see what it would really do.
These were 3 shot groups at 50 yd's. The left target is my 317 gr WLNGC and 45 gr's. They were in 1". If I increase the charge, groups start to open. I have to try 44 and 44.5. The right target is a boolit I made for shooting chickens in BPCR. It weighs 411 gr's and would not shoot with any other powder from the revolver. It has no crimp groove so I crimp above the grease groove. I used 38 gr's of powder. These went into 3/4".
One thing about this powder is the huge BOOM, it is louder then 335 powder. My wife was in the post office up town and it shook the walls.
I still have to try it in the .475.

[felix]

From your results, 44man, it seems you would have to hire an expert to do any better. An expert being some one hot off the press with 30 year old eyes and 65 year old judgement. Hafta' make sure that some body does not shoot off their leg. 45-70 in a revolter? I think I just will be content to just watch. Now try that cheap 680 at the same volume of that RL-7 shoots the best. ... felix

[44man]

Have to buy some 680.

[felix]

One can only because you might not like it. Earlier 680 versions not as clean as latter versions of RL7. Use same volume as RL7 and compare accuracy, ES, etc.. The 680 lot I have is actually H116 and is about 3.2 grains slower/heavier (same volume) than RL7 when the latter is set at 25 grains. Velocity seems about same; pressure seems slightly lower, but not significantly so with the 680. Using 300 grainer in 45 Colt, full case, no compression. Might want to try the comparision in your 475 first where the powder volume is lower than in the 4570. Look around for the cheapest 680, one pound worth. Later WW680's are slower still. Keyword here for 680 is cheap, cheap, cheap! ... felix

[44man]

Cheap is good. Fixed income hurts and the can of RX-7 was $21.70 plus tax. I hope I can find some 680. I wanted a can of 5744 and the store did not have a single can of any Accurate powder left in stock. Slim pickings here and I don't want to order and pay a hazmat fee.

[felix]

5744 is the correct speed, but the granules are too large, especially for the 475. You cannot get enough powder into the case. 45-70, no problem, but then your velocity will be down with an older lot of 5744. The newer lots of 5744 have 20 percent nitroglycerin as opposed to 10 percent, which current day RL7 and 680 have. Have to know lot dates for the 5744 and RL7. Old 5744 has 10 percent, old RL7 has 5 percent. ... felix

[44man]

Good to know. I want to try 5744 in my BPCR with heavy boolits for hunting, if I ever hunt with a rifle again that is. Also seems like a good way to test different boolits for silhouette without the trouble of black powder loading and cleaning.
I am sure that by the time our store gets powder, it will be improved again or be obsolete.

[drinks]

Felix;
In an effort to cut expenses, I looked over the surplus powder available that would, hopefully, replace 4198 and Rel7, both of which I go through in gobs and piles.
I just ordered a jug of WC680 [n], from Bartlett.
What can you tell me about this powder in relation to 4198 and Rel7?
In passing, Hodgdon powders at the only source in 70 miles is now almost $25 lb, with sales tax.
Don