End of the road for IMR 4759?

[BrassFinger]

I recently purchased 8 lbs. of it on blind faith and loaded up some 180gr. RCBS SP boolits over 22gr. of powder in my old tang-safety M-77. Shot a bit less than a 2" group at 100 yds. with just a 4x scope and front bag rest. It's a pretty stout load compared to 16gr. 2400 under a 165-SIL RCBS.

It's interesting that the 165-SIL is very accurate with that 2400 load but much less so with 20gr. of 4959. The opposite is true of the 180gr. SP, at least in my informal range tests so far.

Chris

[Newtire]

I use it and love it in my mid-power 450 Marlin and 7.5 Swiss cast loads.

I bought an 8# keg last spring- should last me my lifetime.

Once you start using it in cast boolit loads, it goes alot faster than you think!

[9w1911]

IMR 8188 from JBartlett is a completely different powder. I have both and 8188 looks nothing like retail versions of SR4759. Similar burn rate but not the same powder.

[ubetcha]

I recently purchased 8 lbs. of it on blind faith and loaded up some 180gr. RCBS SP boolits over 22gr. of powder in my old tang-safety M-77. Shot a bit less than a 2" group at 100 yds. with just a 4x scope and front bag rest. It's a pretty stout load compared to 16gr. 2400 under a 165-SIL RCBS.

It's interesting that the 165-SIL is very accurate with that 2400 load but much less so with 20gr. of 4959. The opposite is true of the 180gr. SP, at least in my informal range tests so far.

Chris

What caliber are you using this load in? I have a Ruger M77 in 06 and have been wanting to try 2400 and the 165 sil, but right now, I'm low on 2400

[BrassFinger]

What caliber are you using this load in? I have a Ruger M77 in 06 and have been wanting to try 2400 and the 165 sil, but right now, I'm low on 2400

I have the same gun, ubetcha. It's a mid '71 vintage "hollow bolt", 22" Douglas barrel with flip down rear sight and original Redfield 4x "wideview" scope. I picked it up used this spring from a LGS in almost new condition and it's a beautiful gun and great shooter.


-Chris

[Newtire]

What caliber are you using this load in? I have a Ruger M77 in 06 and have been wanting to try 2400 and the 165 sil, but right now, I'm low on 2400

Hi Ubetcha! From what I understand, this powder was developed to be used in reduced loads for rifles like the '06. I have used it for most accurate cast bullet loads I've shot in .30-06, .257 Ackley and 6.5 X 06. All of these were in the 1600-1800 fps range and all with bullets that were heavier ones (although I suppose lighter ones might work. At last year's Winnemucca shoot, one of our own used it in a Steyr .375 H & H and it shot a very respectable group before we ran out of ammo. I think this powder sits in a class of it's own as far as cast shooting goes but I have had similar good luck wih RX-7 in my .30-06 and the Lyman 311290.

That being said, it is the worst powder for running thru a measure that I know of and some people I know hate the stuff.

[marshall623]

"That being said, it is the worst powder for running thru a measure that I know of and some people I know hate the stuff."

It took a lot of messing with it ( no mods just trying different settings ) , but I've got my lyman 55 where it can run 4759 faily well . I have almost a # , but for the most part saving it for the kids reduced loads . I'm really liking the results I'm getting with RL-7 in the 700 rem in 308 and the 7mm-08 striker. A lot of IHMSA shooters rely on 4759 & for that game its hard powder to beat about the perfect power range , fills the case good . One positive for me on this 4759 going away business is , it got me off my butt and to the store to buy a pound of RL-7.

[ubetcha]

I use 18gr of 4759 and the 165gr sil in my 14" 30-30 T/C for IHMSA shooting. I have to find a powder that will work as good for that too. Right now I will start with R-7 or may try Unique. My project in work right now is my 12" G2 in 357Max re-chambered my Mike Bellm. Last match with only 50m settings, I shot a 34x40. I didn't think that was bad for a match with out proper sight settings. 15gr IMR 4227 and a RCBS 180 gr sil bullet.
Concerning 2400 in the 06. is a filler recommended?

[marshall623]

I use 18gr of 4759 and the 165gr sil in my 14" 30-30 T/C for IHMSA shooting. I have to find a powder that will work as good for that too. Right now I will start with R-7 or may try Unique. My project in work right now is my 12" G2 in 357Max re-chambered my Mike Bellm. Last match with only 50m settings, I shot a 34x40. I didn't think that was bad for a match with out proper sight settings. 15gr IMR 4227 and a RCBS 180 gr sil bullet.
Concerning 2400 in the 06. is a filler recommended?

Can't say on the filler for 06 I ve never had to use any. The 34 with on 50m sight settings is pretty good. A lot can happen from 50 to 200

[ubetcha]

Can't say on the filler for 06 I ve never had to use any. The 34 with on 50m sight settings is pretty good. A lot can happen from 50 to 200

Had to hold a the base of the chicken foot, center hold on pigs and turkeys, and horizontal scope hair horn high on the rams. I just need range time to get proper settings. My initial settings were off the bench.not from the Creedmore shooting position.

[polebilly]

I often see 5744 and 4227 mentioned as replacements for 4759 but almost never see 4198 mentioned. Seems to be the redheaded stepchild of powders anymore.

[marshall623]

I often see 5744 and 4227 mentioned as replacements for 4759 but almost never see 4198 mentioned. Seems to be the redheaded stepchild of powders anymore.

Before I started shooting 4759 , I ran IMR 4198 in my 7 TCU with 130 lees and 160 Lymans and they shot good and its the most accurate in my 223 contender with 55 gr. Sierra's . The 30 Herrett likes it too

[leadman]

BrassFinger, drop your load to 18 or 19gr and you might like it better.
I have found the Lee Pro Disk measure works very well with SR4659. I recently bought an #8 jug.

[EDG]

>>"That being said, it is the worst powder for running thru a measure that I know of and some people I know hate the stuff." <<

I use a Lyman/AMT Autoscale. It dispenses the powder into a mechanical scale. SR4759 works great. The large granules dispense quickly right down to the 1/10 of a grain by just the push of a button. The AMT Autoscale was designed for large grained powders.

I don't use a measure for anything except ball powders.

Attachment 115580

[BrassFinger]

BrassFinger, drop your load to 18 or 19gr and you might like it better.
I have found the Lee Pro Disk measure works very well with SR4659. I recently bought an #8 jug.

Thanks, leadman. I was going to load some up today and head to the range later on, so I'll give that a try. I have a Redding measure as well as a Lyman measure and like the Redding quite a bit better. It not the greatest with 4759, mostly having issues with bridging in the drop tube, so I just have to be careful and make sure each case gets the full charge and weigh-verify more often.

Chris

[cbrick]

If my results are indicative of it's potential, I say good riddance.

If my results are indicative of it's potential I'd say I'm in trouble, I'm down to about 21 pounds. If I run into more I'll grab it but if the past several months are an indication I think I have a problem.

Rick