Surplus 4895 in the 45-70

[nighthunter]

I today tried surplus 4895 in my 45-70. I tried 3 loads of powder, 44, 46 and 48 grains, with 2 different bullets. 5 rounds each with the Lyman 457122 HP bullet at 340 grains and a 440 grain custom MM FNGC. Why have I never tried 4895 before in the 45-70? I should be kicked in the butt for not trying it. At 44 grains I got some unburned powder but the groups were ok. As the weight of the powder charge increased the unburned powder decreased and the groups shrank a lot. I am going to try 50 and 52 grains of 4895 next. Sometimes I have to be hit in the head pretty hard to turn the light bulb on. But the elevator usually gets to the top floor eventually.
Nighthunter

[Buckshot]

...............IMR3031 is THE powder in the 45-70 for maximum effort loads. Being as IMR4895 is next up the chain, that powder in a good strong rifle means you could load a casefull and not be in any danger. The surplus 4895 that I have is a just a bit slower then IMR4895, so would be even safer yet.

I've had good results with it (4895) in the 45-70 and 45-90 but used a filler. The filler helps clean things up so far as unburned powder goes.

................Buckshot

[Nazgul]

I am on my third 8 lb jug of surplus 4895, most used in the 45-70.

[PatMarlin]

My Guide Gun loves it. My .223 Howa loves it. My thutty thutty loves it. So glad I bought some when I did... :drinks:

[nighthunter]

The weather is supposed to get pretty nice here for the next few days so I am going to try Buckshot's advice and add a little dacron filler to my loads. I am still going to try increasing the loads. I have a feeling that I have found something my Ruger #1 really likes.
Nighthunter

[catboat]

It's going the other way, but 13 grains of Unique was effective in my Marlin 45-70 with the 457122 bullet. Guessing MV ~ 1100 fps. Quiet, and accurate.

[nighthunter]

I can't seem to get 4895 to burn cleanly in my Ruger #1 45-70. I tried using a filler and it was the same as without a filler. I think I'm going to stay with 4198 and 3031.
Nighthunter

[Bass Ackward]

I can't seem to get 4895 to burn cleanly in my Ruger #1 45-70. I tried using a filler and it was the same as without a filler. I think I'm going to stay with 4198 and 3031.
Nighthunter


NH,

If you want to rign the bell, you need a slight compression for 4895. So a solid filler like PSB will produce better burn if you have it. Then just adjust your loadings, trading off between powder and PSB so that you always have a light compression and watch the stuff burn. Besides, a little light ash never hurt my project results using it.

[nighthunter]

Bass ... Even a compressed load of 52 gr 4895 with a 440 gr FNGC from a MM left all kinds of unburnt powder. By unburnt powder I talking about powder falling out when I eject the fired case from the Ruger #1. After a few rounds I have to blow out the action to keep from interfereing with the rifle. Powder lays in the chamber and makes loading difficult. I'm useing a Rem 9 1/2 primer and I'm sure its capeable of ignition. I have a decent crimp even for a single shot and I'm at a loss as to what to try other than going back to 4198 and 3031.
Nighthunter

PS ... I have the same problem with 5744.

[Bass Ackward]

NH,

Strange.

I shoot 45 grains with a 420 grainer and a pistol primer. I get a light ash, but no kernals. Then again, I am seated into the lands, crimped, with fairly stiff neck tension to boot. I don't get kernals unless I drop below Varget.

[PatMarlin]

I get kernels too but the accuracy is so good, I don't care.

[John Boy]

I can't seem to get 4895 to burn cleanly in my Ruger #1 45-70. I tried using a filler and it was the same as without a filler.
Try putting 1" squares of toilet paper over the powder to make the powder burn more completely.

Do have to agree though ... 3031 IS the powder for the straight wall 45-70. Am a 99.9% Black shooter, but I took some 457124's loaded with 3031 to the range today for vernier settings. At 300yd, had 4 rounds do a 4 leaf clover ... in the 10 ring. And I was using a 200yd maintenance target

[Castaway]

I use it in my 45-70, Ruger #1 with good results. I drop a 423 grain bullet that I patch, place 52.5 grains of suplus 4895 under it and consistently shoot 2" groups. Have had some better groups, but not day-in, day-out affair.