5744 and .45-70?

[Nick Adams]

Just curious whether anyone here is using 5744 for their .45-70 handloads?

And specifically with the .405gn boolits ... I've got a 500-unit box of COATED .405gn FPs that's been collecting dust since last deer season. Other projects have kept me from sitting down and developing loads for my Marlin SBL.

I also have about ten canisters of the 5744 that need to get used, ... hence my query for the .45-70 experts about using that propellant.

Just looking for a good load on deer, as well as for practice and plinking. Don't need a shoulder bustin', magnum-level bear-stopper.

Thanks in advance!

[waco]

I'm still working on two eight pound jugs of SR4759.....

[USSR]

Supposed to be a good powder for the 45-70. If it wasn't so dang expensive ($5 - $7 more a lb than IMR4198) I'd try it.

Don

[NSB]

I've used it and it works good. However, just about any powder I've used with my various 45-70's seems to work good. It's the least fussy cartridge I've ever loaded for. I prefer 4198, Rel7, and 2400 better than the 5744 because they all work as good or better, are easier to find, and don't leave a lot of unburned powder in the barrel.

[Kraschenbirn]

I've found 5744 a good choice for 500 grainers in my 45-70s but, around here, it's expensive and, often, hard to find. Loading AA2015 uses more powder but I load it in a couple other cartridges so I always keep an adequate supply on hand. Don't shoot 405s in my Highwall or RB but have found that good ol' Unique is more accurate when duplicating ballistics of the 45-55-405 load in my trapdoor carbine.

Bill

[veeman]

I've started using Shooters World Buffalo Rifle powder in place of 5744. Same powder basically, same amount used, $20 a lbs at gun show. Very accurate in my 76 45/75.

[barnabus]

im not impressed at all with it. h4198 shoots better.

[cwlongshot]

MY FAVORITE 45/70 trapdoor load powder!!! Just a lil costly.

4198/RE7 for heavies.

CW

[lotech]

I've tried many powders in .45-70 but seldom shoot .45-70 rifles anymore. My notes indicate best accuracy with the Lyman #457193 (about 420 grs. ww alloy) was with 5744 loaded to a muzzle velocity of about 1300 fps in a Marlin lever action. However, with the Lyman #457122 HP (about 330 grs. ww alloy), I didn't have good results using 5744 in a Shiloh Sharps and a Ruger #3. 4759 did best in those guns.

[wwmartin]

I'm still working on two eight pound jugs of SR4759.....

I have #20 of SR4759 does the 40% of the black powder load work as a place to start. Data for this powder is hard to find as it's discontinued as is SR4756, I have 2 #5 cans of it. That's a lot of 9mm.
My stay at home project is ammo for the 1876 in 50-95 express. 28gr of 5744 worked for the first load tried. Accurate, but left alot of unburned powder.

Bill

[veeman]

My stay at home project is ammo for the 1876 in 50-95 express. 28gr of 5744 worked for the first load tried. Accurate, but left alot of unburned powder.

Bill
Try IMR 4198. The best I've found so far in my 76, tho it's a "Uberti Chamber" 45/75.

[fgd135]

My 1884 TD rifle is pretty accurate using 5744 and a 415 grain plain base boolit. No filler, no wads. Iirc, I began by using the starting load for the 405 gr cast boolit in the AA on-line Trapdoor rifle data.
Is it any better than other reduced load smokeless loads? I don't really know the answer, as it's the only smokeless powder I've ever used in a BP rifle. I bought it to try in my MH rifles, but never have, as I decided my MH cases, made from re-formed 24 gauge CBC shotgun brass, were better for BP only.

[gpidaho]

5744 can be come by much cheaper by just buying Shooters World Buffalo Rifle. Same powder. Like 296- H110 or 231- HP38. That said , I like 3031 in the 45-70. Gp

[Nueces]

I've used 28/5744 under 405 grain CBs with wonderful results in a 28" Pedersoli Sharps. Chronoed MV was 1280 fps and accuracy was under an inch at 100 meters. This was at least 10 years ago and the bullets were from Laser Cast, I think.

[rintinglen]

I've used it and it works good. However, just about any powder I've used with my various 45-70's seems to work good. It's the least fussy cartridge I've ever loaded for. I prefer 4198, Rel7, and 2400 better than the 5744 because they all work as good or better, are easier to find, and don't leave a lot of unburned powder in the barrel.

What he said. 5744 runs 32-38 bucks a pound, and I have about 16 pounds of 2400 and a couple of Rx7 that meet all my 45-70 needs that Unique doesn't.

[Norske]

Aren't Shooters World powders re-branded Lovex powder from Europe? Lovex is a powder choice in my QuickLoad program, so I've been considering trying some.

[richhodg66]

I like it for Trapdoor loads in the .45-70. ABout 31 grains and a 340 grain bullet was a nice, accurate load in my H&R.

[RedlegEd]

Aren't Shooters World powders re-branded Lovex powder from Europe? Lovex is a powder choice in my QuickLoad program, so I've been considering trying some.

Hi Norske,
Yes, Shooter's World is Lovex powder. Also, their Buffalo Rifle (Lovex D060) used to be sold as Accurate 5744 until they changed sources. I've been using Buffalo Rifle, Long Rifle, and Clean Shot and I'm very happy with their performance and cost.
Ed

[fgd135]

Shooter's World Buffalo Rifle (Lovex D060) used to be sold as Accurate 5744 until they changed sources.


This is great to know! It's sooo much cheaper than 5744.

[PAndy]

Shooters World Buffalo is good, but the bottles we tried this year appear to be somewhat slower than 5744 data. Burned a little slower than 4198 in 30-30 loads . 5744 data should certainly be safe, but expect less fps.

[Norske]

Western Powders' handloading manual describes 5744 as not being position critical, meaning fillers shouldn't be needed. In the 28,000 psi (a.k.a. modern lever actions) the data for a 405gr FP bullet starts at 30.6 gr 5744 for 1468 fps, and stops at 34 gr powder for 1600 fps.
WLR primers.