4759 Hard data for discontinuance

[Mark Daiute]

Does anyone have any hard information as to why 4759 got discontinued? We all have opinions and suppositions, I'm looking for solid info. In the meantime I have contacted Hodgdon.

[Nines&Twos]

Why have several powders been discontinued over the last handful of years? I was REALLY diggin' 4166...then gone. I'm sitting on several pounds of HS7 that i will sorely miss when I meter the last granules.

[Mark Daiute]

I see 2014 communications with Chris Hodgdon stating cost and technology.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

in 2018, Ed Harris posted at CBA, "SR4759 was originally used for loading cal. .30 plastic frangible training ammunition and was discontinued when the government requirement went away. Trail Boss was/is a smokeless replacement for black in maritime line throwing and whaling applications, as well as for the propelling charge in 40mm grenades and explosive bolts for air ordnance. It will be around for a while, but I don't see cast bullet users being able to provide enough demand for them to produce SR4759 again without a government application."

[Gav-n-Tn]

I just bought four 8oz cans of SR4759 (all same lot#) a few weeks ago. I paid too much but, not any more than what other obsolete powder is bringing now. Actually, not much more than any powder is currently selling for.

[Chill Wills]

This can go into your U-IQ (useless information quotient )
Last century sometime I read that SR-4759 was chemically 4831 but without the deterrent and extruded into the short perforated stick that we know.

Useless, in that we aren't going to make our own.....

[Rockindaddy]

I really like 4759 for loading cast lead boolits. Must have 40~50 lbs left. My cast boolit loads for 38-55, 40-65, 45-70, & 50-70 all shoot well with 4759. My 1877 Colt Gatling works with a Magma 385 gr 45-70 bevel base boolit and 4759 driving the boolit. I get a little smoke with my lubricant and the old surplus 4759. Almost looks like shooting black powder.

[Nobade]

This can go into your U-IQ (useless information quotient )
Last century sometime I read that SR-4759 was chemically 4831 but without the deterrent and extruded into the short perforated stick that we know.

Useless, in that we aren't going to make our own.....

Isn't pretty much all IMR powder the same thing chemically? Just different shapes and coatings on it.

[M-Tecs]

I see 2014 communications with Chris Hodgdon stating cost and technology.

If I remember correctly, it was being made in Canada and production costs verse volume of sales was the main issue.

[Dom]

I feel also lost with SR 4756 being discontinued. Used for many of my hand gun loads. Still have a decent supply.

[ShooterAZ]

I still have a couple of pounds of it left. AA5744 is probably the next best thing, but not quite as good IMO.

[Outpost75]

If I remember correctly, it was being made in Canada and production costs verse volume of sales was the main issue.

The DuPont product produced prior to 1977 used cotton linters in manufacture of the nitrocellulose base material whereas the Canadian product is produced using wood linters which causes reduced effectiveness of nitration. This results in lower specific energy and the type and amount of deterrent must be modified to get the required specific energy in the closed-bomb tests. Bottom line is that burning rate of current IMR powders is a bit faster than the pre-1976 stuff. Todays 4895 burns like old 3031 and today's 4064 and RL15 are a closer approximation of 1970s military pull-down 4895.

[Chill Wills]

Isn't pretty much all IMR powder the same thing chemically? Just different shapes and coatings on it.

I will let you answer that. I don't have the data to know. Just repeating. The point being, it might be something that could be manufactured without too much trouble other than shape. I think we all understand if the market demand for SR-4759 would allow the manufactures to make money, it would be on the shelves.

I still have some and will miss it when it is gone.

[Green Frog]

Back in the ‘90s when I started shooting 32-40 single shots in the Schuetzen game, I read in the literature of day that 13.2 gr of 4759 under virtually any good bullet from 165-200 grains either breech seated or fixed was a great place to start. I never found anything I liked better in my high wall.
I gathered up all the 4759 I could afford ending with an eight pound jug of surplus pull down 4759 which I still am using only for my pet high wall.
Froggie

[Green Frog]

PS when the late Charlie Dell was doing research in causes of chamber ringing, he found that 4759 was the powder least likely to ring our old soft steel barrels. Another reason to use it!

[M-Tecs]

I used it a fair amount thru the years, but I never kept much on hand. When I heard it was on the way out, I ordered 32 pounds from Power Valley. I should be good for a while.

[lotech]

It has been discontinued two or three times beginning about 1965, I think. It's popularity has been mainly with cast bullet shooters, an incredibly small segment of the handloading hobby which in itself is a tiny faction of shooters in general.

I have used a lot of this powder and still have some, but I firmly believe and have found that any powder can be replaced by one or more of the glut of powders we have available today. It takes load development, something many don't want to repeat after we have found a good powder that works well. I certainly understand that.

[racepres]

It has been discontinued two or three times beginning about 1965, I think. It's popularity has been mainly with cast bullet shooters, an incredibly small segment of the handloading hobby which in itself is a tiny faction of shooters in general.

I have used a lot of this powder and still have some, but I firmly believe and have found that any powder can be replaced by one or more of the glut of powders we have available today. It takes load development, something many of don't want to repeat after we have found a good powder that works well. I certainly understand that.

I have been enjoying the Revisiting of Development!!

[Green Frog]

Intentionally or not, 4759 had a combination of characteristics that made it nearly perfect for the old soft steel barrels found in our antique Schuetzen rifle. This especially comes into play where barrel ringing may be a concern. Also, lead bullets seem to play well with it. Other powders may come close, but this was the Goldilocks of Schuetzen powders
Froggie

[waco]

I love 4759. Works well in several of my rifles. I use it pretty sparingly. I still have around 12 pounds.