SR 4759

[Charles Graff]

4759 has been discontinued before, yet seems to make a return. Here is the stuff I am using, the original Dupont version. I bought two five pound cans in the mid 80's and still have one unopened. I can wait it out until it's return..I hope!

 

[Ben]

Yes, those are oldies ! !

I hope it will hold you until the return of production of SR 4759.

 

[450AK]

Sarcasm Rick. Just a little tired of "new and improved" when the manufacturers can't seem to keep us supplied with older powder that works

 

[Brad]

I understood the sarcasm. I was gonna ask if you thought it was from the gas checks!

I never used 4759 but know it is very popular with cast bullet shooters. I beleive that RE7 was discontinued at one point also then came back.

We can hope. As for new powders, I can't get too excited. I don't shoot jacketed enough to care about copper fouling reducing powders. I bet Khornet would like them, he shoots lots of jacketed for varmints.

 

[Rick]

Sarcasm Rick. Just a little tired of "new and improved" when the manufacturers can't seem to keep us supplied with older powder that works

Only a bit sarcastic but also legit questions, your post was somewhat perplexing.

 

[smokeywolf]

4759 has been the favorite powder for duplexing with black in 45-70 and similar cartridges, with the second choice being 4227 and the third choice 5744.
I am a bit obsessive about accuracy when charging cartridges. I weigh 100% of stick powders and at least 20% of powders such as Unique, Bullseye and the like. For this reason it really does not bother me in the least that 4759, 5744 and all the other stick powders don't meter well.

 

[sundog]

JSH, you did not mentioned what cartridges you are loading. While 5744 may be close in burn rate (depending on application) it's properties are a bit different in the it has significantly higher nitroglycerin content. That may be of no consequence. Or, it may be. I've been using 4227 for a lot of years in an assortment of bottle neck rifle cartridges with great success. Burn rate is a tad slower than 4759. It meters almost as well as ball powder. You might also consider 4198 or maybe 3031. I've used both of them with success also. Just passing on some rambling thoughts...

 

[Rick]

It's true, 4759 doesn't meter worth a hoot. The amount of 4759 I use was the reason for buying the RCBS Chargemaster. Problem eliminated.

 

[waco]

It's true, 4759 doesn't meter worth a hoot. The amount of 4759 I use was the reason for buying the RCBS Chargemaster. Problem eliminated.

I already had the charge master, but 4759 made it a God send!!! Lol

 

[Pistolero]

I mentioned to Chris Hodgdon recently that some cast bullet shooters were going to be
mighty unhappy about discontinuing SR4759. He says the process to make it is very
inefficient and environmentally dirty, so costs more and caused them trouble. They
are starting to replace many of the old IMRs with newer technology powders that he
says will fill the same niches, but not be directly interchangeable. One is IMR 4064, a
powder than has repeatedly given me my very best match loads for .308, .30-06 and
7.5 Swiss. I told him I was worried that the new powder , IIRC, 4166 will do as good
a job - he said "Give it a try" - and I will. 4350 is on the list, too. I forget the new
replacement's number, but it is out there already.
We talked about new powders for quite a while, so some of it runs together. I think
he said that the new IMR replacements would be temp insensitive, too.

 

[RicinYakima]

I also talked to the Tech's at the 2014 SHOT show. It all comes down to money, as always. The only plant still capable of making single based powders is in Canada. All reloaders are going to get is the stuff from St. Marks, FL, USA and Australia; all double based powders. And all the new powders work great at 48,000 psi to 65,000 psi. Tried any of the new, third generation 5744 for accuracy? FWIW, Ric

 

[waco]

I just saw a pound of it on the shelf at my LGS.

 

[frnkeore]

I'm a long time user of 4759. I have a good stash of it still and it's discontinuation, probably won't effect me but, I really hate loosing it for others to use.

It was the last of the SR (Sporting Rifle) powders and I believe the last of the uncoated slow pistol/rifle type powders. Because of the lack of coating, it was very easy to ignite.

I truely believe that it is being discontinued, souly because Hodgdon wants to increase profits at the expensive of cast bullet shooters!

Regarding it's replacement powder 5744, I've never used it and I will never use it. From what I know about it, it shoots dirty in most, if not all applications. I will have to concede that it can be accurate, as the 200 & 300 yard CBA, Milsurp records are held by it.

There is a very long thread over at the ASSRA Forum, that envolves 5744, if you have the time, it's well worth reading.

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1434466391

Two different rifles (single shots) have blown up, using it and it's not clear if they double charged the cases, one admits to using a wad on the powder but, that usually only produces a "ring" in the chamber.

Frank

 

[KHornet]

Will miss 4759, but then I have missed it before when it was discontinued (twice if memory server me right!

 

[RicinYakima]

It was not available in the late 1960's because all was used to make M-79 "the blooper gun" grenades. When the war was over, the next batch went to us reloaders, about '74 is I remember correctly. It takes about 8 weeks to make a lot of single base nitrocellulose powder, so that is why it is going away, too expensive to make. It takes a lot of time and capitol to soak the wood pulp in vats of nitric acid to start the process.

 

[JWFilips]

It's kind of funny: I have been shooting with a cast boolit buddy over the past year & he is a big user of 4759. (Sings high praises for it and his groups back him up)
I recently got him a present of some new 222 mag brass & a week later he surprised me with a pound of 4759 as a return favor!
Anyway I have been chomping on the bit to try it for years but a dilemma now I got some!...if I start working up loads and run out! Just got the pound
Guess I will stick with RX7 and 2400 for now until i get antsey!

 

[300BLK]

I bought a can of 4759 years ago, maybe an 8oz can? I didn't use much and swore it off because it worked like gravel through my measure. If I don't know how well it works, then I haven't missed anything. I'll "make do" with less desireable powders.

 

[JWFilips]

I'm not a fan of gimmicks but that powder has been around a long time so I do trust it! It is just with out an 8 lb supply in the larder Testing seems fruitless.
Will they bring it back this time around ...well I think not Us CB shooters are a minority in a world that wants Guns band from public use. Will it return again ...I have to say no. The world has changed & it is a different and almost alien place then I used to know! ( sorry mods hope this isn't too political ...if it is you can remove it...thanks)

 

[fiver]

sounds more sentimental than political to me.

I really think we are going to see a whole new slew of powders replacing the old ones.
industrial waste, and import laws world wide are going to affect the whole industry, cheaper base stocks [and their by-products]
plus changing industrial methods are gonna affect our HOBBY.
I have been buying 4064,3031 and a few other old school rifle powders since they are readily available to me right now.
I'd like to see rl-19 on the shelf as I need about 10-15 pounds to see me through, a jug of H-4831 is in my near future I'd like it to be the short cut version but i'll take what I can get.

 

[waco]

I just started playing with SR4759. Heard it was going to be discontinued so I snagged 16LBS online when I could. I love this stuff!!
Works well for me in 30-30, 45-70, and my .308
As far as metering goes? I can only say one thing.....
Thank God for my RCBS Chargemaster 1500!