5744

[Mitty38]

Ok was at the club talking about hunting rounds with the 311284.
4064 and 2400 of course came up with gas check hunting loads in mind.
But one of the guys said, since he started with P C he has found 5744 has worked well for him with heavier lead bullets, PCD and Gas Checked. Both in the.308 and the 06.
Then the 2400 guys kinda trumped him out of the conversation.Him being a man of little words.

Thing I am wondering is, does 5744 give any distinct advantages when it comes to a heavier bullet for especially for a utilitarian use. And especially over 2400

 

[Brad]

5744 does well with cast, similar to 4759. Often can give a bit more velocity than 2400.

I have one issue with 5744. It is the most expensive powder around. I can’t see paying an extra 10 bucks a pound.

 

[Mitty38]

I was considering buying a pound of one or the other just to work up a 1 to 200 yard, hog shoulder busting, killing load, then just load it all gone after giving my bullets 6 months or so to stabilize. Then a resize. Kind of a special purpose round, I can just have around for when I need it.

 

[462]

I don't have a chronograph so can't speak to velocity differences, but I've not found 5744 to be more accurate than powders that are substantially less expensive. However, accuracy is my goal, not hunting velocity.

If you lived nearby I'd give you the mostly full one-pound can. Oh, and what's left of the SR 4759 one-pounder.

 

[Ian]

Filthy, nasty, inconsistent stuff until you get the pressure up. Reloder 7 runs circles around it in all applications. 1680 is another one that needs hellfire pressures to burn better than wet rags.

 

[Brad]

I can say that RE 7 is an excellent powder.

 

[462]

Filthy, nasty, inconsistent stuff until you get the pressure up.

Forgot about all the leftover itty-bitty hay bales.

 

[Brad]

And after figuring in the granules that’s don’t burn the cost goes up even more!
For 35-40 bucks a pound it ought to burn clean as hell

 

[Mitty38]

Was looking a the Lyman cast data, seems like they think it is the best thing going for 30 calibers. But I did noticed loads they had highlighted are all at the top of the pressure curve

 

[Bill]

I've used it a lot since 4759 died, seems to be good, the powder zombies don't seem to hurt anything, I don't see many in the smaller bores, it meters like rip-rap, but so did 4759, I've been using it at around 1500 fps in the mil-surp matches, a lot of the guys are even using it with nozler custom comps with 25 to 30 grains being the most favored charge which gets closer to 2000 fps too expensive for me, I've even started shooting some plain based loads

Bill

 

[Brad]

Ah Lyman, the same people who say micro groove barrels won’t shoot well above 1600 fps and only then with really hard bullets.

I use Lyman data but ignore their suggestions. Why would I use a .429 or .430 sizer for my SRH with .432 throats? OK, it would keep me up on current lead removal methods.

 

[Spindrift]

A problem with comparing notes concerning 5744, is.... people are comparing different powders. Accurate started out as a distributor, not a manufacturer. «5744» has been a lot of things, from different corners of the world:

- a surplus powder, used in the process that culiminated in the creation of 5.56 Nato
- a South-African powder
- a Israeli powder
- a Czech powder
- a Belgian powder, and now:
- Canadian?

So, at least 6 different powders, from different plants.
I have tried the Czech version, currently known as Lovex D060 (or «Buffalo», I think). I was not happy, for the reasons stated above.

I think the author of the Lyman book has used the original, surplus powder. I have one of his articles somewhere.

 

[Rick]

Back in the early 80's I was using 5744 in the 7 TCU 10" Contender and it was the best thing since sliced bread. Was Israeli surplus powder sold by Accurate. Then the surplus ran out and Accurate had it made elsewhere, dunno where. Didn't care where, the new powder was even worse than the surplus was good, haven't touched 5744 since.

 

[Axman]

I’ll have to look at mine to see mfg.
Bought 2 8lb jugs off of a friend of mine, $80.00 per jug.
It’s labeled MP 5744
Shot a lot of 50-70 in a SSK 14” contender.
Checked 5 shots once with chronograph and iirc spread was 5 FPS and under 1” at 25yds with open sights.
Load was 28 grs and a 465 LBT

 

[Mitty38]

Learning here.
Did not know that this powder had such a diverse history. Good to know these things.
So, If i do decide to put this powder on my plate. I need to keep in mind that the loading data and others recommendations may be off a bit more then normal, depending on where it was made. Formula changes, and so forth.

To recap.......
So what I understand so far. is that if someone were to start using this powder. Thy should individually weigh charges. Double check load data. Accuracy is on the hot side, and be ready to clean your barrel.
Its uses are somewhat limited. But it can give a great punch, while getting close to stellar accuracy, if you find just the right node. Oh, and be willing to spend a bit more then usual.
Check me if I am wrong.

 

[462]

Emmett,
As Spindrift mentioned, if your Lyman cast bullet handbook is the 4th edition, the author and creator of much of the data is a very staunch 5744 advocate, and he didn't use the same powder that is being marketed today.
I think his vast supply is marked XMP 5744.

 

[Mitty38]

Emmett,
As Spindrift mentioned, if your Lyman cast bullet handbook is the 4th edition, the author and creator of much of the data is a very staunch 5744 advocate, and he didn't use the same powder that is being marketed today.
I think his vast supply is marked XMP 5744.

Yes, it is the 4th edition.

 

[Bill]

Your pretty close Mitty, except that I think it's very versatile, I've shot it in every thing from 22 hornet to 45-70 and the fouling everyone talks about is very light and fluffy, kinda like ash, I have never tried to max it out so I don't know about the hi speed stuff. I think it's a little like unique in that it shoots ok in anything but is real good in a few things

Bill

 

[Mitty38]

Let me throw you guys a curve. Might be a mute question, but....Where does H110 fall into the 30 caliber world, compared to 5744? Or are they just 2 totally different animals??

 

[Brad]

Totally different.
H110 on the whole abhors a reduced load. It can do some weird things.
5744 may not burn clean with low charges but it isn’t gonna get goofy on you