IMR PB

[Spindrift]

It’s one of Gear’s rules, isn’t it? That about your favourite powder being discontinued?

One of the first powders I got when I started bullet casting about 5 years ago, was IMR PB. My local dealer had some, it was listed in the Lyman book. I thought it would be a good powder for me to learn how to use shotgun powder in bottleneck rifle cartridges (having only reloaded full-power jacketed bullets before).

I never got around to using it much, as other powders held my attention at the time. Then I learned it was discontinued, and the single bottle I had would be the only. I have been reluctant to try it, as it would be horribly frustrating if it proved to be some sort of super-powder.

Today, I tried it a little in my Howa .308. 8,5grs, behind a PB NOE311-179 (#315). It produced a 0,65MOA 5-shot group at 100m. Which is (I think) the best group I have shot with this bullet/rifle combo.

Well, well. Smok’em while you’ve got’em, I say

 

[462]

It wasn't till I was on a short vacation to Cle Elum, Washington, that I saw my first can of 4759. It was the last can the store had, so I bought it. Shortly afterward, it, too, was discontinued. It hasn't been particularly accurate, at least in the cartridges and rifles I've tested. I need to look up its best performance and use up the remainder of the can.
Or feed the roses.

 

[waco]

I’ve had good luck with SR4759 in 30-30, .308, and 45-70. I thought I saw Winelover post some killer groups in 44 mag using this powder. I bought two eight pound jugs when I heard it was being discontinued. Still have about 12-13 of it left.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have used it exclusively in the 32/20. No real reason besides it worked so well!!

awesome group!!!!

CW

 

[462]

Okay, looked in the load book, and 4759 did work pretty well with Lyman's 405-grain 457193 and the rolling block Buffalo Rifle.
I'll have to load some test rounds and give them another go.

 

[waco]

I had a real nice load with a 405 from an Accurate mold but IMR3031 edged 4759 out, but only by a bit.

 

[Ian]

My first thought was "oh no......"

PB is (was) unique stuff in that the method of controlling burn rate is the physical structure of the base itself, not deterrent coatings. Tbis feature made the powder extremely easy to light and very consistent in burn rate. I found it slightly position-sensitive in larger cases but not terribly so. The consistency and accuracy is what I really liked. My principle use for it was handgun with cast bullets and yes, it was one of several inspirations for that particular Gear's Rule even though I think IMR was discontinuing it even before Hodgdon took them over. Ball-C is another.

 

[CZ93X62]

I have used it exclusively in the 32/20. No real reason besides it worked so well!!

awesome group!!!!

CW

Are you certain you don't mean "SR-4756? 4756 has done yeoman work in the 32/20 revolver rounds for me since about forever. All 17 of its users nationwide were saddened to see it be discontinued.

 

[RicinYakima]

I use 475 six for revolvers and 475 nine for rifle.

 

[fiver]

P/B was the powder Federal used in their paper hulls with the old 2 piece [12C-1] wad.
when they discontinued the wad the powder wasn't gonna be far behind.

luckily there are some overlapping powders.
green-dot shares grain for grain load data with P/B so I doubt you can get a whole lot closer than that,
international clays also over laps it.

 

[CZ93X62]

I snagged a couple pounds of PB at a Nevada hardware store a few years ago. I had seen it listed in load data for standard-pressure 38 Special and 45 ACP applications, so I brought it home for grins. It does good work in those calibers with castings, and breaks up the monotony of WW-231 and Red Dot in that loading niche.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Are you certain you don't mean "SR-4756? 4756 has done yeoman work in the 32/20 revolver rounds for me since about forever. All 17 of its users nationwide were saddened to see it be discontinued.

Nope (Im sure that I have tried it!) But Im 100% its PB and its just a splash under a 115g bullet. Probably not 800 fps. Kills bunnies and squirrels DRT.

I like and use most of the SR line of powders.
CW

 

[Ian]

Allen and CW, what we have here is an undefined subject. "It" meant PB (subject of the thread, assumption), not the SR powder (from the post immediately preceding....it.)

 

[CZ93X62]

Who's on First, What's on 2nd......aight, sorry about that. Given that PB and SR-4756 are in the mix, it IS kinda like debating the merits (!) of 8-track vs. cassette tape hiss.

 

[fiver]

but we like to throw in the merits of CRO-2 tape and 3 second pauses so the upgraded equipment with auto reverse play can jump right to your favorite songs.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Allen and CW, what we have here is an undefined subject. "It" meant PB (subject of the thread, assumption), not the SR powder (from the post immediately preceding....it.)

I didnt see any confusion... The thread title is PB powder... I dont see the need to quote the OP's posting unless the thread is severly derailed.

My first reply was how I use PB in my 32/20.

My "IT" quote was to addresses the subject of the thread... PB.

My second post was answering CZ, So I quoted txt by CZ... Was I sure I knew what powder was in question. (Not sure where the question came from.) But I answered clarifying "it" was indeed PBPowder.

What did I miss??

CW

 

[fiver]

i think it was the 56 and 59 thing.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Green / Grey.

 

[CZ93X62]

Yeah. My bad.

 

[Glen]

I love PB -- very clean burning, very easy to light, excellent accuracy in .38 Special, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt (I need to try it in .44 Special). I know it's been discontinued, but I lucked into a very nice stash of it a couple of years ago, so I'm pretty well set.