SR 4759 Powder with 115 gr cast bullets

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  • Last Post 05 January 2014
rwsmith posted this 10 May 2013

I decided that I like SR 4759 powder from shooting 110/115 grain jacketed plinkers at around 1800 fps from a 30-06.  The shortage of everything prompted me to get buy some cast bullets, 115 grain RN, plain hard lead (no gas checks).  I'd like to keep the loads under 1800 fps as per Penn Bullets velocity limit.  I ain't cheap or lazy, I've got reloading books and use them but this is new to me and I need to find where some published data is on this load.  Can someone point me in the right direction

 A member on the Smith and Wesson forum pointed me to the CBA.  I love these light loads and my family especially appreciates them.  I've got 1000 bullets and a pound of SR4759 with no place to go. :(

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CB posted this 10 May 2013

The accurate load for most CBA match shooters is 18grs of 4759 with a 170-200gr cb. I'm sure you could start at 14grs and find a happy spot somewhere up to 18grs........Dan

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tturner53 posted this 10 May 2013

Welcome! There's a lot of ins and outs with these things. Try for more like 1,000-1,100fps to start. 1800 fps is going to be problematic with a plain base. Read up here by searching 'plain base' etc. Good luck

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TRKakaCatWhisperer posted this 11 May 2013

OK, so I have a bunch of 4759 and a 200gr Saeco #308 plain based bullet with the .30-06 in a Winchester High Wall. Recommended range of loads?

I'm looking for ACCURACY not for hunting (well maybe prairie dogs).

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rwsmith posted this 11 May 2013

Thanks!  At least now;) I know what baseball park I'm playing in@

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rwsmith posted this 11 May 2013

This is more complex than I figured.  The 115 grain jacketed bullets work great with 4759 at about 1800 fps.  I was hoping a slight change in powder weight would be the only change, but I see that there are more variables.  I'll read around and be learning more about cast bullets.  Thanks for the help.

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fa38 posted this 11 May 2013

You could try light loads of Bulls Eye, 700x, Red Dot or Green Dot. I would think starting at about 6 grains and working up slowly for accuracy.  

1800 fps is more than a bit optimistic and sounds like a sure way to lead up the barrel with plain based bullets.  1200 to 1450 is more realistic.

Try to find some posts on loads by Ed Harris for lighter plain based bullets and shotgun powders.

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Chargar posted this 11 May 2013

When I got into cast bullet shooting in rifles in the late 50's, 4759 was considered the standard powder for that use. The powder was developed for the military to use in 30-06 frangible ammo. This employed a bullet that would break up on impact and fired at lower velocities. The bulk of 4759 made i good for this purpose. This ammo was developed to train air to air gunners without shooting down the other plane, but some did go down anyway I understand.

This is a long way around the tree to tell you, the powder should do a fine job for you. I have used allot of it over the years.

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CB posted this 11 May 2013

Uh, sorry rwsmith. I over looked the plain-base part. You'll have to stay down around 1,000 - 1,200fps to avoid leading. I never went that low with 4749, but maybe you could try 8-10grs. I know 7-8grs of Unique would work and so would the powders fa38 suggested.........

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rwsmith posted this 16 October 2013

Thanks so much guys.  I'm ready to try this, keep your fingers crossed.:)

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Harp posted this 05 January 2014

Found 16 grains of 4759 to give 1475 fps as per NRA reloading manual. I have more success in 308 with this load, but the 3006 should do well with it also.

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