extex
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I know a guy with a few pounds to sell. Does anybody have experience with or recommend using it in practice loads for 357m, 41m or 44m ? I see SR-4759 listed in some of my old reloading manuals.
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SR-4759 powder
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rockquarry
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4759 was known primarily as a cast bullet rifle powder and I used it for that for years. I never tried it in a handgun cartridge and it wouldn't be my first choice. However, it may work fine. 4756, on the other hand, was a popular handgun powder.
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I use it.....
I use it for reduced rifle loads.
I use it for reduced rifle loads.
pantannojack
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rockquarry
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Many complained when SR4759 went out of production that it couldn't be replaced by any other powder. Such a statement may be true in rare instances when a powder is discontinued, but today we have such an abundance (actually too many, but that's marketing) that accuracy or other performance duplication is all but guaranteed. That's provided one is willing to do some experimentation.
I have more work to do, but it looks like AA5744 will easily replace SR4759 in my favorite .30-06 cast bullet load. Same for a .308 cast bullet load, but Reloder 7 also looks promising in the .308.
I haven't tried SR4759 in a handgun cartridge, but suspect accuracy will be mediocre and there will be a good bit of unburned powder. Hope I'm wrong; maybe someone with adequate experience in this area can comment.
venomballistics
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SR 4756 and SR 4759 are different animals... or were.
I'm not sure either are made anymore unfortunately.
4756 could make some serious things happen in the 38 special and certain 12 ga loads
IMR SR4759 is similar in burn rate to H110, 2400, & 4227. Useful for the magnum loads, too slow a powder for light and medium loads in the magnums.. The previous unburnt powder comment is overcome by a good tight crimp, which is required for H110, 2400, & 4227.
rockquarry
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Experiences vary. I've yet to see that a "good, tight crimp" has anything to do with powder burn. Magnum primers may have some effect. Some powders aren't always compatible with suggested loads. However, if there is remaining powder residue and it caused no adverse effect on velocity and accuracy is good, I'm all for it. A slightly dirty gun is no more difficult to clean than a very dirty one.
You can use this powder with a 357 magnum load and even a 38 special
if you want reduced loads with a light recoil.
I have also used it in my 22-250 cases.
if you want reduced loads with a light recoil.
I have also used it in my 22-250 cases.
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kreuzlover
Member
I use SR4759 for my 500 S & W loads, and when they discontinued it, I bought all I could find! As I shoot the 500
only every now & then, the amount I have (about 12 pounds) will
last me the rest of my life!
only every now & then, the amount I have (about 12 pounds) will
last me the rest of my life!
I use it for cast bullet loads in 30-06, 30-40 Krag, 8x57, etc.
Very bulky powder so the chance of a double charge is reduced. But don't let your normal safe reloading practices slip..
It's was discontinued and brought back to market twice after it's initial run if I remember correctly. The demand was that strong from the rifle shooters for this particular powder.
But after it's 3rd time on the shelves, it seems to have been discontinued once again.
With the number of snappy named propellants out there now and the aging, dwindling population of users of the old powder, I doubt it'll be back again.
Could be wrong though
Very bulky powder so the chance of a double charge is reduced. But don't let your normal safe reloading practices slip..
It's was discontinued and brought back to market twice after it's initial run if I remember correctly. The demand was that strong from the rifle shooters for this particular powder.
But after it's 3rd time on the shelves, it seems to have been discontinued once again.
With the number of snappy named propellants out there now and the aging, dwindling population of users of the old powder, I doubt it'll be back again.
Could be wrong though
rockquarry
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I think you're right. Seems like they dropped 4759 about 1965 and waited several years to begin production again. Then it was dropped again a few years later. The most recent discontinuance was six or eight years ago, I believe. I'll bet they don't reintroduce it this time. The old traditional cast bullet rifle shooters are dying off and the demand is minimal nowadays.
SR 4759 is a GREAT powder. It is unequaled for reduced cast bullet loads in bottleneck cartridges. This is significant as it makes all those bolt action hunting rifles into year-round practical firearms for range use, practice, etc.
It is not suited or intended for pistol cartridges.
But, it does work well in Thompson/Center Contender 10" & 14" pistol barrels chambered for large bottleneck cartridges like 30-30, 35 Remington, 357 Herrett, 30 Herrett, etc. That is, when used with cast bullets.
Back in the early 1970s, Handloader Magazine started a campaign to get readers to write and call DuPont in order to reintroduce SR 4759. It worked! SR 4759 stayed in production until DuPont sold their powder manufacturing concern and the IMR corporation was created.
It is very sad that there is not more interest in serious cast bullet shooting and all the nice, old single shot rifles, to justify its return.
Maybe they should call it "Tactical 4759" and put a picture of some joker blasting away with his "fantastic plastic"?
I bet it would sell like hotcakes!
It is not suited or intended for pistol cartridges.
But, it does work well in Thompson/Center Contender 10" & 14" pistol barrels chambered for large bottleneck cartridges like 30-30, 35 Remington, 357 Herrett, 30 Herrett, etc. That is, when used with cast bullets.
Back in the early 1970s, Handloader Magazine started a campaign to get readers to write and call DuPont in order to reintroduce SR 4759. It worked! SR 4759 stayed in production until DuPont sold their powder manufacturing concern and the IMR corporation was created.
It is very sad that there is not more interest in serious cast bullet shooting and all the nice, old single shot rifles, to justify its return.
Maybe they should call it "Tactical 4759" and put a picture of some joker blasting away with his "fantastic plastic"?
I bet it would sell like hotcakes!Lou_NC
Member
I believe SR4759 was also a recommended smokeless powder for the savage muzzleloader.
rockquarry
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SR 4759 is a GREAT powder. It is unequaled for reduced cast bullet loads in bottleneck cartridges. This is significant as it makes all those bolt action hunting rifles into year-round practical firearms for range use, practice, etc.
It is not suited or intended for pistol cartridges.
But, it does work well in Thompson/Center Contender 10" & 14" pistol barrels chambered for large bottleneck cartridges like 30-30, 35 Remington, 357 Herrett, 30 Herrett, etc. That is, when used with cast bullets.
Back in the early 1970s, Handloader Magazine started a campaign to get readers to write and call DuPont in order to reintroduce SR 4759. It worked! SR 4759 stayed in production until DuPont sold their powder manufacturing concern and the IMR corporation was created.
It is very sad that there is not more interest in serious cast bullet shooting and all the nice, old single shot rifles, to justify its return.
Maybe they should call it "Tactical 4759" and put a picture of some joker blasting away with his "fantastic plastic"?
The newschoolers, upgraders, and YouTubers have little use for anything that's been around for a while, even if you put a "tactical" label on it. Pretty sure we've seen the last of 4759, but it can be replaced with a little experimentation. As for cast bullet rifle shooters, they are seldom seen at my gun club and it's probably the same story elsewhere.
Marksman
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I used SR 4759 in cast bullet loads for my .35 Whelen for years, when it was discontinued I switched to Unique which I was using in 9mm & .44 Magnum so I always have plenty on hand.
DWalt
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As stated, powders in that burning range are best for cast lead bullets in bottleneck cases. Also for Magnum-level handgun loads.
Green Frog
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As a participant in the Schuetzen game I landed on 4759 for my 32-40 loads in my high walls. It was my long time powder of choice with the only drawback being it’s difficulty of measuring by volume... it measures like little sticks and twigs! As it disappeared for the last time, I squirreled away about 10-12 lb and at my age and limited amount of shooting, that should last my lifetime. That said, I’ve heard it could be used in handgun loads, but with all the alternatives available, I’ll save mine for rifles! YMMV.
Froggie
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