Good available powders for downloading

[Wolfdog91]

So this may be a dumb question but I'm getting more and more into the cast bullets world and that involves me need to keep my speeds and pressure down. 2200fps is kind Amy max for alot down to 1200fps for some specifics. That being said alot of the "mainstay" powders used by casters like unique and bullseyes are next to impossible to find right now ( after saying that I'm sure someone will post a link to prove me wrong ) so would like to start looking into other powders that are good candidates for downloading / suppressed stuff. Also what are a characteristics a guy should look at for stuff like this in a powder ? Seems fast ignition and not being super sensitive to low case volume would be some . I see a lot of people using shot gun powders like clays states similar reasons.but then again I see people talking about stick powder like varget being good as well. It's a little confusing for me but I really like trying to understand why stuff works more then just reading a recipe if that makes sense
Thank you in advance !

 

[kenhwind]

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

 

[dantiff2]

Unique has popped up every couple of weeks on Midways USA site. I've had no problems replenishing my stash ; ) Another good one (a buddy of mine loves for cast bullets from all sorts of calibers) is Alliant Blue Dot. Again, it's out of stock now but it pops up at least once a month.
Dan

 

[BigBolt]

A good place has everything

Cast Boolits

This is the dedicated cast bullet forum!

castboolits.gunloads.com

 

[762plinker]

castboolits is the home of modern cast bullet technology
do a search it aint a dot com
(his link above works...read the fine print..castboolits!)

 

[brokeasajoke]

I'm pretty sure @Wolfdog91 is a member over there as well as I, but I believe there is a much broader array of knowledge here.

 

[451whitworth]

What cartridges are you looking to load with cast?

 

[tommeboy]

What cal are you shooting. I use a lot of imr4895 down to 26gr with 1gr of dacron to fill the space in my 308 and 762x54 russian. Otherwise 5744 is a very versatile powder that is able to go low or fast. 2400 is also very good but really hard to find. I have shot my 308 from 1400fps to 2900fps with lead and 4895.

 

[SecondsCount]

H4895 has worked well behind coated and plated bullets for me.

 

[rockhound78]

4759, if you can find any works well. It is similar to 5744. I use it in my 375 H&H and used to use it in my 338wm. AA2495 is useful. All depends on what you are loading.
Join us over at Castboolits.gunloads.com. Wealth of knowledge there.

 

[jsn]

Archived Lyman load data:

1992 data:

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd Edition 198 : Lyman : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

instructions for reloading cast bullet ammunition

archive.org

2004 data:

Lyman Reloading Handbook 48th Edition 2002 Ocr : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

422pg

archive.org

 

[nakneker]

Depends what you’re loading…. For softer loads I use 5744, H4895, Unique, Blue dot, trail boss…. I know H4895 and Trail Boss are akin to unicorn sightings but I thought I’d mention them. I’d offer up more info on the cartridges you intend to load for and the projectiles you want to use as far as weight goes anyways, might help produce more opinions. Below are links to both Unique and Blue dot, not the best pricing but….. If your in Arizona I have an extra 8 pounds of Unique if I can help.

Alliant Blue Dot Powder (4 lb)

Blue Dot Blue Dot was primarily designed for magnum hunting loads in 12ga shotshells ranging from 1-1/4 ounce to 2 ounces of lead shot. Blue Dot is unbelievably elastic and this attribute has allowed numerous different loadings in different gauges and varied weights. Blue Dot encompasses a...

www.ballisticproducts.com

Alliant Unique Powder (8 lb)

Unique A good cold weather powder - cold temperatures do not sap Unique's energy levels. Can produce good velocities in 1-3/16oz loads (great upland ammunition). It is a fluffy powder and, as such, doesn't meter very will and should be weighed out on a scale.

www.ballisticproducts.com

 

[762plinker]

Archived Lyman load data:

1992 data:

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd Edition 198 : Lyman : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

instructions for reloading cast bullet ammunition

archive.org

2004 data:

Lyman Reloading Handbook 48th Edition 2002 Ocr : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

422pg

archive.org

livin' in the past..
go look where we sent you

 

[Wolfdog91]

I'm pretty sure @Wolfdog91 is a member over there as well as I, but I believe there is a much broader array of knowledge here.

This ^^^. I am over on cast boolits but...I prefer here for the most part. Again I'm looking more for the why vs the what. Like why does this power work well for this application,why you can use this better then that and so on. And for the most part I seem to get that more here . No trying to down talk that forum or anything but just is what it is. Bullet casters seem to be much more like by the book recipe cooks and people who are more into this forums side of reloading are more like the kinda people who can tell you exactly why what does what and why you mix this with that ...if that makes sense
Again not trying to be disrespectful or anything just saying what I've noticed

 

[Wolfdog91]

Archived Lyman load data:

1992 data:

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd Edition 198 : Lyman : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

instructions for reloading cast bullet ammunition

archive.org

2004 data:

Lyman Reloading Handbook 48th Edition 2002 Ocr : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

422pg

archive.org

Have both of those download already , do have a question though alot of the loads mention 748. Is that Win 748 ?
Also gotta say I find it odd how many now days try and say you can't push cast past 1800fps mean while they where routinely pushing past 24-2500 back in the day

 

[Wolfdog91]

Depends what you’re loading…. For softer loads I use 5744, H4895, Unique, Blue dot, trail boss…. I know H4895 and Trail Boss are akin to unicorn sightings but I thought I’d mention them. I’d offer up more info on the cartridges you intend to load for and the projectiles you want to use as far as weight goes anyways, might help produce more opinions. Below are links to both Unique and Blue dot, not the best pricing but….. If your in Arizona I have an extra 8 pounds of Unique if I can help.

Alliant Blue Dot Powder (4 lb)

Blue Dot Blue Dot was primarily designed for magnum hunting loads in 12ga shotshells ranging from 1-1/4 ounce to 2 ounces of lead shot. Blue Dot is unbelievably elastic and this attribute has allowed numerous different loadings in different gauges and varied weights. Blue Dot encompasses a...

www.ballisticproducts.com

Alliant Unique Powder (8 lb)

Unique A good cold weather powder - cold temperatures do not sap Unique's energy levels. Can produce good velocities in 1-3/16oz loads (great upland ammunition). It is a fluffy powder and, as such, doesn't meter very will and should be weighed out on a scale.

www.ballisticproducts.com

Thank you very much I'll check these out !

 

[Wolfdog91]

H4895 has worked well behind coated and plated bullets for me.

Any idea to why exactly? Don't think I've ever messed with 4895, it's similar to varget right ?

 

[Wolfdog91]

What cartridges are you looking to load with cast?

.22 hornet,.223,7.62x39,7.62x54r,8mm Mauser,.30-06,308, 45-70, and probably more along with some pistol stuff soon

 

[Wolfdog91]

Awsome I was looking

What cal are you shooting. I use a lot of imr4895 down to 26gr with 1gr of dacron to fill the space in my 308 and 762x54 russian. Otherwise 5744 is a very versatile powder that is able to go low or fast. 2400 is also very good but really hard to find. I have shot my 308 from 1400fps to 2900fps with lead and 4895.

At getting some of both of these and keeping them in stock because they seem to be in about every load list for everything. Especially 5744. Btw what is that stuff ? From all the uses I see it comes soft as possibly a black powder substitute or something. Not like pyrodex though

 

[SecondsCount]

Any idea to why exactly? Don't think I've ever messed with 4895, it's similar to varget right ?

My reason is that Hodgdon has instructions on using H4895 for reduced loads. Do a Google search for H4895 Reduced Load Data and links to the pdf file will come up.

I've also used Trailboss with success.