Medium 45-70 Load AA5744

[Marlin39]

Looking to load some low-medium velocity 300gr with 5744, somewhere around 1300 fps from my 16" Trapper. Do lower density loads with 5744 need a filler to reduce the volume for better ignition ?

 

[shoot4fun]

Accurate 5744 load data is found on the Western Powders website.
They show a 300 gr. lead bullet starting load at 25 gr. for 1351FPS from a 20" barrel.
That is from their data for older trapdoors, etc.
To my knowledge they do not recommend needing any filler. I believe they have always marketed that particular powder as not being position sensitive.
Please verify it.
406-234-0422

 

[Marlin39]

Thanks for the reply ! I did read up on their website about it before I bought it, seems to be ideal for what I want to do with it, since it made specific reference to the 45-70 caliber on their website. Sometimes first hand experience reveals things not always found in the manual I've discovered occasionally (thankfully not the hard way !). The "Springfield" pressure level will hopefully yield a good accurate load for my needs without sending me off to the ER...

 

[shoot4fun]

I had a Sharps copy in 45-70 and used reduced loads of AA5744 without any issues.
I also used a somewhat heavier charge with the Encore barrel I owned.
Never used any type filler with either and the 5744 provided good accuracy.

 

[Marlin39]

I noticed IMR 3031 and H4198 get a lot of press also, especially for higher end loads. Not sure I need (or want) to go that hot. What was your max load weight if I might ask ?

 

[Dub]

you can load H4198 pretty mild in the 45-70. it is a great powder for that round. I used 405gr lead in mine, not the 300 that the OP mentioned. I think I used 28 grains and shot it regularly out to 400 yards.

 

[shoot4fun]

I noticed IMR 3031 and H4198 get a lot of press also, especially for higher end loads. Not sure I need (or want) to go that hot. What was your max load weight if I might ask ?

Sorry but it has been too long for me to be able to say. If I had chronographed any I would have Witten it down but I never felt the need.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

5744 is excellent in many cartridges. Most often around 60% case capacity.

 

[Marlin39]

So I loaded 15 rounds at 35.0 grains of 5744 which puts it about in the middle of Hornady's "Springfield" data, about 5 grains under max for the 28K load data. Gotta start somewhere...

 

[GotRDid]

I used 5744 for all loading used in a Super 16 Contender bbl way back when. I still have a pound of it, but the bbl is long gone.
Saw some at Cabela's last week and was astonished that they wanted $40+ per lb.
Any idea why?
GotRDid.

 

[Marlin39]

I dropped $37.99 at Cabela's for a pound. Same price as Varget. Another forum member tipped me about Shooters World Buffalo Rifle powder which Powder Valley sells for $21.99 which is their equivalent of 5744. I'll probably use that once I burn thru the AA.

 

[Cochran]

Only chronographed my Shiloh once. My load is 26.0 of 5744 with a 500 grain lead round nose and no filler. First shot out of clean barrel was about 20 fps faster than the rest. The next nine shots averaged 1260 fps. Extreme spread of 8 fps.
Same charge with a 410 GC was 1305 fps.

 

[Marlin39]

Jeff how long is your barrel ? I just got back from range, bumped up to 36 grain from 35. Recoil was there for sure, have to see how the nudge feels. I seriously doubt I'll go to max 40gr. I managed about 1" at 50 yards but she shoots about 3" high with the 300 Hornady. Fun rifle 'tho....

 

[Cochran]

30”
Here’s a couple 100 yard groups. MVA rear sight and Shaver front sight

 

[Marlin39]

Nice groupings Sir. Alas my barrel is only half as long.....But I bet mines a bit handier in deep woods however ; )

 

[Hoser]

I have used it for reduced loads in 416 Rigby and 470 Nitro.

Works flawless with no filler.

 

[2506]

I used 28 grs AA5744 in a WW case with Fed. 215 primer and my home cast from a Lyman 405 gr flat nose mold with wheel weights with a little tin added that drops at 418 grs. Out of my 28" Sharps copy rifle. Does 1400 fps which is equal to a 70 gr FFG black powder load. This load is super accurate. Remember a freight train don't have to be moving real fast to crash through a bunch of stuff. I once shot a deer at 111 yards that was facing me. By the time I fired and the bullet go there the deer started to put it's head down. Bullet struck it just above eye level in the center of the forehead. The bullet wend down the spine making saw dust. Then into the chest cavity and exited out the left side of the ribs. Then the bullet went on a downward angel and hit the left back leg just above the knee and shot it clean off. The bullet then hit the hard packed sandy soil logging road and looked like a mole hand gone under the ground for about 5 yards. The bullet then came out of the ground and hit a 4" thick pine tree by the side of the road and jerked a palm size piece off the back as it exited. I lost track of where the bullet went from there.

 

[Marlin39]

Wow that is some crazy penetration for sure !! This is my first major rifle caliber so any field results are highly appreciated. I have a tendency to equate high velocity to terminal results so thank you for that insight Sir !

 

[XTR]

A 405gr bullet from a 45-70 will shoot all the way through most anything in N America and in most cases from any direction.

 

[Marlin39]

So how will a 300 gr Hornady JHP at 1500-ish FPS do on a deer at say 100 yards ? I'm working up 1 grain at a time from 35 gr AA5744. I also just bought some Hodgdon H322 since it looked like I may get a decent velocity increase at max "Trap Door" pressures...