powder choice

[forester47]

Is there a consensus favorite smokeless powder choice out there or is availability more of a key? It seems you can get the same velocity with any of them depending on weight used so what's the difference? What about Lil Gun? Don't see a whole lot of people using it, but it should be easier to find than some (it is here anyway). It is a little overwhelming with the choices. Also, are any of you using Lee dippers for measurement? I don't see myself getting buying a scale for weight measurements. Really don't want to have to buy several powders to try. Thanks for your help.

[RandyWakeman]

Is there a consensus favorite smokeless powder choice out there or is availability more of a key?

Naturally, you are referring to the "Savage 10ML Only."

Muzzleloading does not seem to be the place for universal favorites, but my clear favorite is Accurate Arms 5744. One pound of it will give you over 160 shots. I've never had a single misfire, it is has given me 1" or better groups with many, many saboted bullets, and it works fine with the Lee powder dippers.

[Mel Taylor]

I've been shooting Savages since December 2000 and I'm with Randy on his choice of powders. 5744 ignites easily, is forgiving of minor variations in loads, seems to produce great groups with almost any bullet of .451 diameter or larger and you really have to work to get it to misfire.

Believe it or not, my load for plinking and jackrabbits is 45 grains of 5744 behind a .457 roundball in an ordinary MMP sabot. I have no idea of the velocity but I can consistently knock off beer cans at a hundred yards with that load.

I don't care for the Lee loaders. Instead I use a BP measure from Bass Pro that is calibrated in five grain increments. The Item number and description is 38-861-361-00   ADJUSTABLE POWDER MEASURE   5-120 GRAIN. They cost about ten dollars plus shipping. I believe you can find them at:
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=18450&hvarTarget=search.

I buy Strait-Line brand chalk line chalk in plastic bottles from a local hardware store for a little over a dollar, dump the chalk out and use the bottle for a powder flask. With a little practice it becomes second nature to pour so as to produce very close to the same amount of powder each time.  

I've found that the weight of the measured 5744 is about 5 grains less than the indicated volume so that a 50 grain measured load weighs about 45 grains.

If I'm seriously shooting for groups I weigh my loads. Otherwise I measure them. I think a scale would be a good investment though just so you can check the weight of measured charges from time to time.

 For a starting load, I would recommend 45 to 48 grains of 5744 behind a .452 diameter 250 or 300 grain bullet (Hornady XTP's are cheap and readily available most places) in an MMP or Hornady HP sabot.

Mel



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[RandyWakeman]

For a starting load, I would recommend 45 to 48 grains of 5744 behind a .452 diameter 250 or 300 grain bullet (Hornady XTP's are cheap and readily available most places) in an MMP or Hornady HP sabot.

Mel

Mel,

I agree with everything you've said-- but, feel strangely compelled to mention that your "starting load" is more than adequate to take most anything on hooves in North America inside 200 yards. :eek:

Just 42 - 43 grains of 5744 is more than enough for just about anything.

[Mel Taylor]

OOPS…Thanks Randy. It was late when I typed that last night and it looks like my fingers did a little unauthorized walking. I meant to say "42 to 45 grains of 5744, etc."

I agree that 42 - 43 grains of 5744 is adequate for almost any game short of a scorned woman or a jealous husband but both my rifles seem to get their best accuracy around 45 or 46 grains with both the XTP and the SST (blem) bullets.