An intresting load found

[ButlerFord45]

I got a new 45 cal. bullet mould this week.  Fired up the pot and cast a hundred or so and started comparing powder on the shelf with what was in the books.  I ran across a load for a powder I have and have never used in this calibre.
.458" 405 grain bullet and IMR 4350.  The intresting part is that the starting load is the same as the max load,  56 gr compressed.  I'm sure there are many more like that but this is the first time I've run across it in smokeless powder before.  I guess this is one that either works or it doesn't, not much room for tweaking.

BF

[stimpylu32]

Yep , thats one of those loads like BP only without the smoke , the 4350 is a nice slow powder and does well in a large case of the 45/70 .

Not a lot of slam back recoil either , more of a heavy push . 

stimpy

[Graybeard]

The burn rate is really a bit too slow for that application which is why max and min are the same. Such loads normally don't work out too well but ya never know until ya give it a try. I highly recommend IMR3031 for that application.

[Sweetwater]

I did that in my 40-82; compressed a charge of IMR 4350 with a 265grWLN, after reading an article in Rifle Magazine. I did it both with a wad and without a wad. Didn't see why it would need a wad, but what do I know? With a wad actually gave me a pretty good group. Without a wad were everywhere and some keyholing. One thing for sure - it did fill the air with grey smoke!! Velocity(1800fps) was too high for my old rifle(circa1887), so I've chose not to repeat the exercise believing the pressure was probably higher than I should be using.
Yours should be fine in your 45/70, but you will fill the air with smoke AND that's an expensive powder charge compared to the likes of 3031, 4198, H322, etc..... I need to conserve my powder. Economics.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[stimpylu32]

Yep , thats one of those loads like BP only without the smoke , the 4350 is a nice slow powder and does well in a large case of the 45/70 .

Not a lot of slam back recoil either , more of a heavy push . 

stimpy

BF

I have shot the very load you are talking about and when I said no smoke , that was in compairason to the cloud that comes from a case full of true BP , you will get some smoke . also it makes a neat low light muzzle flash , kinda like a army field cannon going off .

As the others have said , its not the best powder choice for the 45/70 but it will do in a pinch if needed .

stimpy

[ButlerFord45]

Stimp, I didn't experience any significant smoke, shot ok, no bench and too wet and nasty to set up the chrony and get serious.  I have my doubts about it being anywhere near the advertised 18500 fps. 
 I understand about 3031, it is the powder I've always used.  So just to try something different, I tried the 4350, next up are 4895, Varget and of course, 3031.

Sweetwater, as far as expense 4350, 4895, 3031, Varget, 332, and 335 are all within 3 grains at max load and 4198 within 8-10 gr.  AND ya' have ta figger' in the entertainment value!!

[Sweetwater]

"Sweetwater, as far as expense 4350, 4895, 3031, Varget, 332, and 335 are all within 3 grains at max load and 4198 within 8-10 gr.  AND ya' have ta figger' in the entertainment value!!"

AMEN!! Ya gotta work in the entertainment value!! PRICELESS!!
In my 40-82, the difference is more like 11-14gr, but we are talking a major league difference here in cases and rifle strength. "I shoulda known!" Maybe why I got a lot of smoke, and you didn't. I mean, I had to wait for that S.Cal. breeze to dissipate the smoke to see the target without walking half way up to it!

You ARE having fun! It is still PRICELESS, and we can still DO IT!

Regards,
Sweetwater

[bilmac]

You wouldn't be from western Nebraska would ya Butler? I shot cowboy matches in Alliance with a man by that name.

[ButlerFord45]

You wouldn't be from western Nebraska would ya Butler? I shot cowboy matches in Alliance with a man by that name.

No, it is a SASS monicar, registered a LONG time ago but I've never made it to a match in Nebraska.  He must be one of them desprit hombre's a lookin to hide behind my sterling name amongst them what don't know me personal.   

[bilmac]

Who was Butler Ford? Maybe that was an Sass name he used too, but that can't be can it, Sass wont allow someone to steal a man's name.