On another forum some folks had talked with Hodgon and were told that SR4759 is made by General Dynamics in Canada who raised their prices out the roof because 4759 uses OLD OUTDATED technology in its manufacture. On this other forum folks are talking about using RL7 in its place with cast . Maybe Alliant could supply some data with Jacketed in some of the steel busting calibers. And its made in Va. ;)
A trait of 4759 is its bulkiness. That was / is desired in cartridges that were of the black powder era and as people began loading using the smokeless powders found they now had poor load density. 4759 helped alleviate this situation. So it is not just the burn rate that is being lost it is the ability to absorb volume. rp
I have served as assistant match director, Southern Silhouette club, 1980s. Also, the Griffin Gun Club for Silhouette during the 1990s, to about 2005. For a short period I authored the ''Cast Bullet'' section of The IHMSA News. Joined IHMSA March 1979.
RP is 100% correct about the load density. It's not just the burn rate.
NRA Patron member
NRA Endowment Member
NRA Life Member
IHMSA life member
NBRSA member
IHMSA VP (past)
IHMSA President (past)
32 degree Scottish Rite
3rd. deg. Master Mason
Don't doubt that it is a great powder for the old cartridges but it also works great in my 6.5BR and 30DC. I hope I can stock up this coming year.
Lynn Shultz
IHMSA #15692 since 1980
Past Match Director Logan Handgun Association
Current VP Logan Handgun Association
NRA Member
United States Air Force Veteran
Retired USAF Civil Servant (47 years)
937-407-4885
It works GREAT in my Smith .500's, too! In fact, it is the most accurate powder
I have tried in it. I shoot 23 grains of SR-4759, behind the RCBS 400 grain plain
base bullet, and I have shot clover-leaf groups at 50 yards with it. It is not a hard
kicking load, either. I havent chronographed them yet, but I'm estimating velocity
at around 1000-1100 fps. I think it will handle any wild game I try to hunt in Texas
at any rate.
Like was stated above, the bulk factor is what makes SR-4759 so attractive. There are
other propellants that can be used for reduced loads, but all of em, except for Trail Boss
are not bulky enough to fill the case correctly and then you can get into some dangerous
areas, like if the whole charge ignites at the same time, and I dont wanta get into putting
fillers, like cream of wheat into the case, either.
AA5744 works like SR4759 and is not position sensitive. That is my go to powder in my 260 Remington Striker. Just another powder to stock up (hoard).
Lynn Shultz
IHMSA #15692 since 1980
Past Match Director Logan Handgun Association
Current VP Logan Handgun Association
NRA Member
United States Air Force Veteran
Retired USAF Civil Servant (47 years)
937-407-4885
I emailed Dave Campbell at Hodgdon too and confirmed that it will no longer be made. Then I read "somewhere" that there would be one more run of it. Of course finding ANY powder these days is tough, never mind favorites!