I am hoping that someone can suggest a mild plinking load using the above for my Ruger #1 in 458 Winchester. I have found a number of similar weight cast bullet receipes but am unsure if a jacketed bullet can be subsistuted. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
AA 5744 and 405 grn Reminton for 458
- Thread starter hiredgun
- Start date
I have been using AA5744 for years in my .458 Ruger #1 tropical
For plinking I have been favoring the 300gr jacketed bullets designed for the 45/70 and 50Gr of AA5744
The AA manual lists 400Gr lead w/ 51Gr AA5744 for about 2150fps but prefer the jacketed 300gr
There is a tiny bit of unburned powder even with Fed215M primer
For plinking I have been favoring the 300gr jacketed bullets designed for the 45/70 and 50Gr of AA5744
The AA manual lists 400Gr lead w/ 51Gr AA5744 for about 2150fps but prefer the jacketed 300gr
There is a tiny bit of unburned powder even with Fed215M primer
If you send AA tech help staff an e-mail you will get lots of good information on using this powder.
Their guideline for using it with any bullet is to determine where the base of the bullet sits in the case when loaded. Fill the case with 5744 powder to that base line. Remove the powder and weigh it. 60% of that weight is near max for that powder. It can be reduced significantly without problems.
I have gone as low as 8 grains with a .350 round ball in my 348Win with excellent 25 yard accuracy. Similarly 10-12 grains moves a .460 round ball accurately from a 45-70. These loads were arrived at by starting higher (accuracy sucked but I had no idea where accuracy could be obtained with so little bearing surface of the ball in the bore) and reducing the charge until best accuracy was obtained. Very quiet and great small game /plinking loads. Similar to a 22lr in terms of report. 5 balls in 5/8" at 25 yards is typical of both cartridges. If you do this be sure to count your hits on the paper or examine the bore after every shot until you are satisfied you are not leaving a ball stuck in the bore. Never occured for me but the potential is there if you go too low.
Jacketed bullets will develop higher pressure than equivalent weight bullets in lead. For the most part data with lead bullets will be a good guideline provided you determine the 60% charge with the bullets you use and check that against the data and don't exceed the 60% level.
This powder allows a lot of leeway for experimenting below the 60% guideline.
Their guideline for using it with any bullet is to determine where the base of the bullet sits in the case when loaded. Fill the case with 5744 powder to that base line. Remove the powder and weigh it. 60% of that weight is near max for that powder. It can be reduced significantly without problems.
I have gone as low as 8 grains with a .350 round ball in my 348Win with excellent 25 yard accuracy. Similarly 10-12 grains moves a .460 round ball accurately from a 45-70. These loads were arrived at by starting higher (accuracy sucked but I had no idea where accuracy could be obtained with so little bearing surface of the ball in the bore) and reducing the charge until best accuracy was obtained. Very quiet and great small game /plinking loads. Similar to a 22lr in terms of report. 5 balls in 5/8" at 25 yards is typical of both cartridges. If you do this be sure to count your hits on the paper or examine the bore after every shot until you are satisfied you are not leaving a ball stuck in the bore. Never occured for me but the potential is there if you go too low.
Jacketed bullets will develop higher pressure than equivalent weight bullets in lead. For the most part data with lead bullets will be a good guideline provided you determine the 60% charge with the bullets you use and check that against the data and don't exceed the 60% level.
This powder allows a lot of leeway for experimenting below the 60% guideline.
