I was trying to work up a reduced load for my .450 Dakota with a 500 grain bullet so I got off an e-mail to Johan Loubser at Accurate powder requesting a suggested load with Accurate 5744. These guys at Accurate/Ramshot powder are really GREAT! You send them an e-mail, and you usually have an answer by close of business that day. Anyway, here is what he sent me:

"Caliber: .450 Dakota.
Barrel length: 24”
Reduced loads:
Powder: Accurate - 5744.
Bullet weight: 500 grains
Low load: 52.0 (1700-1800 fps)
Mid range load: 58.0 grains (1800 -1900 Fps)
Maximum load: 64.0 grains (2075-2175 fps)"

Now, when you put these loads together in a big case like the .450 Dakota, you know you are making a huge leap of faith. Fifty-eight grains of powder only fills about the bottom third of the case. All you can think is HANGFIRE!!!! However, I tried them today at the range with a standard rifle primer and no filler and they worked perfectly. If you are looking for a reduced load to shoot at the range, this is the stuff. I have tried it in the Dakota, Rigby and .500 Jeffery with great results.

Dave

Dave,

That's good to know, thanks. I might have to try it in the 600 OK and 700 AHR.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I was trying to work up a reduced load for my .450 Dakota with a 500 grain bullet so I got off an e-mail to Johan Loubser at Accurate powder requesting a suggested load with Accurate 5744. These guys at Accurate/Ramshot powder are really GREAT! You send them an e-mail, and you usually have an answer by close of business that day. Anyway, here is what he sent me:

"Caliber: .450 Dakota.
Barrel length: 24”
Reduced loads:
Powder: Accurate - 5744.
Bullet weight: 500 grains
Low load: 52.0 (1700-1800 fps)
Mid range load: 58.0 grains (1800 -1900 Fps)
Maximum load: 64.0 grains (2075-2175 fps)"

Now, when you put these loads together in a big case like the .450 Dakota, you know you are making a huge leap of faith. Fifty-eight grains of powder only fills about the bottom third of the case. All you can think is HANGFIRE!!!! However, I tried them today at the range with a standard rifle primer and no filler and they worked perfectly. If you are looking for a reduced load to shoot at the range, this is the stuff. I have tried it in the Dakota, Rigby and .500 Jeffery with great results.

Dave

The original AA company even listed loads with 5744 for the 50-140-750 Sharps.

Great news, Dave!

Have used a bit of 5744 in 416 Rigby but am switching to Trail Boss. It is bulky and fills the case quite a bit better and seems to burn cleaner.

Dave, AA5744 gets the job done it's just such a dirty powder that I have gotten away from using it. With the hording going on with the powder these days I just want to fondle my R-15 reserves at times. My frugalness with powder is getting ridiculous these days so I might start using the 5744 again. Dave did you say you were using large rifle primers and not magnum? I like to set out a box of F215's and just look at them as well these days, I know, I've lost my mind somewhere down the trail.

Dirk:

I asked Johan about what primer was best with 5744. Here is what he said:

"Dave,

The Federal 215rpimer will be a good choice.
However, 5744 actually ignites so easy that any primer can be used.
Regards
Johan Loubser
Ballistician
Western/Accurate Powders"

I did manage to pick up about 400 CCI 250 magnum primers this week but my supply of Federal 215 magnum primers is getting really low so I just used standard rifle primers with the 5744 so as to conserve my supply of magnum primers. You're right, it does burn pretty dirty. I have unopened five and one pound containers of Reloder 15 so I am fixed with Reloder 15 for a little while. However, like most guys here, I shoot it in a lot of stuff and go through it pretty quickly. I even found a load for the .450 Dakota with Reloder 15 and a 450 grain TSX that looks really promising.

I have been through these component supply problems before the last one during the Clinton administration when they enacted the assault weapon ban. However, I can't remember any of them lasting this long or being this severe. I have been waiting two months for a case trimmer. Everytime the date comes up at Midway they move the date back 30 days or so. I sure hope things loosen up soon. You would think that the supply should loosen up at some point.

Dave

+1 on getting a quick reply from Johan Loubser, Ballistician at Accurate, now Western powders. It's one thing to get a reply from some kid in the email room. It's quite another to get it from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Dave if you have any good loads using 5744 for the 500 Jeffery you're willing to share, I'd love to try them.

Regards,

Chuck

Chuck:

This is the only one I have from Accurate but I think I already passed it on to you:

Caliber: .500 Jeffery - Rimless.
Barrel length: 24”
Reduced loads:
Powder: Accurate – 5744.
Bullet weight: 575-600 grains.
Start load: 42.0 grains (1300 - 1400 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 68.0 grains (1900 – 2000 Ft/p/sec).

I know you wanted to use a Barnes bullet. I don't know if this load will work with the Barnes bullets. Drop and e-mail to Johan. He can help you out.

Dave

Thanks Dave, you did I checked my 500 Jeffery load word document. Sorry, I'm beginning to get old enough to get CRS Syndrome (Can't Remember Sh*t). The good news as my sarcastic younger son tells me, is that I can watch the same movie a month later and the ending is still a surprise lol ...

Regards

Chuck

/

I enjoy economical plinking loads with cast bullets for big bores. I've used 5744 in 375, 416, 458 & 500 bores with good consistent results, no need for a filler.

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
AA5744 gets the job done it's just such a dirty powder that I have gotten away from using it.

+1, particularly in doubles. The unfired powder or whatever the stuff is gets all in the action and it is a real mess.

I use 5744 in cast projectile loads in 9,3x62, .375 H&H, .376/.416 Steyr Improved, .458 AR, and .470 NE. Works fine.

Generally use a Winchester Large Rifle primer as I have a bunch of those left in stock.

Yes,
It is good stuff for 1 to 2 MOA loads from squib to midrange power.

The apparently defunct Accuload III is very good with generating load data for 5744, reduced loads and cowboy loads, generally.

In some cartridges with max loading, it may produce max velocities and best possible accuracy too.

It did work well at 1600 fps with .395/340gr GSC HV in the necked down .416 Rigby, .395 Tatanka ... and Dacron filler ...

I don't do filler with 5744 anymore.
Kids, don't try that at home!

Ought to be a humdinger powder for 12GaFH ... except for the no-filler part.
I may try that after RL-17.

Can't find any here in Kodiak but have been playing with SR4759 in my .600OK.

Easy to get .458Lott performance but the SR appears position sensitive (with the occasionaly light hangfire) so I'm not too excited about it.

I've used 5744 in the .500a2, .600Ok, .500AHR and even in the .50BMG. Never had any problems. In the .500a2 about 57grs and a 750Amax provided great fun. Its not position sensitive , Needs No Fillers and never had a hangfire.-Rob

I love it,its one of my Favorite powders for anything!