AA 5744 in the .50-95

[ndnchf]

I'm a pretty hardcore black powder shooter.  But giving due consideration to the passing fad of smokeless powder, I sent an e-mail to Accurate Arms asking for a load recommendation for the .50-95.  I have had a couple pounds of the stuff sitting on a shelf for many years and thought that I should give it a try.  I requested data specifically for the Uberti 1876 rifle for both a Lyman 512137 - 300gr. and Lyman 515139 - 343gr. bullet.  I also indicated I wanted to stay within black powder ballistics.  Below is their ballistician's response.  Their max loads seem a bit hot for my liking, but the "low" loads seem like a good starting point and well within black powder ballistics.


We suggest the following.

Caliber:      .50-95 Winchester

Case capacity:      5.920cc /91.2grs H2O.

Case length:         1.920"

Barrel length:      30"

Pressure spec:     <25000psi

Powder:           Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight:  300 grains.

Low load: 30.0 (1300 – 1400 Fps)

Mid load: 38.0 grains (1650 – 1750 ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 48.0 grains (1900 – 2000 Ft/p/sec).

Bullet weight:  343 grains.

Low load: 26.5 (1200 – 1300 Fps)

Mid load: 35.0 grains (1450 – 1550 ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 45.0 grains (1750 – 1850 Ft/p/sec).



NOTES:

It' important to note that SAFETY is our prime concern therefore we strongly recommend.

1.        Caution re A-5744: Take care that double charging does not occur! Especially at low load levels.

2.        TO ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM "START" LOAD and develop loads in 2% increments towards the MAXIMUM load.

3.        If possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.





Regards

Johan Loubser

Ballistician

Ramshot/Accurate Powders

Tel: (406) 234 04 22  email: johan@ramshot.com

Western Powders Inc -- Miles City – Montana.

[Dirty Brass]

Thanks for the info ndnchf. I contacted John awhile back about some loads for my 1886 45/90 model with A-2495, and the top end loads were quite stout. I think we probably `er on the side of caution with regards to pressures (and rightly so!) when it comes to the limits of our older model guns, whereas these guys (ballisticians) supposedly have access to limitless testing, so I used the loads for deerhunting anyhow. Granted the '86 is a bit stronger gun, but my point being that the tech's are pretty careful when handing out load data (I hope!)   

[ndnchf]

DB,

I'm sure you are right about the techs being careful with their advice.  I'm quite happy shooting BP, but on occasion i'd like to try a little smokeless just to see what it can do accuracy-wise.  I'm not interested in max velocity - 1400-1500fps max with the 300gr. bullet should be fine for punching paper.

[Grizzly Adams]

Caliber:      .50-95 Winchester

Case capacity:      5.920cc /91.2grs H2O.

Case length:         1.920"

Barrel length:      30"

Pressure spec:     <25000psi

Powder:           Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight:  300 grains.

Low load: 30.0 (1300 – 1400 Fps)

Mid load: 38.0 grains (1650 – 1750 ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 48.0 grains (1900 – 2000 Ft/p/sec).

Bullet weight:  343 grains.

Low load: 26.5 (1200 – 1300 Fps)

Mid load: 35.0 grains (1450 – 1550 ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 45.0 grains (1750 – 1850 Ft/p/sec).



NOTES:

It' important to note that SAFETY is our prime concern therefore we strongly recommend.

1.        Caution re A-5744: Take care that double charging does not occur! Especially at low load levels.

2.        TO ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM "START" LOAD and develop loads in 2% increments towards the MAXIMUM load.

3.        If possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.





Regards

Johan Loubser

Ballistician

Ramshot/Accurate Powders

Tel: (406) 234 04 22  email: johan@ramshot.com

Western Powders Inc -- Miles City – Montana.

Interesting.  I wonder how they arrived at that pressure spec?

[ndnchf]

Good question Grizz, i dunno.  But I'm staying well below that just t be safe.

[DrummerBoy]

Howdy NDN and Grizz,
Dee Bee here, so thankful for this info!
As I'm sure you fellows are aware the Uberti 50-95 with a CIP/N proof mark on the barrel seems to be proved at the CIP "rate" which for the 50-95 is 2100 Bar or somewhere around 30,458 psi.... Unless of course I'm not reading their tables correctly.. I know this is an older thread but I sure appreciate it!
Semper Fi,

[King Medallion]

Mornin! Just going thru some older threads and something caught my eye in this one. Says 30" barrel, seems like a long barrel. I understand that the vast majority of modern Uberti's have 28" barrels, as are the originals. Mine is a Presidio, which has a 20" barrel. So I'm wondering how much of a difference will there be with velocity with the barrel length difference. I don't have a chrony, never cared much for the speed of things, Accuracy is what counts for me, and what I load for. I like to hit what I'm aiming at, without unpleasant recoil, and if the book says the load is in the safe zone, it's good for me. Does that make sense? Anyway, it appears I've babbled again, not sure if I had a question. Ah, yes, how much difference between a 30" and 20" barrel in velocity.

[Roosterman]

Something like 100fps per inch....I think. I don't have a chrono either, but I need to get one.

[Roosterman]

Er, Ah....maybe it's less than that because that would be 1000fps difference.....

[King Medallion]

If nothing else, the shoulder would know the difference!