CVA Scout Smokeless Conversion Question

Friend of mine (not a member here) bought a CVA Scout 45-70 smokeless muzzleloader conversion from Hankins Precision. We think we have a load dialed in for it after shooting the other day but he wanted me to jump in here and ask if anyone else has one and what they have found for powder choices other than IMR 4198? It's very hard for us to find and based on his research and not finding much info other than people on social media platforms stating "it's just what you use" or "do you even know what you are doing?" Type replies. He has been using a TC smokeless conversion so it's not new to him. I reload for rifles and haven't jumped down the smokeless rabbit hole as I can't justify several thousand in something that I might use 3 days a year. I will list the specs and chrono readings below and if anyone has experience with a different, more available powder let me know!

CVA scout 45/70 converted to smokeless muzzleloader using a Hankins HIS breech plug. Barrel length 22inches, shooting 59.5 grains of IMR 4198. Shooting Parker ballistic extreme 275 grain bullets, federal large rifle magnum primers. Bullet to bore sizing no
Wads

These numbers amazed me out of ML so would like to find a comparable powder. Yes I have looked extensively at the burn rate chart but would like some real world experienced knowledge if you have it

Avg: 2420 (5 shot group)
ES: 5.8
SD: 2.5

I have one and fortunately I have enough of that "gold dust" to last me for awhile.

Mine shoots the best at 56 grains of IMR 4198, but my ignition system is from Arrowhead and uses the 209 primer. I use the same bullet as your buddy and getting an average of 2323 fps. The below picture is a two shot group at 200 yards I did yesterday since I had never shot it past 100 yards. They are amazingly accurate

I have 50 cal smokeless ml. Vv110, 120 and the now discontinued imr 4759 work well. I use a lot of H110 in my straight wall cf cartridges. My 45 Raptor uses 46.7 grs of H110 w/250 gr T Rex bullet @ 2600fps.

ncfireman83 said:

ask if anyone else has one and what they have found for powder choices other than IMR 4198?

Click to expand...

IMR 4227 works well in those conversions. You'll be @ 2 grains LESS in powder charge weight compared to IMR 4198 though. Lots of good info on this subject over on Hank's Message Board. Good Luck!


PS. You can get a brand new Scout V3 conversion (and loading kit) from Jeff for $1,590 right now. I use my SML for both general firearms AND muzzleloader deer seasons.

H322 works

Rick Richard said:

I have one and fortunately I have enough of that "gold dust" to last me for awhile.

Mine shoots the best at 56 grains of IMR 4198, but my ignition system is from Arrowhead and uses the 209 primer. I use the same bullet as your buddy and getting an average of 2323 fps. The below picture is a two shot group at 200 yards I did yesterday since I had never shot it past 100 yards. They are amazingly accurate

View attachment 612147

Click to expand...

That's amazing!