In my evaluations I found a slightly slower burning powder suited my needs for a wider range of cartridges. I started with SR-4759, but the lights didn't come on until I tried IMR-4198, and voila, I have my cast bullet powder. That and Blue Dot. If loading something for the kids then 1400 to 1500 fps punches the fun ticket all day long and Blue Dot does it. IMR-4198 is magic dust in a 35 Remington, and 45-70 Gov't.
A properly alloyed cast lead bullet followed up with a gas check will do anything commercially available from the big manufacturers wearing a copper jacket over sane velocities. The fastest load I've carried in the field is the 250gr 35 cal Saeco loaded in a 35 Whelen at 2480fps powered by 53.0grs IMR-4320. Lesser charges weren't as accurate.
In the 35 Remington IMR-4198 was best in accuracy with the 204gr Lyman (358315), capped with a gas check, going 2150fps. It duplicates the Remington Core-lokt load.
In the 45-70 Gov't my favorite load is 39.0grs of IMR-4198 pushing the Lyman 457193 405gr plain base bullet just over 1700 fps. It's powerful and fun. On the bench they beat me up pretty good and I went home with a tenderized shoulder, but ecstatic with the accuracy and performance.
