Hello everyone, I don't mean to beat a dead horse but...I have some experiance loading/shooting a Stevens Mod. 49 on the 44 1/2 frame.  in .25-20 S.S.  I have shot it with a 96gr. Barnet breech-seated, Rocky Mtn. turned  brass case, Fed. match primer, 7.0gr. H4227.  This is a mild and accurate load.  Interestingly, that 7.0gr. charge is what I use in a .22 Hornet with cast for best accuracy.    Perhaps if I start light with this powder & work up carefully, I can find an accurate and safe low-pressure load.  4227 is like an old friend, have been using it in originals for over 30 years.  What do you guys think of this plan?  I can and will use black if you experts deem it safer..but I sure don't look forward to the fouling & clean-up in that little bore.  The main thing...as always when using modern smokeless  is to avoid a double-charge!  Thanks again!

Hello, again, everyone.  uscra112..Thank you for quick-load info..I am very green at this computer stuff..don't even have one in home..yet.  I agree..that .25-25 is a LONG case & small charge might get lost in there.  I have an old can of Hercules Unique & can try.  The other day, I had a nice conversation with Paul Shuttleworth, he said the Ballard cast actions were probably closer to a cast-steel..At any rate, in his opinion, they are stronger than the Stevens 44.  This I did not know..I have seen some fairly stiff loads of 4227 in a .32-40 Mod.44, being used at our local schuetzen matches.  He suggested forgetting black in that small case and starting with the 4227.   I have tried XMP 5744 in the Hornet..after first shot..I couldn't chamber round..full of unburned powder..even heaver loads didn't help much & accuracy wasn't there.  Looks like the market is open for a bulky low-pressure smokeless for these old ones.  Thanks again for all your help.

Well, the bulky criterion leads right to Trail Boss, no doubt about it.  For whatever faults it may have, fluffy it is. . . . 

But if you have Unique on hand, load 4.0 to 5.0 grains and see what it'll do for you.    

Was just reading in a 1940s magazine that 4759 was introduced to replace the old duPont #80, which was very nearly a "bulk smokeless".   Can one still get 4759?      

Phil

Hello, everyone, and thanks for many helpful reply's.  I do have an oldr can of 4759, I see on the burn charts, it is 1 notch above 4227..so might just help in the un-burned powder area.  I will let you know.   One other question..Has anyone used the camming action of the Ballard with a "plugged" case as a breech-seater?  I have done this on the Stevens 44 1/2, with good results.  If using a soft tapered bullet, is this harmful to action?..(increased wear?)  Thank you.