.50 BMG advice?

[Strykervet]

So I'm loading for an M2HB and a DTA HTI rifle. I'm using LC once fired surplus brass, pulled ball and API bullets, CCI #35's and Hodgdon US869. The brass was hard to size and left a bit of a ring around the neck where it pushed back the shoulder. Otherwise, the brass looks good and fits a Wilson gauge properly.

I'm ready to test some loads before I start loading up lots on a Dillon progressive. So I need to get this right. I have 25 loads right now, 3 belted and 2 not, going from 240gr., 245gr., 250gr., 255gr. and 260gr. The max for this load is 265gr. I'm loading ~650-ish grain ball rounds to 5.425" COAL. I was told I could find a load by working up in 5 grain increments, then fine tune it from there if I choose.

I'm looking for optimum accuracy from the DTA, but I want reliability and velocity from the M2HB, well within safety parameters of course.

Any advice? Am I on the right track here?

 

[AIAW]

My experience is very limited with that powder (I loaded H50BMG mostly along with 20N29 back years ago) but I think you are definitely on the right track. You are working the charge up just like one should.

5g resolution is perfectly fine also!

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Tag for when I am not typing on a damp phone... more to follow. Sirhr

 

[crumpett]

I had best accuracy with a charge between 220-225 grs and weigh your pulldown projo's(sort by 1gr lots).

 

[biffj]

The best advice is don't use the brass from the M2 for the DT. The M2 chamber is a bit oversize and will stretch the cases. Most guys I know who reload for their Brownings get about 3 -4 shots before they get case head separations. The DT uses a pretty tight chamber which will feed great in the browning but you'll end up stretching, squishing and wearing your cases out pretty quick.
So the answer to your question is load up some ammo for the browning making sure the cases aren't too stretched. I run about 225gr of 5010 or 230gr of WC872 with standard BMG pulldown bullets. Most of them are around 640gr or so. Seat depth to fit your feedway for reliable feeding. Too long and they're going to hang up and jam the feedway. Too short and the extractor won't grab the round and load it. Either of those loads will function well and are reasonably accurate.

Now for the DT use separate cases that haven't been fired in the M2. The hornady AMAX 700gr bullets are very accurate. Most of the guys I know shooting for accuracy run H50BMG starting at about 205gr and working up to best velocity and accuracy. You'll get 12-20 shots per case with annealing every 3 or 4 shots.

I run the pulldown API, AP, APIT and tracer bullets in my 510 whisper and they are crap for accuracy. They run about the same in the BMG. On the other hand the same round, same load and same rifle with the Hornady AMAX bullets shoots tight groups. The best of the pulldowns is probably the AP and they're the hardest to find.

Hope that helps some.

Frank