Hi. This is trainman i'm new to this site. i'm looking for information on reloading surplus 50 cal. bullets

[Trainman]

using Alliant RL 50 powder. The bullet"s weigh between 606 gns and 647 gns. Or a reloading site. You can Email me @ [email protected]

 

[Diver160651]

using Alliant RL 50 powder. The bullet"s weigh between 606 gns and 647 gns. Or a reloading site. You can Email me @ [email protected]

Try pinging @Lynn Jr

 

[Lynn Jr]

Trainman
Usually RE50 is used for the heavier 800 grain bullet weights at 240 grains and above with a RWS primer.
For the lightweight bullets you are use H5010 H50BMG or VV24N41 would work better starting at 215 grains.

 

[Trainman]

thanks for the info what is the problem with using it for the lighter bullets

 

[Lynn Jr]

You don't build enough pressure and it fouls the barrel sooner.
US869 when it first came out was supposed to be the slowest powder on the market intended for 800+ grain bullets.
I find it shoots better with the lighter bullets than the heavier bullets which is an exception to the rule.

 

[Shankin]

Welcome to the site train.

 

[Strykervet]

Welcome! We have one helluva community here, it's definitely a unique place.

I load these in mass numbers. I'm working on a lot of 10,000 cases (and have been for a while, shit keeps getting in the way!). I use a Dillon BFR. Turns out there are other, smaller mfg.'s and someone even makes a 650XL-like press (not Dillon). The Dillon press is solid though and that trimmer is the only way to go IME.

For Ma Deuce belted ammo, I'm using 240 or 242 grains US869 (I'd have to look) under API's. I haven't started loading for accuracy in the HTI yet, got a divorce, surgeries and other shit keeps getting in the way. Just mispec copies for the most part, but I've got almost 1000 belted up.

It's hard to find much data on loading for these though. And pulled BMG bullets come in all weights (and usually the data you need is for the OTHER one!). Some one said they quit making H50, I've got a jug of it but I've got closer to 80+lbs. of US869 --I'm hoping it lights the tracers up. I've heard they can be sketchy and the military data all calls for an obsolete powder made by IMR (5010?). I was in contact with a guy that can get mass quantities of military powder but all he could ever get was 20mm powder in 20lb kegs. Lots can vary a lot too and I've heard some horror stories so I just stuck with the US869. It ain't cheap but at least I know what I'm getting.

My API's are 647 but the APIT's are 619. What a pain in the ass. If it wasn't such a chore to take it out and find a suitable range, I'd probably have it all figured out by now. For the M2 it's not so important, but it's a different story with the rifle.

 

[Trainman]

thanks. Has anybody else had any luck w/RL50 I bought 8lbs, of it I would like to use it for the API and APIT's

 

[Lynn Jr]

Trainman
It will work for the bullets you are using its just not the best choice for extreme accuracy.
Start at 240 grains and go up.
You only get about 28 rounds to a pound of powder.

 

[Trainman]

thanks, feel better. will buy different powder next time.

 

[Trainman]

Trainman here. shot the 50cal Barret 20" barrel today w/239.3 gns. of reloader 50. Read 2596 fps on chrony , primar was quite flat . The case resized very easily. Will cut back to 230 gns. By the way it was an API 648 gn bullet. This info may help someone else. Later

 

[Lynn Jr]

The primers on 50 caliber cases look like part of the case after firing so that is typical.
Most shooters are using 240 grains or more with the 800 grain boreriders so your not too hot.

 

[Trainman]

Trainman. Thanks

 

[Trainman]

Trainman here. Anybody have any chronograph results for a Barrett 50 cal 20' bbl. I got 2492 fps using232.5 gns. of RL 50. an 606 gn APIT.

 

[Trainman]

Sorry mean't 232.5 gns. of RL 50