Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

[el gordo2]

I looked in the depot and didnt find much for the 50BMG.

I am interested in loading some lighter weight pills for it. Both Woodleigh and Barnes make 350-500gr soft points in .510"
Just wanting a real sledge hammer for say pigs at 500-600 yards so a great BC isnt needed.
Anyone ever experiment with these, if so could you share?

 

[bohem]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

50 BMG, by definition, is a sledgehammer on living creatures. Especially inside 1000y.

I'd be worried that bullets in the 350gr range are for a pistol case like the 500 SW and you're going to end up throwing them so fast they may never reach the target.

A 500gr bullet might be more realistic, but again, with the ability of the 50 BMG to throw such a heavy bullet, you might do a little checking into how the Woodleigh bullets are setup to perform. You don't want to send something downrange at 3800 fps and find out that it's going to explode on impact and not cleanly kill the hogs.

Seems to be a minute worry, considering the effects of a 500gr bullet moving so damn fast, but again, just some food for thought.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

DO NOT USE THEM!!!!!!!!!!
They are not designed for that high of a velocity and can come apart in your muzzle brake. lehigh (sic) has a warning about using some of their bullets in a .50BMG.
You must use something that is designed for that cartridge and will be safe as well as stable given the twist rate of a .50


Match target
http://lehighbullets.com/products.asp?cat=8

Hunting
http://lehighbullets.com/proddetail.asp?prod=510-200

 

[Brasscow]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

The Mechanic has steered you right. Be wary of those lead core bullets designed for pistols and lever action rifles. Having one of those come apart in your muzzle brake would be devastating.

Dave does make a "shredder tip" .510 that I always kind of wanted to try. http://www.lehighbullets.com/proddetail.asp?prod=510%2D400

Be careful about the design velocity of 2700fps. That won't be hard to exceed with the 440gr weight. It might be worth e-mailing Dave to ask his opinion, but realize he runs a very successful machining company as his full time job and you may not receive a response.

 

[el gordo2]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

Thanks for the responses bohem, brasscow and mechanic. I looked at the Woodleighs,but found they are designed for velocities up to 2200fps so those are being ruled out.

The Lehigh shredder tip is cheaper than the 750gr A max;s I am using now so I might give them a try.

 

[ARsR4ME]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

What if you just reduced the load? If 600 yards would be max wouldn't slowing down the round have more effect than passing through at regular speed. I don't know how slow you could go until you reach high pressure's. Just a thought.

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nut job</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What if you just reduced the load? If 600 yards would be max wouldn't slowing down the round have more effect than passing through at regular speed. I don't know how slow you could go until you reach high pressure's. Just a thought. </div></div>

reducing loads in the 50BMG is a BAD-VERY BAD thing. It would depend on the powder,ball powder is more dangerous than extruded but published minimums is low enough.

My suggestion would be a short barrel. Less recoil,less velocity-ALOT MORE BLAST though. Easier to carry around too.

 

[bohem]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

What about mil-surp 650gr FMJ's? They're designed to take the speed, they're lighter than the 750s and a ton cheaper. They're not a match grade bullet but inside of 1000y I have been told by the rifle's owner they shoot pretty close to MOA.

Even at 600y the "vital" zone on a pig is pretty darn big when you're shooting with a 50

EDIT: I was unaware that the surplus were resized (see below)

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

NEW ball projectiles rarely shoot within 2moa. All the surplus ones have been pulled and then resized. It's one thing longrange plinking at boulders. But to ethically take a game animal, ball is just going to pass through,the wound channel would probably be enourmous though.

Lehigh makes monolithic bullets with deep hollowpoints that are very accurate. Can't imagine there being very much left of the hog though.

 

[bohem]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lt. Arclight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">NEW ball projectiles rarely shoot within 2moa. All the surplus ones have been pulled and then resized. It's one thing longrange plinking at boulders. But to ethically take a game animal, ball is just going to pass through,the wound channel would probably be enourmous though.

Lehigh makes monolithic bullets with deep hollowpoints that are very accurate. Can't imagine there being very much left of the hog though. </div></div>

I was unaware that the surplus ones had been resized. Thanks for letting me know. I will retract my previous statement.

The wound channel would be immense, that much is certain.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

To anyone that thinks resized projo's mean 2 moa here you go
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...793#Post1162793
Three shot group 190 yards pulled resized fireforming loads of 690 black tip AP

The AP is terrifically accurate and when handloaded I truly believe 1MOA is the norm. For hunting I would still go with the Lehighs, but if it is going through a hog just use the AP. Also you can get unpulled brand new projo's from Natches 650 grainers' Winchester ball

 

[bohem]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

Mechanic, that's freakin' cool!

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Lightweight Bullets in 50 BMG

I figured it would be about 2 moa with fireforming loads but really surprised at the accuracy of 690 even with fireform loads. Not exactly the same as AMax but it is accurate and would be more than accurate enough for hunting. Also given its boat tail and 700 grain weight it has a decent bc for 1,000 yards