.50 BMG

adamedner

adamedner

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Minuteman
Jan 26, 2010
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Cheyenne Wyoming
#1
Before getting started I know that in the end finding a good load for a rifle will involve me sitting at the range with a large box of bullet. I am hoping that I can get a good direction to start working in.

That being said, I would like to know what loads you have that work well for you. I would like to know what bullet, its weight, powder brand, it load (in grains), brass, and primers (if there is any thing else other than the CCI primers).

Also if you have any suggestions on how to load a bullet that would be suitable for a 2500 yard shot, that would be great.

Thank you.
 
#2
Re: .50 BMG

Plinking loads - LC Brass, 215gr 5010, CCI #35 primers, Ball or AP.

Long Range = WCC Brass, 225gr H50BMG, Solid Brass Bore Rider Lehigh Bullets , Hirtenberger primer.

You problay will not find the Hirternberger's so CCI#35 will suffice!

Terry

These are out of a AR-50
 
#6
Re: .50 BMG

I heard from someone that on most BMG cases there is a lacquer coating that builds up on the inside of the neck that could prevent the bullet from seating correctly. Do you find that to be true? If so, how do you remove the lacquer?
 
#7
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard from someone that on most BMG cases there is a lacquer coating that builds up on the inside of the neck that could prevent the bullet from seating correctly. Do you find that to be true? If so, how do you remove the lacquer? </div></div>

Acetone (wear NITRILE, not latex gloves and handle it in an open area) and a copper brush in a drill will clean out any kind of gummy crap you may find.

I have only seen this gunk on mil surp cases that have been sealed
 
#8
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard from someone that on most BMG cases there is a lacquer coating that builds up on the inside of the neck that could prevent the bullet from seating correctly. Do you find that to be true? If so, how do you remove the lacquer? </div></div>
The laquer is a sealant that the military uses to seal the bullet in the case before they crimp them.You'll find the laquer on most once fired brass they fire out of an M2.I use a 1/2" plumbing brush,with the handle cut off chucked in a drill.Do this in a well ventilated area and wear eye protection.A couple of passes with the drill and the residue is gone.You should also be aware that once fired mil brass usually has the primer crimped and the crimp will have to be removed before you try to prime them.Hopefully the brass was shot out of a correctly headspaced M2,or you'll be in for a real workout trying to resize them to fit your rifle chamber.Don't oversize them and Use plenty of lube.
Good luck,
STEVE
 
#10
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of case perpetration do you do? Neck turning, tumbling ect... </div></div>

For a standard chamber: don't buy once fired MG brass-It'll work but its a bitch to resize due to the HUGE M2 headspace.

1)Primer pockets MUST BE prepped. The crimp must be removed before you can prime the case. A careful chamfer will do the trick and uniform them to 0.220" depth. K&M Services make a nice carbide tool you can chuck in a drill press. (717)292-3715 nice guy from Dover,Pa.

2)Resize them AGAIN,clean by tumbling,ultrasonic or brass solution.

3)Unless you have a match chamber(NOT RECOMMENDED)for a new 50 shooter-you will not need to cut the necks.

4) You'll need a case trimmer-I have a Forster with a .510 arbor.

5) Seating 50BMG primers is NOT as easy as seating ordinary centerfire rifle. There are several VERY expensive tools made by M2 $300+ but you can get by with the priming ram kit that comes with the Ammomaster RCBS press. 50BMG primers are actually "cocked" when the are seated-this requires some user skill and has to be learned by trial and error.

6) If you buy new primed Winchester cases that are around-all you'll need to do is clean out the sealant-not necessary

7) LEARN how the seating die works-ball ammo MUST be crimped into the cannulure groove on the projectile

8) Buy a bullet sizing die and make sure ALL surplus projectiles are indeed 0.510"-at least buy a very good dial caliper and check each one prior to loading.

I hope you have other reloading experience. Remember you are setting off 215-250 gr of powder right next to your face.
 
#11
Re: .50 BMG

I have had very good success with collet dies from LEE. I used them with my 300 wm and the comparison between neck sizing and collet sizing was tremendous. LEE makes a .50 BMG version of the collet die. I understand that collet dies do not work on casing that have not been fired through the rifle you are loading for. However on the casings that i have previously fired, would the collet dies work well?
 
#12
Re: .50 BMG

Kind of a "go-to" load for 50 BMG's is 215 grains of H50BMG and a 750 grain Hornady A-Max bullet seated WAY out. This load results in a muzzle velocity approx 2450 in my AR-50, but shoots lights out good and the BC on the bullet, 1.050, keeps the velocity up and the wind drift down.

According to QuickLoad, you can go way up on this load and stay under max pressures, but I would work up slowly as you are dealing with a LARGE case whihc results in a LARGE area for the pressures to work on.

George
 
#14
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard from someone that on most BMG cases there is a lacquer coating that builds up on the inside of the neck that could prevent the bullet from seating correctly. Do you find that to be true? If so, how do you remove the lacquer? </div></div>

You need to try the handy dandy SS media....
 
#15
Re: .50 BMG

Don't go to far out on the AMax with a Windrunner the throat is not that long. As for dies you REALLY need to stick with CH4D. They are very high quality and Dave is a great guy to deal with. You won't be sorry, I will tell you why. If you decide later to get out of the whole .50 game ( a little more common than you think) the quality parts always go first for a closer price to what you paid for them. You know what they say buy once cry once.
 
#18
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoots100</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard from someone that on most BMG cases there is a lacquer coating that builds up on the inside of the neck that could prevent the bullet from seating correctly. Do you find that to be true? If so, how do you remove the lacquer? </div></div>
The laquer is a sealant that the military uses to seal the bullet in the case before they crimp them.You'll find the laquer on most once fired brass they fire out of an M2.I use a 1/2" plumbing brush,with the handle cut off chucked in a drill.Do this in a well ventilated area and wear eye protection.A couple of passes with the drill and the residue is gone.You should also be aware that once fired mil brass usually has the primer crimped and the crimp will have to be removed before you try to prime them.Hopefully the brass was shot out of a correctly headspaced M2,or you'll be in for a real workout trying to resize them to fit your rifle chamber.Don't oversize them and Use plenty of lube.
Good luck,
STEVE </div></div>

I anneal the case necks on the once-fired military brass before resizing. Prior to annealing I clean out the tar inside the case mouth with the wire brush as others have mentioned. I use Imperial sizing wax and I also swab sizing wax inside the case mouth. After doing this they are almost as easy to resize as the new Igman brass that I have.

Another handy tool to have is a Wilson Case Gauge. You can get one from Sinclair's. When you place the mil brass into the case gauge you will see how much the brass has been stretched. After sizing they fit in there perfect just like the Barrett brass after firing in my M-99.

 
#19
Re: .50 BMG

check this one out
caselengthgauge.jpg
 
#20
Re: .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rotortuner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey mechanic, what are you using for a OAL for your windrunner with the AMAXes? Just want to compare to what I get.

CJG </div></div>

I am still playing with the OAL on the AMAXes, but right now, it seems to shoot very well with 5.650", which is slightly less than the OAL of the mag.
 
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