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Posted: 7/7/2011 2:38:10 PM EDT
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this might not be the right forum, but then too how many people load for the 50BMG?
I am looking at the 510-130 bullets and note that Dave says that this bullet is designed for 2500 to about 3000 fps is what I think I remember was posted. Now I am not going to have any problem staying in that range. But I will be loading for a buddy that has a Safety Harbor repeater with a short barrel (looks to be a 22 " +/- 2"). And his rifle is not even in the low range with an AMax 750 gr with 218 gr of H50BMG powder. So, what will happen if I launch one of these brass bullets below its designed velocity? Wont spin up enough to stabilize? I wonder what would be the max powder load with these 800 gr bullets? All I know is that using some of my reloads. I get about 2700 fps and he can only develop abt 2350 fps. As my wife would say, "Size does matter". Well length that is. My Ferret has a 36" length barrel and it sure does help with spitting that pill out there. |
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First off, let me say that I’ve bought Lehigh’s bullets and think they’re a great deal for the price considering that they’re a smaller company than the major brands. They’re easy to deal with and they clearly package your product with exceptional care to insure that they arrive in perfect condition.
I’m still working to complete my rifle, so I’ve not fired it yet, nor have I assembled any of the reloading components that I’ve been buying up along the way – So I have NO actual first-hand experience to answer your question (sorry about that). With that said, has your friend considered trying the Lehigh .510-120? Those bullets are 650 grain solids with (what appears to be) a design velocity of 2100-3000 fps (there’s a typo in their description, so I’m looking at what is most probable). Better yet the .510-120’s are only $1.20 a piece as opposed to the $2 for the others. I picked up 100 of these to work up loads once I get my rifle complete. Again, sorry I can’t offer a “real-world experience” answer to your question. I’m just trying to help by throwing out an alternative idea that has a better chance of achieving the desired velocity and at a lower price.. |
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Ah MrBen, good to see you. Thanks for posting. Have a few more questions for you..
Are you familiar with Lehigh bullets? Would you vouch for the 510-120 ball bullets and their accuracy? The thing about this bullet that I am trying to avoid is the lower BC and of course the lower mass that will cause way more drop down range. And can or will you touch on powder loads using the H50BMG. Now I reconize that a powder meant for the 20mm will be a slower burning powder. Yet at the same time I have to ask is this a compressed load and does it all burn before hitting the muzzle brake? |
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I haven't had very good results using H50BMG with light bullets. It's seems to work best with the 700-750gr and VV20N29 with anything over 750gr in a 32" or better barrel.
4rnds at 100yds Lehigh solid ball with 220gr H50BMG 
5rnds at 100yds Lehigh solid ball with 225gr US869 
5rnds at 100yds Lehigh solid ball with 225gr WC868 
brass used in all tests was Israeli TZZ with CCI #35 primers |
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Thanks MrBen for those graphic evidence of the difference between powders and bullets.
Well looks like I am going to order up some of those balls (did I just say that?). And some US869 powder. Just off of the top of your head, is that slower or faster powder than the H50BMG? |
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US869 is slower than H50BMG and seems to build pressure more evenly with the light bullets. It's horrible with heavy bullets.
I found it works even better in smaller cases like the .416 and .50spotter. 225gr in a BMG/DTC case isn't a compressed load either. I seated the Lehighs to the top of the cannelure...no crimp. |
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Mr. Ben,
Ok, last night after my last post. I went to the Hodgdon's site and looked up their different powders. Whats interesting is that they say that their 869 powder is excellent for bullets in the 750 and 800 gr. But I will put real world experience ahead of some tech writers opinion (aka see marketing). I also did some searching for different burn rate charts and in the ones I was looking at didn't have US869 on any of them. Sounds like the US869 at 225 gr might have about the same velocity that my 218 gr charge of H50BMG. Be interesting to see how this works out. Much thanks for your assistance Mr Ben. |
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Yeah, the data on the US869 jugs suggests heavier charges for even the light bullets, but I've found that the M33 profile bullets still fly better at <3000fps just like the AMAX bullets. The heavy 750+ bore-rider or hybrid bullets will shoot better at >3000fps, but VV20N29 will yield better results than US869 with those.
US869 will likely give more velocity with any given bullet... just not as accurately as one might desire. I do use it a lot for making hunting ammo with the Barnes TSX 647gr hollow points... enough velocity to properly expand the bullet and still keep minute-of-hog at distance..:) Here's one of my customers with a hog he shot with some of the TSX ammo (Bohica Arms MK3 .50DTC). As I recall, he said the bullet entered the head and lodged in the butt: 
Here's the bullet pulled from the hog after dressing it out: 
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