Gonna start reloading 50AE projectiles in a 500 magnum and have some questions.

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classichunter

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The bullets are IMI 300 gr JSP and Speer 325 gr JHP, neither have a crimp groove. Will I need to use reduced loads? Would it be better to use 500 special cases? which powder would be best to use or start with? Taper crimp or light roll crimp? Thanks in advance, Rick
 
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I had a 50AE, and reloaded those bullets. The 50AE round uses a taper crimp, and the bullets were designed to be held in place and withstand a taper crimp. The dies you have, if they have a roll crimp in the seating die, you can use that, but depending on the load, you may have to crimp them so firm as to cut the jacket/plating. This probably cause a lesser performance in the bullet at impact with a tough target, but won't affect a thing if shooting paper.

Ivan
 
Rick,
C-H Tool used to sell a cannelure tool that would allow you to add a crimp groove wherever you wanted.
Another consideration you should think about is bullet diameter. The 50 AE was developed for the Desert Eagle when it was still being made in Isreal. Federal law prohibits importation of a handgun with a bore diameter exceeding half an inch. Therefore, 50 AE projectiles are 0.500" in diameter. I believe most all of the various domestic 50 cal revolvers call for a 0.510" projectile.
Besides accuracy considerations, this discrepancy may well cause insufficient bullet tension issue if you use 0.500" bullets when your reloading dies and brass are made for the larger diameter.

Best Regards,
Jim
 
Thanks for the replies. I have not got the gun yet so I haven't started reloading the big 500. I found a Hornady taper crimp die I plan to use and just seat the bullet with the seating die. The bore size on most all the 50's are .50". The 50ae, 50 JRH, 50 W.E., 50GI and 50 beuwulf are .500". The 500 Linebaugh is the only one I'm aware of that the bore size is .510.
So the bullets should work but will be kinda light for the 500. So I may have to load it down some. A big case for a small amount of powder with a light probably isn't good. I have seen the C-H crimp groove Tool on the net that's used to cut a cannelure into the bullets that will allow you to use a roll crimp groove. That is a good idea and I may have to go that direction. I hope I can make this work and not have any Kabooms.
 
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Before ordering that CH4D cannelure tool, you need to call them and make sure it will work on a 50 caliber bullet. I just looked on their website and them list it as used for 17 to 45 caliber. Maybe they just haven't updated their info to indicate that it will work on the 50 cal bullets. It's also a bit pricey at around $104.
 
I had one of the cannelure tools. It is hand crank and hand pressure operated. It is also very difficult to put the cannelure into copper and lead with. It can be done. It is also possible to cut right through to copper plating on the Speer bullets. I have a friend who retired from commercial reloading, that used one to put a cannelure in the case just below the bullet to keep them from going deeper into the case ( I believe Winchester used to load 45-70 that way too).

Many high recoil round's bullets are held in the case mouth with neck tension only. A tapper crimp locks that in place even better.

FWIW the 50AE prototype Desert Eagles were .510" diameter bores so the could use existing bullets for 50-110 Winchester. But production models are in .500" because NEW Cartridges .501 and larger are NFA "Destructive Devises" (same as artillery) and have a $500 transfer each time they are sold to an individual. I never knew how the .500 Linebaugh got around that (maybe and NFA exemption?)

Ivan
 
I'd suggest reduced loads for the Speer 325gr 50AE bullet. I don't see a suggested velocity range for them, like Hornady has, but since the 50AE only has a max pressure of 35K PSI, logically it's not designed for 50K+ PSI loadings. I don't know anything about the IMI bullets but I think forum member Colt SAA loads them so maybe he can comment on them.

I use Hornady's taper crimp die (#44702) when I load Berry's plated 350gr RNFP bullet. It has a cannelure but it's close to the base & when seated to it you don't have enough bullet-case tension (plus their bullets are poorly sized) to hold it, & avoid bullet jump, so I seat them deeper & taper crimp them, which helps some. They're rated by Berry's to 2000fps but I only use them for reduced load at indoor range distances.

Reduced loads with moderate powders are often criticized but if you use extra care & a single stage press where you can verify the powder dispensed each time, you should be good. I use Unique, LongShot, Bluedot & 2400 in some of my reduced loads.

.
 
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I am planning on running these at around 50ae velocities or maybe a bit less. The big case should cause lower pressure with the same amount of powder. I've been looking at that Hornady's taper crimp die. I hope to use it and not have to cut a cannelure into these bullets. They aren't extremely long and I could run into the same sorta problem as your describing with the berry's bullets. I only have a single stage press and usually hand weigh every charge anyway. I like shooting unique but wonder if its to small an amount of powder in that big case. I loaded 50ae with good success but its doesn't have the case capacity as the big 500 does. I've found some loads on line and will probably start with the lowest charge first and work up from there. Looking forward to handling the big 500. Thanks for the reply, Rick
 
BLUEDOT37 is correct, I have been loading the IMI 300 JHPs for years.

50a.jpg

Forget about the CH4D cannelure tool, you do not need it

Buy the LEE FCD for the 500 S&W Magnum and crimp in a separate step from seating. These LEE dies employ a collet crimp. This works for projectiles with or without a cannelure and yields a much more secure crimp than either taper or roll styles. This is now a cataloged die from LEE so it should be easy to get
 
I'm glad to hear I wont need the CH4D cannelure tool. That's money saved. I found the Lee Collet-Style Crimp Die for the 500 S&W Magnum. $13.00 at midway. Any suggestions for a powder to start with that works the best. I read about trailboss, unique, 2400, AA #9 and IMR 4198. I've looking at loads for 300gr or 325gr jacketed bullets. I image cast bullet data would not be valid for my situation.
 
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classichunter said:
I am planning on running these at around 50ae velocities or maybe a bit less... I like shooting unique but wonder if its to small an amount of powder in that big case.
Click to expand...

I like Unique in reduced loads in the 500. I've ranged from:

- 12.5gr to 19.0grs with 300gr FTX, (15grs: ~32K psi)
- 13.5 to 17.0grs with 350gr Berry's RNFP, &
- 15.0 to 17.0grs with MBC's 400gr L-RNFP w/HT coating

No problems, mostly use 15-17grs/Unique. It burns cleanly & uniformly. The large flakes help fill the case, somewhat, but you still need to be aware.

15grs takes up 39%, & 17grs takes up 44%, of an empty case.
15grs takes up 68%, & 17grs takes up 73%, available case space (with a bullet seated .375" deep).

.
 
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BLUEDOT37 said:
Where have you been getting your's from?

.
Click to expand...
You won't like my answer...........They are in my loading room :)

Every now and then a, now out of business, IMI importer that I know got these. When he did I bought 5-10 thousand of them from each shipment.

I am down to about 2000 right now and there are no more in sight

With the exception of a box or two in the wrong place (I see LSWC on the rack ), here are my Jacketed Handgun Projectiles that are waiting to be loaded.

projectile1.jpg
 
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Just a follow up. I just received my gun a 6 1/2" barrel model. What a beautiful gun. I ordered 100 Starline cases, a RCBS carbide die set and the Lee Collet-Style Crimp Die. I've got some CCI LR primers.
Not much for load data for the Speer bullets from the manufactures. I guess I'll use Trail boss or Unique to start with. I'd like to drive these bullets around 13 - 1400 FPS and keep the pressure down. Then maybe try some 2400 or AA#9, but not sure about the pressure levels using these powders.
 
Lyman #49 has reduced data using Unique with HDY 350gr XTP-Mag. Start 18.0gr= 1368fps @ 38.7K psi.

I use Unique @17.0gr with a 350gr Berry's P-RNFP (~1300fps). I've loaded as low as 13.5gr/Unique with them. Or pick anything in between to start, if you want. No issues with Unique, just verify your powder level before seating the bullet in the case.

Sierra gave me a starting load of 30.5gr/2400 @ 1350fps with their 350gr JHP. I have used 27gr/2400 with the Berry's (~1250fps?).

Concerning the COAL", since they're reduced loads, & you have plenty of unused case capacity, seating depth isn't critical. I actually seat the Berry's a little deeper (.375" vs .255" deep) so I can get more bullet-case tension using my taper crimp die (don't have a collet crimp die yet).

.
 
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Thanks for the info, Bluedot37. I went out yesterday looking at for some Trail Boss and reading some reloading manuals. .Cabellas has a table that has all the manuals they sell open so you can browse thru them. I could not find any Trail Boss. It may be to light a load for what I'm looking for anyway. So I bought a box of HSM 350gr JHP's I'll shoot some of them and some loads with Unique. I've never shot a 500 mag yet. I hope to get to the range Wensday night. It will be fun to compare.
 
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