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Posted: 10/9/2004 10:35:49 AM EDT
| I'm ordering brass and dies for my wulf, are .50AE (325gr Speer) and .50 S&W (350 gr Sienna)bullets the same or OK to use? |
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As long as the bullet diameter is .499 you are good to go. (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) Raniers 335 gr jhp is offered by midway as 50 beowulf or 50AE. I'm guessing you are getting the LEE dies ? Is so the dies come with a list of rounds that you can load. Some will say you are "limited" to what you can load but I don't want to start that argument yet again and waste space on your post. I personally don't think you have to have 1,000 different bullets you can use. All you need is the "one" that suits you, your purpose and your rifle. What you get will give you suggested rounds to use with powder weights and o.a.l and everything. AS with all reloading it's experimentation. You may find rounds not listed that fall close to the weights and perform great. That's why I love reloading. It takes the limitations off of you somewhat. |
AMEN BROTHER! |
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Yeah, any .499 bullet will work. I've played with lead bullets from muzzleloaders (.495-.497) just for grins. I used .50AE data and loaded down somewhat. For the record, it was just for grins; the accuracy stank and the lead fouling was a PITA to clean out (Thank God for Outers' Foul-Out!). The data supplied with the dies is more than adequate, as are the bullet choices. A lot of people in this forum tout the .458 SOCOM for it's wider variety of bullet (and it is a hell of a cartridge in it's own right), but the available weights for the Beowulf does the job with ease. If you need a lighter bullet for something, the 'wulf ain't the gun to use. If you come across bullets lighter than 335 grains, use the 335's data, but reduce it by at least 10%. Try a few rounds and check for over-pressure signs (any good reloading manual will outline this). Good luck and enjoy the gun! |
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I have 6 different .500 diameter bullets loaded up with 3 different powders to do chronograph testing, I just haven't had time to shoot them yet. I am working on developing loads with WC860 surplus, which is comparable to AA1680, as a lowest cost plinking load with the plated bullets. I have had really good results with the WC680 surplus in .444 Marlin. Although I am getting outstanding accuracy with the 37.9 gr. Lil' Gun/335 Ranier load, it is fun to experiment, and look for even better accuracy. Also, here in Arkansas, we are required to use a bullet that has exposed lead for hunting. (no FMJ) I wish I had some of the 350gr. XTPs, but I have them all loaded into 500 S&W ammo. There was also a question the other day about the velocity of the factory 334 gr. ammo/vs the 37.9 gr Lil' Gun reloads. So I have a few factory rounds I can clock as well. What I do have loaded is: 335 Ranier FP/37.9 grs Lil' Gun 325 Speer HP/37.2 grs. Lil' Gun 400 Hawk/47.4 grs. RE 7 400 Sierra SP/46.5 grs. RE 7 385 Remington HP/ 47.4grs RE 7 350 Sierra HP/45 grs WC680 surplus I was planning on posting the results when I get around to shooting them. |
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The data supplied by AA is 47.4 grs. RE 7 for the 400 grain Hawk. However, the jacket on the hawk bullet is very soft. I think that the harder jacket on the Sierras will raise pressures, that's why I backed off the inital load for testing. Update: I contacted Alexander Arma today, and got the newest data. The last data I had from them was in Jan. of 2003, when I got my gun.  
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| Are the loads listed on the AA supplied sheet max or preferred/accuracy? Most load data supplied from manufacturers is max and you are supposed to reduce by 10% and work up. I have the 325gr Speers and some Lil Gun but wasn't certain I should go ahead and load the listed amount or reduce. |
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Well I don't want to jump the gun withthis answer but i think those must be preferred since there is no minimum load/maximum load desigantion as in most manuals for reloading. Hopefully I'll be loading my rounds this weekend to test out. Loading the 348 gr powerbelts and the 335 raniers. I'm going to load them to the specs listed and see how they do. If the accuracyis off I may pull one of the factory rounds and see what powder charge they have in it. |
As a rule of thumb, you should reduce any load that doesn't have a minimum/maximum listing. I use 10% as a factor (because it's easy to figure!) and load 25 rounds- 5 rounds each at various charge levels- until reaching the loading listed. In the case of the L'il Gun and a 335 grain bullet, I started at 34.1 and increased by .7 grains to 37.9. For the record, the reduced charges were fun to shoot, but accuracy sucked. At 37.9 grains, out of my gun, the velocity difference between AA factory stuff was about 150 fps in favor of AA. I haven't used any of the other powders and likely won't since L'il Gun works and I use it in other calibers and in .410 as well. |
You can get bullets pretty much anywhere that sells reloading supplies. The 335gr Raniers are probably the most "reasonably priced" option. The brass is only available from Alexander Arms dealers. The big online ones are the ones you saw listed on AA's site. |
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I just returned from the range and test firing some of my first reloads. I loaded up some 335 Ranier HP's with 35.9 grains of Lil'Gun. I didn't really check for accuracy much today, just signs of over pressure. This was my first attempt at reloading and I must say, I was a little nervous about squeezintg the trigger on the first round. But all went well. I see from a prior posting that I can still go on up a little on the powder. I also loaded some frangible rounds from Sinterfire. I used 35 grains of Lil'Gun in those with good results. Well, keep the posts coming in reference to reloading for the Beowulf. I am very interested in gaining all the knowledge I can get on reloading for this weapon. |
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Hi all I too just went to the range and fired my first reloads for the wulf , Speer 325gr JHP , 36.9gr of LiL-Gun , CCI350 mag pistol primer , 2.110 oal . I don't have a cronograph so going by recoil ,sound , primer flatness , firing pin indent etc they seemed identical to the factory 334gr JHP . 4" 5 shot group at 100yd using a 5moa red dot I,m sure I could get it to half that or less with a scope as the dot covers 5" at 100yd. Anyway just thought I would post for info , maby help some one else as you all have been a great help to me, Thx. P.S. any Ideas on what is a good cheaper priced case tumbler to get ? Thx. |
| I know that AA listsa low impulse load using a 400gr projectile, but has anyone tried reduced loads using either the 325gr Speer or 335gr Rainier? I sighted in my Bushnell Holosight using a handload of 35.0gr of Lil Gun and the 325gr Speer. I started at 50 yards and had the first two shots touching. I made an adjustment on both the windage and elevation and fired two more. These were touching each other but just a little bit left of center (about an inch). I figured that it was time to move to the 100 yd target. Fired the first shot and it was about 3 inches left of the bullseye but elevation was good. I turned the windage adjustment 6 clicks (1/2 moa per click). I fired 3 more shots for group. Walked down to the target expecting a decent group in the center of the target but what I found was more like a pattern. None of the 3 shots hit the 8x8 paper. One was extremely low, more than a foot. And the other two were wide right. I ran out of time and couldn't get back to shoot at the 50yd range. Could the Holosight have let go so soon? I thought that the two shot groups at 50yds exhibited sufficient accuracy that at 100 yds the group would be no more than 3 inches. I have since loaded some of the load listed on the sheet supplied from AA - 325gr Speer, 37.2gr Lil Gun, CCI350, 2.110" OAL - but have not had the chance to fire them. If the gun still won't group at 100 yds using the new load, I'll have an extra scope on hand to see if that is the problem. Anybody else have a similar occurance or just some insight/advice? |
| What COL are you guys using with the rainier fmj fp?I am having problems with them as far as sticky chambering and pressure using the suggested 37.9 grn lil gun.I have no problems with the speer 225 Hp but the rainiers show some pressure signs and if I try to eject a live round it takes some doing.I posted on the reloading forum but thought I would ask the Wulf crowd. |
I have my loads at 2.108". AA recommends 2.110", but I had the same problem you are experiencing at that length. Setting back .002" and using a firm taper crimp helped a bunch with feeding and extraction. Pressure signs showed a mild increase, so I backed off the powder charge to 37.7 of L'il Gun and it works fine now. |
I'll bet your problem ain't the load; it's the sight. I had similar problems with an ATN reflex sight- I couldn't get it to hold a group to save my life!. I think the recoil impulse of the Beowulf just beats those type sights to death. I've since switched to a S&W dot sight with no problems. I've also used a couple different scopes- Leupold and Burris to be exact- with great results, but took'em off because they interfered with the charging handle and I didn't want to use high rings and change the profile of the gun. I may switch to a Burris pistol scope and try that out- that's one of the pleasures of owning guns! |
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What are you all using to trim case length , Lee's site dosn't have anything so I E-Mailed them and this is there response , We can custom make a gauge for the 50 Beowulf for $15.00, we would need the bullet diameter and trim length you want it made to, also payment in advance. It should take a #12 shell holder and it will also need our Large Cutter and Lock Stud #90401 - $9.98 Customer Service So is there anything else available before I go this route? Thx. |
So far, I haven't had to trim any cases. If I do have to, my Lyman Case Trimmer can handle the job. |
| My case length's vary as much as .017 , seems to me that they would be more accurate if they were all about the same length , or is there something about the Beowulf that is dif from other cal's ? AA's load data only shows an .011 variance or am I just being too picky? |
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I suppose you would get more consistent pressure and a smaller standard deviation with the cases being the same length. In shooting for long range accuracy and benchrest, you'd want exact case lengths, but for Beowulf purposes, I don't think it matters a lot. I've managed 1-1.5" groups with mine at 100 yards and hunting accuracy at 200, and have never measured one. |
Well, I still haven't shot these loads..........I have been building a rifle.  Maybe this weekend. 
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