Hey fellas, been awhile since ive been on here. Had a question. So ive been reloading beowulf for awhile now, typically 325 and 335gr . But i recently bought some 325gr solid brass penetrators from lehigh defense. I dont usually load max for anytbing but i really wanted to see what these things can do as far as destrution and penetration so i went balls to the wall out of the gate. 325gr xtreme penetrator, 38.0gr lil gun, 2.13 oal. Coming out of an 18" barrel. I havent shot them yet but started second guessing whether or not the load data i used, 325gr HP, would be ok to go max with with these solid brass projectiles. Should i be worried that maybe using max load for deepcurl HP may not translate well to solid brass of the same weight? Any info is appreciated. And before anyone says it, i knkw, start low and work up, i got a little excited and cranked them out without thinking it through all the way.
Beowulf reloading
- Thread starter Jeff2131
- Start date
50 Beowulf.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50_Beowulf
Since you know you flubbed how about loading some different rounds at a lower pressure and keep these max loads set aside until you've worked up to where they are?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50_Beowulf
Since you know you flubbed how about loading some different rounds at a lower pressure and keep these max loads set aside until you've worked up to where they are?
Worried? Ab-so-frackin-lutely!!!!
Is your rifle going to blow up with these loads? I doubt it. Is there a possibility of damage? Quite possible. Are they likely to malfunction? Very likely, but not an absolute.
One of the things that determines the pressure of a given load is the bullet. NOT just the weight, but what it is made of, and the bearing surface. In other words, the resistance it has to going down the bore. More resistance = higher pressure.
A bullet made of brass, (lighter than lead & copper) MUST be longer at the same weight. Longer means more of the bullet is in contact with the barrel (longer bearing surface to be engraved by the rifling). This means higher pressures, for a given powder charge.
Using a max charge for bullet A shooting bullet B could put you into dangerously high pressures, right out of the gate.
THAT Is why we ALWAYS say start low, and work up, in small steps.
Every gun & ammo combination is a unique individual. They tend to fall in patterns, but exceptions DO exist. What is max for one rifle and bullet may not be for your rifle and bullet, or it may be well over max for your combination. The ONLY way to know that is careful testing working up loads from BELOW published maximums!
If you don't already have one, get a bullet puller. You WILL need it, at some point.
You only have two "safe" options. Pull down the loads you made up, OR put them aside, and, using the SAME COMPONENTS work up your load from below, until you reach the load you made up before, IF YOU DO!
If you run into pressure signs before reaching the load level you made up when you were "in a hurry" (and you might), then your option is simple, you must pull down the "too hot ammo".
You spent a lot of money on your gun, kind of stupid to risk damage, I think. Even dumber to risk injury over a few dollars worth of reloading components.
Done right, all the components of the pulled down ammo are re-useable.
That makes alot of sense. Also, when i got home from work, i took a look at them again, the 325 gr penetrator sits twice as far down in the case as the 325 hp. I do have a hammer puller but they wont fit. Im going to have to figure out what to use that will pull these apart. So once pulled, would starting at the min of the 325gr HP data and working up be a good idea or do i go even lower than that given that they sit twice as deep in the case as the HP's?
Well, i was able to pull 15 apart. I started down at the min for the 325gr deepcurl which is 33.1-38 of lil gun. I did 5 @33, 3 @33.6, 3 @34.1, 2 @35, and 2 @36. I guess ill be looking for pressure signs and seeing how it goes. Sucks tryin to pull beowulf apart in a hammer. But i guess thats the price i pay for bein all excited and in a hurry. Thanx for the warning. Much appreciated.