510DTC

[SoCal50Lover]

I will be reloading this round soon. Can I get some input on powders used and recipes from the experienced. TIA

[mrkubota]

If you plan on making match ammo in your fireformed cases, then H50BMG powder and AMAX bullets are a good bet to start with. They tend to fly best at 2600-2700fps.

If your barrel is longer than 32", then you could make good use of the heavier 800gr solids over the slower VV20N29 powder with bullets driven to higher velocities.

[EBR Works]

As Ben said, H50BMG is a versatile powder and is very temperature insensitive I have been using Lehigh 645gr brass solids in WCC brass & CCI35 primers. Charge weights that I have used for this range from 215gr-242.5gr. Start low and work up being vigilant for signs of pressure.



A question for Ben:

Got any ideas on attaining higher velocities on short barrels? My 22" Ferret with max 232.5gr loads of H50 and AMAXs only attain about 2500 fps. Is there some other powder you would recommend? Thanks.

[SoCal50Lover]

Thanks Guys. I will only be shooting target so match grade is not needed. Great help.

[mrkubota]

You might try some US869... not as consistent as H50BMG with the heavier bullets but
I've had good luck using it with the lighter monolithic bullets. Higher velocities than H50BMG in either example nevertheless.

//Ben

As Ben said, H50BMG is a versatile powder and is very temperature insensitive I have been using Lehigh 645gr brass solids in WCC brass & CCI34 primers. Charge weights that I have used for this range from 215gr-242.5gr. Start low and work up being vigilant for signs of pressure.



A question for Ben:

Got any ideas on attaining higher velocities on short barrels? My 22" Ferret with max 232.5gr loads of H50 and AMAXs only attain about 2500 fps. Is there some other powder you would recommend? Thanks.

[EBR Works]

You might try some US869... not as consistent as H50BMG with the heavier bullets but
I've had good luck using it with the lighter monolithic bullets. Higher velocities than H50BMG in either example nevertheless.

//Ben

Thanks Ben!

[joefreas]

I am looking to buy a case trimmer to trim the BMG cases to DTC. Which ones do you guys use/recommend? Any info would be great. Thanks-

[EBR Works]

I borrowed a Giraud to process my last batch of brass and it worked great. You have to remove .10 of material, which is a lot. This inexpensive trimmer will also work if the cases are unprimed:

http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/50-caliber-bmg-tools/case-length-trimmer_50-bmg.html

[joefreas]

Thanks. Looks like the Giraud is the way to go.

[mrkubota]

also... the Giraud is only big enough to trim BMG cases to DTC length..
there are no bushing available for it that will accommodate the larger DTC diameter once it's fire formed.

I use a Forster case trimmer to maintain my fire formed DTC brass.
Thankfully, DTC brass grows very slowly compared to BMG, so it's not much work to maintain the brass compared to the initial conversion trimming.

//Ben

[EBR Works]

also... the Giraud is only big enough to trim BMG cases to DTC length..
there are no bushing available for it that will accommodate the larger DTC diameter once it's fire formed.

Yikes, didn't know that!

I assume this is the trimmer you use?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=390841

[joefreas]

I see. I do have access to a lathe. Do you think it would be easier to do the initial trimming on a lathe then maintain them with a smaller trimmer like the forester or K&M?

[mrkubota]

Yikes, didn't know that!

I assume this is the trimmer you use?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=390841

Yes, that's it... I also attached the drill motor adapter they offer so I wouldn't have to use that hand crank either...

Nothing beats the Giraud for the initial trimming, but you have to have a need to trim A LOT of brass to make it pay for itself.

I also use a Forster neck turning tool chucked up into my mini lathe to prep case necks for match ammo. It gets used to cut necks to the proper thickness for .416, .460 and .50spotter cases made from BMG brass.

//Ben

[CSACANNONEER]

I love my Giraud for trimming my BMG brass. But, it is not cheap. I bet that for around $75 (IIRC) you can pick up a K&M 50BMG trimmer and modify it for DTC. I have a K&M as well and it's a great trimmer too. It's just a bit slower.

[mrkubota]

I see. I do have access to a lathe. Do you think it would be easier to do the initial trimming on a lathe then maintain them with a smaller trimmer like the forester or K&M?

That'll work if you have a means of locking the case on center without too much trouble. You'll still need a .50cal sized chamfer tool to take the burrs off the case mouth if you cut them using the Forster or lathe process.
I chuck the chamfer tool up in my lathe too when it's time to work the case mouths.

If you're not doing a whole lot of 'em, the Forster tool with the drill motor adapter makes the trimming go faster as well...

//Ben