Reloading the .50 Beowulf.
- Thread starter BradMacc82
- Start date
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- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
Don't feel like you have to compete.
There's guy's out there casting 700+gr slugs for the Beowulf. 530gr steel-tips are plenty enough for me.
Just had another half case of the 335gr HP's delivered the other day. Got a batch of brass that's coming up on their 8th loading, so I figured it's time to get some fresh brass into the mix.
Get yourself a Case Gauge. Then you know what's going on.
- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
http://shop.umlautarms.com/Sheridan-Engineering-50-Beowulf-Ammo-Function-Gauge-SE-50B-GAUGE.htm
http://www.shopalexanderarms.com/Brass_Reloading-.50_Beowulf_Ammunition_Gauge.html
It's nice to have around.
I personally stick with the rounds listed thru A.A.'s data, and loading to their specs, haven't had any issues yet.
But be forewarned, A.A.'s listed Max charges, can be really hard on the brass.
centerfire301
Member
- Sep 30, 2010
- 45
Reloading dies
I want to start reloading my .50 Beowulf what dies are best?
I want to start reloading my .50 Beowulf what dies are best?
I've never seen anything but the Lee's.
That is surely an opinion thing.
Dillon, Redding, Forster, RCBS, all good dies. No point in getting carbide. You will have to lube the brass anyway.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
Also Lyman, Lee, and Hornady. And Whidden for the higher end, precision stuff.
To me, get the ones that are easiest to find.
To me, get the ones that are easiest to find.
Roadhawg
Bee Farmer
I stick with the A.A. data as well and their minimum charge works just fine.
- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
Hornady had them for a brief period, but now I think they either discontinued or they have to be custom ordered.
Right now, Lee is the only available option unless you really want to pay out the ass.
For a couple years now, I've been resizing .50 Beowulf Brass with Lee dies. If you use enough lube (not too much or it will ripple the brass), bring it up half way, rotate the brass 90 degrees, and bring up the ram a second time, put some muscle behind it, and hope for the best, you should have a resized piece of brass. As the dies broke in, it got a *little* better, but was still a time-consuming choir.
I finally picked up a set of Redding dies for the Beowulf, and all I can say is,"Wow!! What a difference!!"
I resized 800 pieces of brass in the time it would have taken me to resize 200 before, and only needed lube every other case.
For anyone else reloading for the Beowulf, do yourself a favor: toss those Lee dies into the bay and pick up the Redding dies. You won't regret it.
.
Roadhawg
Bee Farmer
I am still using the Lee Beowulf die set and this is was very help info:
In the past I never rotated the brass and usually lost a case or two or more.
Today I used this method to resized 100 pieces of Beowulf brass and I did not lose a single soldier.
In the past I never rotated the brass and usually lost a case or two or more.
Today I used this method to resized 100 pieces of Beowulf brass and I did not lose a single soldier.
- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
Haven't had that issue with the Lee's myself. I have had 2 that got so stuck I just replaced the die, but on the resizing I use a generous (not excessive) coating of lube and they resize/decap just fine for me.
Roadhawg
Bee Farmer
I have had several stuck cases, but I have been lucky and was able to remove them. I removed the decapping rod and nut, then I used BFH and a 1/4 inch extension to drive the case out.
- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
I tried every trick in the book for the 2 I had.
Those sumbitches were fused solid to the die. Was frustrating as hell, but such is the nature of the beast.
We're they carbide?
- Aug 17, 2011
- 26,177
Nah, the standard steel Lee dies.
I'd run out of my normal sizing wax, so had to resort to One-shot. Apparently I didn't have enough on them...
FIFY
Roadhawg
Bee Farmer
Anyone have a good source/price for Winchester Supreme 400 Grain Platinum Tip Hollow Points?
