50 AE reloading questions

[RooftopKorean]

I'm not sure if there are many of you who reload 50 AE, but I figured I'd share some of experience so far.

The Lee shell holder that comes with the die set doesn't like Hornady brass. It is less than 1mm thicker than the Starline and Speer brass but enough to cause issues.

I ordered an RCBS shell holder (#33). From everything I read online the RCBS shell holders will work in the Lee single stage press.

The crimp die on the Lee also isn't all that great so I also ordered a RCBS taper crimp die.

I also found different recipes online and in my books. Some reloads call or large pistol magnum primers and some with just large pistol primers.

Is it safe to use the primers interchangeablely or would there be safety concerns with overpressure due to the speed of ignition between standard and magnum primers?

 

[kev74]

The regular primers have less energy than the magnum primers.

You can use a standard primer in a recipe that calls for a magnum. At worst, you'd have a dud if the powder didn't light.

If you wanted to use a magnum primer in a load that calls for standard, I'd begin with the start load and work your way up.

I made some powder coated lead bullets for someone for 50AE, but I don't think he loaded any yet. I'm curious to see if there are any leading issues.

 

[RooftopKorean]

I wouldn't use any lead exposed bullets just because of the potential fouling issues with the gas port.

Magnum Research said bullets must have the lower half copper jacketed.

It's WAY too much of an expensive fuck up to chance it with lead exposed bullets. You have to buy a new barrel which is like 1/3 of the cost of the gun.

 

[FP1201]

You can find nit-picky differences in velocity between primers, but not enough for 99% of reloaders to give a crap about.
Jacketed bullets (at least the portion riding the Bore) need to be jacketed to prevent lead spalling from going into the Gas Ports.
If it's a DE there should be a Tool for cleaning/reaming the gas cylinder.
Plenty of good data, don't get too wrapped up in which bullet weight is best until you've got plenty of round through it, then you'll notice what shoots high/low/great/shitty.
I used to load and shoot .500 S&W and still shoot 12.7x42 (.50 Beowulf) and it's easy to get crazy, but totally unnecessary...get good with it first, then you can jump the Rails. 3-325-350 seems to work just fine, better yet stick with the 300 grain because the heavier bullets have to be seated really deep or the ogive will hit the rifling, not letting it close fully into battery and the reduced powder means lower velocity on an already slower bullet, and of course magazine width has to be considered.

 

[RooftopKorean]

You can find nit-picky differences in velocity between primers, but not enough for 99% of reloaders to give a crap about.
Jacketed bullets (at least the portion riding the Bore) need to be jacketed to prevent lead spalling from going into the Gas Ports.
If it's a DE there should be a Tool for cleaning/reaming the gas cylinder.
Plenty of good data, don't get too wrapped up in which bullet weight is best until you've got plenty of round through it, then you'll notice what shoots high/low/great/shitty.
I used to load and shoot .500 S&W and still shoot 12.7x42 (.50 Beowulf) and it's easy to get crazy, but totally unnecessary...get good with it first, then you can jump the Rails. 3-325-350 seems to work just fine, better yet stick with the 300 grain because the heavier bullets have to be seated really deep or the ogive will hit the rifling, not letting it close fully into battery and the reduced powder means lower velocity on an already slower bullet, and of course magazine width has to be considered.

I bought a box of 500 of 300gr flat nose FMJ.

 

[FP1201]

I bought a box of 500 of 300gr flat nose FMJ.

Probably a good choice.
What Primer does the Brass maker call for?
Winchester Primers say "for standard and magnum loads" I don't think the .50AE uses Rifle Primers...

 

[RooftopKorean]

It uses large pistol primers. Some load data calls for magnum and some for standard.

 

[FP1201]

It uses large pistol primers. Some load data calls for magnum and some for standard.

I realize there are differences to be expected between standard and magnum, but I don't think it would be very much...given the amount of powder, and it's on the slow end of Pistol/Shotgun powders, magnum might be the better choice IF available...that said, I think (I would have to check) but I'm reasonably sure that I've been using Winchester Large Pistol Primers (WLP) in all my 1/2" loads including 50/70 govt. using AA5744.