Serbu Firearms, Inc., Tampa, Florida

danoburbs · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:45 am Post subject: Reloading data

Where can I get info for powder charges on some of these odd weight military surplus bullets? I can handle 647 and have worked up some of my own loads. But I wonder about 633,708 and others.
_________________
He who is silent is understood to consent.

United we bargain.
Divided we beg.

jreinke · Newbie Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Wisconsin

According to the Army's reloading manual, TM 43-0001-27, M2 Ball & M2 AP(710 Gr) are loaded with 235 Gr of WC 860 (MV 2810), M33 Ball (647-662 Gr) is loaded with 235 Gr of WC 860 (MV 2910). WC 860 is roughly equivalent to H870 and is also available surplus. I have found that M2 AP (Armor Piercing) to be the most accurate of the surplus bullets available, so that's all I load. Hope this helps.

mrkubota · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

It's NOT a good idea to use the the Army's reloading manual verbatim!

That data is only a general guide geared toward ammo for the M2HB machine guns!

Those loads are very hot for a BFG and may be WAY too hot if the lot of surplus powder you got hasn't been tested to be the SAME burn rate as the original load specified.

That said, for any of those projos you should be safe STARTING in the 210-215gr of either 5010 or 860 and 215-220gr of the 872 surplus powders.

For the 750gr AMAX or mil-surp AP bullets in the BFG, I've found that 215gr of 5010 works very well.

For the 800gr Spotter/Tracer projos you should limit your loads to 170-190gr of 5010 or 860.

For other 800gr solids, I've had good luck with 216gr of VV20N29.

Shoot Safe, have fun!

//Ben
_________________
Early BFG-50 in .50DTC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14RUn8AnQxY

danoburbs · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:33 am Post subject:

Wow! I forgot to check this post! Thanks for the info. I ordered 500
647 ball projos. I have a load for those using H50BMG. What do you
guys think of H50BMG? I haven't really tried anything else as of yet.
I would like to try surplus powder but it makes me nervous. Shocked

Also, do you have the RCBS AmmoMaster? What do you think of the priming unit? I was thinking of a second press set up just for priming.
_________________
He who is silent is understood to consent.

United we bargain.
Divided we beg.

dastrieg · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:21 am Post subject:

I use a lot of the surplus powder no problems with it
_________________
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....

mrkubota · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:38 am Post subject:

The H50BMG powder works great.... very consistent no matter the environment. Burns a little faster than 5010.

VV powder will vary if it gets too hot or cold, but is slower and is very comfortable to shoot.

I like the IMR5010 powder for everything but match ammo. Inexpensive, reliable, fairly consistent. But, you do have to work up a new load EVERY time you buy a new lot of the stuff. So, if you do buy some, buy several jugs from the same batch so you don't have to start over too soon.
(saves on the hazmat charges as well....)

I use a Hornady press for sizing and seating and an AmmoMaster to prime. It just saves set up time for me.

The new Lee 'Classic' press could do the same thing for 1/2 the cost.

The M2 priming tool is supposed to be the best, but it's very expensive.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/general/burnratechart.php

The new US-869 powder is supposed to be pretty good too:
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/US869data-01-11-2006.pdf
_________________
Early BFG-50 in .50DTC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14RUn8AnQxY

dastrieg · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:42 am Post subject:

Hey lets face it if you are not shooting over 500 yards going over 200 GR of powder is just a waste of powder i use surplus powder and pulled bullets for most of my shooting, And amax's for when i want to show off.Other than that surplus is the only way to go!
_________________
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....