Loads for .50 BMG:
(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads, you should use 10% less to start.) (See
note on Powders below or read all about various
Powders.) Bullet diameter is
.510 (some are .511) and this is the Big Boy used in the Browning Machine Gun,
ground, aircraft, and sniper rifles that reach a LONG way out.
While there are loads below for the 50 BMG, reloading it requires a bit more
care than most other ammo reloading. Here is a link to a shooter that shows in
detail with good photos, steps he takes to prepare the cases and reload the
ammo.
http://www.hevanet.com/temple/50reloading.html
And I recommend you visit the 50 Caliber Shooters Association. Click the
photo:
(Note “V” – “Vihtavuori” powders)
647 grain Speer FMJ-BT
| V-N170 | 201.1 gr. | 2,629 fps | (start) |
| V-N170 | 227.8 gr. | 2,932 | (Max) |
| V-24N41 | 213.8 gr. | 2,688 | (start) |
| V-24N41 | 227.2 gr. | 2,915 | (Max) |
| V-20N29 | 239.7 gr. | 2,744 | (start) |
| 256.3 gr. | V-20N29 | 3,024 | (Max) |
650 grain M-33
| Hodgdon US 869 | 265 gr. | 3,155 fps | (Maximum) |
655 grain ADI-FMJ
| H-50BMG | 248.0 gr. | 3,029 FPS | (Max) |
(Start ~ 224 gr. of 50BMG)
700 grain Barnes SOLID
| V-24N41 | 211.2 gr. | 2,652 | (start) |
| V-24N41 | 231.5 gr. | 2,910 | (Max) |
| V-20N29 | 235.6 gr. | 2,687 | (start) |
| V-20N29 | 256.3 gr. | 2,978 | (Max) |
750 grain Hornady A-Max
| Hodgdon US 869 | 185.0 gr. | 2,387 | (start) |
| Hodgdon US 869 | 215.0 gr. | 2,725 | |
| Hodgdon US 869 | 250.0 gr. | 2,944 | (Max) |
| H-50BMG | 233.0 gr. | 2,800 | (Max) |
| Hodgdon H-870 | 187.0 gr. | 2,322 | (start) |
| Hodgdon H-870 | 222.0 gr. | 2,782 | (MAX) |
| Accurate 8700 | 195.0 gr. | 2,322 | |
| Accurate 8700 | 218.0 gr | 2,700. | (MAX) |
| V-N170 | 190.0 gr. | 2,490 fps | (start) |
| V-N170 | 215.8 gr. | 2,763 | (Max) |
| V-24N41 | 200.2 gr. | 2,508 | (start) |
| V-24N41 | 218.0 gr. | 2,765 | (Max) |
| V-20N29 | 225.2 gr. | 2,556 | (start) |
| V-20N29 | 246.4 gr. | 2,829 | (Max) |
(Start ~ 210 gr. of 50BMG)
800 grain Bar Solid (Barnes)
| H-US-869 | 250.0 gr. | 2,895 | (Max) |
| H-50BMG | 225.0 gr. | 2,725 | (Max) |
| V-24N41 | 181.9 gr. | 2,369 | (start) |
| V-24N41 | 198.1 gr. | 2,592 | (Max) |
| V-20N29 | 219.1 gr. | 2,557 | (start) |
| V-20N29 | 245.0 gr . | 2,788 | (Max) |
Discussion:
Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
US869, H50BMG are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company (owned by Hodgdon).
Ramshot and Accurate Powder Company (Sub of Western Powders, Inc.)
Vihtavuori powders: For .50 BMG there are two special Vihtavuori reloading
powders available: 24N41 and 20N29. They are, like N100 series, single base
surface treated powders. Their burning rate is slower and grain size larger
than that of the N100 series rifle reloading powders.
References: Vihtavuori & Hodgdon web sites (2008), Accurate Arms Co. 1996
Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s
Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester
Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver
Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company,reloading booklet
(1995)& Internet web site 2008 – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading
special calibers and personal loads where noted. Return to previous Page
