Old Grumpy
Member
I have some bullets I wish to load for my .500 S&W Mag. They are cast 440gr FP and are not gas checked. I normally use Lyman's 49th for my starting data or possibly information from powder manufacturers. The problem I have is what data I am finding is for gas checked 440gr bullets. (Lyman's 49th only shows one cast load and it's for a 375gr GC bullet)
Since my bullets are un checked and my intended use is "plinking" I would like to develop a load using Unique. I've found some data for a "mild" load, again using a gas checked bullet of the same weight, that lists 10.0gr running about 970 fps.
I believe gas checks help protect the base of the cast bullet from the hot gas. They are normally found in bullets intended for much higher velocities than I intend to use. Given the case volume of the .500 S&W, the lower pressures I will be having are gas checks required? As far as bullet resistance going down the bore are gas checked bullets measurably different than non gas checked bullets?
Does anyone have any experience loading for the .500 S&W Mag with non gas checked lead bullets?
I would like to use Unique (I've got a bunch) but in a pinch I also have 2400, AA #9, IMR 4756, Blue Dot, Lil'Gun, Titegroup, and W231.
Again my intended use is mild target/plinking loads.
Thanks for any insight you have to offer.
Grumpy
Since my bullets are un checked and my intended use is "plinking" I would like to develop a load using Unique. I've found some data for a "mild" load, again using a gas checked bullet of the same weight, that lists 10.0gr running about 970 fps.
I believe gas checks help protect the base of the cast bullet from the hot gas. They are normally found in bullets intended for much higher velocities than I intend to use. Given the case volume of the .500 S&W, the lower pressures I will be having are gas checks required? As far as bullet resistance going down the bore are gas checked bullets measurably different than non gas checked bullets?
Does anyone have any experience loading for the .500 S&W Mag with non gas checked lead bullets?
I would like to use Unique (I've got a bunch) but in a pinch I also have 2400, AA #9, IMR 4756, Blue Dot, Lil'Gun, Titegroup, and W231.
Again my intended use is mild target/plinking loads.
Thanks for any insight you have to offer.
Grumpy