Hello all!
I just finally broke down and bought a new AR50 Armalite. Armalite made me a deal I could not refuse! As a licensed dealer with access to a public range. They have a range program. The cost for one {1} AR50 brand new to be used as a demo rifle and must be kept for a period of one yr before you can sell it is about $1,232.00 I could not pass up the deal on it.
I have been reloading ammunition for 30 yrs plus. I usually reload between 25,000 and 35,000 rds a yr. So reloading is not new to me. If anyone has a good loading data for the 50 BMG using IMR5010 military powder I would aprreciate any help. I was able to get some powder from a buddy who owed me a favor, a 150lb drum. I have a good supply of assorted sized pulldown bullets, API 4,000 APIT 300, AP 300, Tracer 200, Incendary 300, FMJ 1,100 ranging from 3 cents to 15 cents a piece. I was also able to come up with 1,200 primed military brass for 18 cents a piece. I am using hurtenbergger primers as well.
I was out yesterday breaking the BBL in. One shot then clean it for the first 10 rds then 3 shot groups for the next 50 shots with cleaning every 3 shots. 29 shots through it so far. The solvent I am using is Montana Extreme. I put up a target at 30 yds to just get it on paper. I was more interested in breaking the bbl in vs getting the scope adjusted. The rds were cutting the same bullet holes at 30 yds. The load was 210grns of 5010 with an API bullet. We have a steel gong, or had a steel gong at 100 yds. <grin> 1 1/2" thick X 12" circle plate on a chain. After about 8 hits with assorted ammo we broke the plate. Which I might add had been well hit on other days as well! <grin>
I was EXTREMLY pleased with the recoil or lack of it in the AR50. A person could shoot a 100 rds through it in a day and not feel the worse for wear! The muzzel blast, well like any 50, it is an event when you pull the trigger! The recoil was more than my M16 on semi but alot less then my .308 Rem. Police sniper. I mounted a 8X24X50MM with a lited rectical. I also opted for the heavier Prince bipod as well.
All suggestions are welcomed. I am an old shooter, but a new 50 cal shooter.
I have 2 press's set up for the 50 cal. I have a Lee that I bought with dies and shell holder and priming as well as a RCBS ammo Master I converted to a single stage for the 50 BMG, I am also using lee's factory crimp die as well. I am using the hornady powder measure for 50 cal. Case trimmer is lee's used with a drill. I made my loading blocks out of oak, drilled them and varnished them. My dillion vibrating tumbler is getting a real work out as well! <grin>
5.56
I just finally broke down and bought a new AR50 Armalite. Armalite made me a deal I could not refuse! As a licensed dealer with access to a public range. They have a range program. The cost for one {1} AR50 brand new to be used as a demo rifle and must be kept for a period of one yr before you can sell it is about $1,232.00 I could not pass up the deal on it.
I have been reloading ammunition for 30 yrs plus. I usually reload between 25,000 and 35,000 rds a yr. So reloading is not new to me. If anyone has a good loading data for the 50 BMG using IMR5010 military powder I would aprreciate any help. I was able to get some powder from a buddy who owed me a favor, a 150lb drum. I have a good supply of assorted sized pulldown bullets, API 4,000 APIT 300, AP 300, Tracer 200, Incendary 300, FMJ 1,100 ranging from 3 cents to 15 cents a piece. I was also able to come up with 1,200 primed military brass for 18 cents a piece. I am using hurtenbergger primers as well.
I was out yesterday breaking the BBL in. One shot then clean it for the first 10 rds then 3 shot groups for the next 50 shots with cleaning every 3 shots. 29 shots through it so far. The solvent I am using is Montana Extreme. I put up a target at 30 yds to just get it on paper. I was more interested in breaking the bbl in vs getting the scope adjusted. The rds were cutting the same bullet holes at 30 yds. The load was 210grns of 5010 with an API bullet. We have a steel gong, or had a steel gong at 100 yds. <grin> 1 1/2" thick X 12" circle plate on a chain. After about 8 hits with assorted ammo we broke the plate. Which I might add had been well hit on other days as well! <grin>
I was EXTREMLY pleased with the recoil or lack of it in the AR50. A person could shoot a 100 rds through it in a day and not feel the worse for wear! The muzzel blast, well like any 50, it is an event when you pull the trigger! The recoil was more than my M16 on semi but alot less then my .308 Rem. Police sniper. I mounted a 8X24X50MM with a lited rectical. I also opted for the heavier Prince bipod as well.
All suggestions are welcomed. I am an old shooter, but a new 50 cal shooter.
I have 2 press's set up for the 50 cal. I have a Lee that I bought with dies and shell holder and priming as well as a RCBS ammo Master I converted to a single stage for the 50 BMG, I am also using lee's factory crimp die as well. I am using the hornady powder measure for 50 cal. Case trimmer is lee's used with a drill. I made my loading blocks out of oak, drilled them and varnished them. My dillion vibrating tumbler is getting a real work out as well! <grin>
5.56
hex key. He also makes bullets for reloading, he has about 12K solids in stock right now. They were made in the profile of an M33 ball projo and results so far are very good. If you want to talk to him you can email him at 
those M2s are brutal on the ears though
