I got hold of some hardcast (22brinell) gaschecked 612 grain bullets that I plan to load for my .500A2.

-What is maximum speed recomended for this kind of bullets in order to not get any leading problems?

-What powder should I use and how much? (I got Vihtavuori powders but any sugestions apriciatet in order to get a starting load)

I allso have some soft lead no gascheck bullets, think it was 400-450 grain. What is max velocity recomended for those?

22b means you can probalby get to 2200 with them (nothing to do with the brinell, just my experience with that hard) ... but aim for 1800, and you can shoot all day long without leading. at 2200, it's clean the barrel after 5 to 10 shots (which generally means running a banded solid down the pipe to me)

if you have quickload, that the best starting point, as my loads are for the 500 jeffe ... but other posters here have the A2

Thomas, one of the more common powders for reduced loads in the big cases is Accurate Arms XMP-5744. You can call them up and their ballitician will help you derive starting loads for just about any case but ususally they start at 45% of case capacity by volume. It is designed to be used without fillers and is not position-sensitive.

In the 500 A-Square according to Quickload, that is about 47 grains and a little over 1500 fps. 70 grains will get you right at 2000 fps and only 45,400 psi.

quote:

soft lead no gascheck bullets, think it was 400-450 grain. What is max velocity recomended for those?

That depends on how soft the lead is and how good is the bullet lube. Could be as low as 700fps up to over 1300fps. Maybe fun to load them with blk powder and go rabbit hunting. Just to do something very different.

Hog Killer

Try 50 grs of XMP-5744, NO FILLER, and use SPG lube on the bullets.-Rob

What's your barrel twist? Fast twist tubes are more prone to leading due to the increased sheer placed on the bullet.

In a 1-15 twist, you'll have no problems with leading even at 2200 fps, but with a 1-10 twist, you might mind you need to keep in the 2000 fps range.

I have used a Lyman 515141 and H 870 for several years now.

My rifle is another of the ugly duckling sorts that are generally snubbed here but,,it works for me. Compared to NOT owning a 500A2 I will just go with what I have.

"we band of ugly rifle owners"

Sorry for the late answer.. Twist is 1:18.

Thanks for all input so far

Jeffeosso,
Noticed you mentioned your work was with the 500J, any chance of posting or sending me a PM with your loads please?

H&H