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Aluminum bullets in 600 OK?

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09 April 2010, 03:38
Matthewx
Aluminum bullets in 600 OK?
Does anyone have experience or advice concerning using aluminum bullets?

A friend offered to make me some the same physical size as the Barnes 900gr banded solid. I would be interested in trying them if it would not do bore damage but I really know nothing of aluminum or why it is not used.

Matthew
09 April 2010, 04:54
jeffeosso
PM rob .. i think he made some ..


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com
09 April 2010, 04:56
fourbore
My inital reaction - low sectional density, useless, etc...

Then I ran down to my basement shop and measured a pile spare aluminum rod. A nice stash of 1/2 inch rods - more/less 0.498 to 0.502, almost 0.505 (as in Gibbs!) If I cut bands, it should upset another few thousand. Or I could roll in the bands with knurling tool.

Given the cost of big bullets, this is an interesting question.

My concern would be fouling. Aluminum has a terrible property when machined it can weld itself to the cutter (a form of galling). I hate to see that happen to a rifle bore. There are a lot of different al alloys. Another big variable.
09 April 2010, 05:10
Robgunbuilder
I've had pretty good results with Aluminum bullets and seen some spectacular velocities. They seem to work best in the bigger bores. Pm me.-Rob


Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
09 April 2010, 05:11
boom stick
I have been one of the biggest proponents for big bore aluminum bullets. Even at about 1/4 the weight of copper bullets a 300 grain aluminum .620 bullet at 4,000 fps will do a helova lot of damage to a pig or deer. With a 1/2 inch meplat it will act as a pre expanded 375 HH bullet but higher velocity. Trouble is it will be limited to under 200 yards but that is 90% of hunting ranges. If you make them a bore rider design and coat them I don't think there will be any issue. Rob has the program for his copper bore rider and that would be perfect. Lehigh makes 458 hollow point bullets in 100 grain weight.


577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
09 April 2010, 05:14
boom stick
Lol Rob beat me to the post by 1 min.
Rob, Did you make or chrony any 620's?


577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
09 April 2010, 05:25
fourbore
Matt, It will be interesting if you post your results later.

Good luck.
09 April 2010, 08:58
drewhenrytnt
quote:
300 grain aluminum .620 bullet at 4,000 fps



shocker

One more payment and I'll have my 600OK. That is phenominal velocity! I can't wait.


We Band of Bubbas
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09 April 2010, 09:09
boom stick
Since the bullet weight and shape of an aluminum 620 bullet just theory right now so is the velocity... but damn quick. testing needs to be done but see the velocities in the terminal performance thread with the 100 grain 458 bullets to get an idea.

quote:
Originally posted by drewhenrytnt:
quote:
300 grain aluminum .620 bullet at 4,000 fps



shocker

One more payment and I'll have my 600OK. That is phenominal velocity! I can't wait.



577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
09 April 2010, 20:03
Robgunbuilder
Boomie- Not an idea, its a reality.I used my 750 gr cup point design for the aluminum bullets. The machine doesn't care if its fed 5/8 Al, Cu or Brass. I'll post some pics when I get a chance as well as some info. This bullet design really feeds well. They are also alot cheaper than brass or cu to make. There was some Al fouling in the bore, but it scraped out easily.
As a note, I've been developing a brass/Al bullet design for my beloved .50AE pistol. What a hoot that is! With very little effort you can see 3000fps from a pistol! Water Jugs VAPORIZE! Recoil is so minimal, the Desert Eagle is totally transformed. At close range, in a SD scenario it would be utterly unsurvivable. Ive recovered some bullets and they look better than you'd expect too.-Rob


Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
09 April 2010, 23:28
boom stick
Rob... Awesome news! I have been thinking about how well they would do in a pistol. Was thinking that aluminum bullets in a 45 ACP would be a good seller in say 85 grains or the weight of a 9MM bullet but going FAAAASSSSSTTTTT!!! I bet a lot of 50 AE shooters would love to shoot those too!!!
Maybe get some bullets over to michael458 to do some testing in with his variety of .500 carts. He has a 50 super short for his DPMS that those 500 bullets would be ideal for.

So what do your bore riders weigh? about 175 grains? some 300 grainers would be long but man would they be a fast hammer in the 600!

YES PLEASE!!! PICS AND DATA!!!

quote:
Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Boomie- Not an idea, its a reality.I used my 750 gr cup point design for the aluminum bullets. The machine doesn't care if its fed 5/8 Al, Cu or Brass. I'll post some pics when I get a chance as well as some info. This bullet design really feeds well. They are also alot cheaper than brass or cu to make. There was some Al fouling in the bore, but it scraped out easily.
As a note, I've been developing a brass/Al bullet design for my beloved .50AE pistol. What a hoot that is! With very little effort you can see 3000fps from a pistol! Water Jugs VAPORIZE! Recoil is so minimal, the Desert Eagle is totally transformed. At close range, in a SD scenario it would be utterly unsurvivable. Ive recovered some bullets and they look better than you'd expect too.-Rob



577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)