Best source of brass???

Gonna shoot NF FNS's and I am sure Mike will get me some optimal load data.

Any body got a favorite load & powder?

Also any reduced load data for cast?

Jamison brass. Graf has it in stock for $45.59.

Back when I had a Merkel .500, it regulated best with 95 gr. RL 15 with a Woodleigh 570 gr. soft. 1 grain less for solids.

A very nice reduced load is 80 gr RL 15 with a Woodleigh 450 gr. soft.

All with wads (1/2" O.D. backer rod cut to length).

Don

Jamison brass, F-215 primer, 92 grains R-15, 1/3 to 1/2 Kynoch foam wad, NF FN 570 grain bullet, 2080fps, Heym 500.

Plinker load:
450 Woodie, 82grains R-15, full Kynoch wad 1900 fps

The weight difference between Hornady and Jamison was ~20 grains but surprisingly, the water capacities were close enough to not matter. I am not at my data but one was 138.7 and the other was 140 water capacity.

The rims of the Jamison were less than the Hornady. The rim spec for the chamber is supposedly .040". The Jamison was .032 plus or minus .001. The Hornady was .036 +or- .001. My rile was headspaced for Jamison so only about a third of the Hornady factory rounds would fit. That will be no concern in any factory gun as I doubt anyone would chamber to less than CIP spec. Good to know though if someones has one that is loose or tight.

Lane, pick a cast you like and we can work one out. Montana Bullet Works has a good selection as well as some others.

In my K-gun I loaded alot( several hundred) of 600gr hard cast gaschecks in Bell, HDS and A-SQ brass with Fed 215GM's and 110 gr of AA-MRP(3100).

The Woodleigh SP 570's, Bell brass, H-4831, 113gr,

The FMJ seemed to like Imr-4350 105gr better

DuggaBoye,
What is your source of 600 gr gas-checked .510 cal bullets?

I was casting them from linotype.

NEI

Lane

I saw your email but I'm at work and can't directly answer it from here. Either of those would work OK but, again, I can come up with good loads but no telling if they will regulate or not. The best that will happen is a range of loads you can work with and you try to get it to regulate.

quote:

Originally posted by NFMike:
Lane

I saw your email but I'm at work and can't directly answer it from here. Either of those would work OK but, again, I can come up with good loads but no telling if they will regulate or not. The best that will happen is a range of loads you can work with and you try to get it to regulate.

I thought you quit working! I got your email. Thank you sir!

Actually NF I read somewhere that the Blaser 500NE would chamber Jamison brass but not any with a thicker rim. Can't remember where I heard that.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Actually NF I read somewhere that the Blaser 500NE would chamber Jamison brass but not any with a thicker rim. Can't remember where I heard that.
Peter.

Peter,
I thought for a minute that you had posted something to help me out!!!

Just adding what I had heard! I am hoping to learn from you here so I hope you will keep us posted. I have a Blaser 500NE coming in sometime. Soon hopefully. I plan on ordering some Jamison brass but might just wait until I have the gun in hand or until there is a "special" of some kind! I had posted something similar to you a few weeks ago ie. a post about dies, bullets, brass etc. for the 500NE
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Just adding what I had heard! I am hoping to learn from you here so I hope you will keep us posted. I have a Blaser 500NE coming in sometime. Soon hopefully. I plan on ordering some Jamison brass but might just wait until I have the gun in hand or until there is a "special" of some kind! I had posted something similar to you a few weeks ago ie. a post about dies, bullets, brass etc. for the 500NE
Peter.

Will keep you posted.

Just sent Mike some 525 gf GC'ed cast .511 bullets to work up a reduced load for .500 NE.

Does anyone know the exact bore diameterof the Merkel .500 NE???

I've got a copy of a Ross Seyfried article on loading the 500 3" BPE that has lots of loading info. His loading of 4198 and dacron is worth a try, as some nitro rifles will shoot a bpe load well. PM me an email address and I'll send you the article. Bob

quote:

Originally posted by bobc:
I've got a copy of a Ross Seyfried article on loading the 500 3" BPE that has lots of loading info. His loading of 4198 and dacron is worth a try, as some nitro rifles will shoot a bpe load well. PM me an email address and I'll send you the article. Bob

PM sent. My e-mail is ledvm@msn.com

Lane, send that data on to me also please. Bob, didn't BPE loads use a much lighter bullet to get the "E" speeds. Seem to recall something in the same vane as a 50-70 cartridge like 440-450 grains or so.

Yep, this articles goes into bullet weights etc. Always a chance lighter bullets won't come close to regulating, but I've had good luck with 300 grainers in 450-400 at bpe speeds. Worth a try. Or, try Tony's 75% rule, 75% of regulation bullet weight at full powder loads. I think these big bores are fairly forgiving, and the big wad of dacron on top of 4198 treats the bullets easy,like a big soft gas check. Bob

I never was terribly fond of dacron fluff. If filler is needed (and probably will), I like to use backer rod cut to specific lengths. they are cheap, easy, and repeatable.

I must use a filler with every load, regardless of powder in my 450 No2.

Whether full power loads, or my 75% rule loads, or Nitro for Black loads, I have used Dacron fiber filler, and 3 different kinds [densities] of foam cut out with a 50 BMG case, I have detected NO difference in performance, accuracy, velocity etc.

The KEY is the filler MUST be compressed.

You're correct that there isn't much difference between fillers (other than ease of use) but there is a definite increase in pressure with any filler. That can be easily compensated for but that does need to be done. BTW, the packer rod I use is a little undersized so I will use 5/8 for 50 cals and 1/2" for 45 cals.

quote:

That can be easily compensated for

By black magic?

Well I can compensate for it The rest of you are on your own

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I must use a filler with every load, regardless of powder in my 450 No2.

Whether full power loads, or my 75% rule loads, or Nitro for Black loads, I have used Dacron fiber filler, and 3 different kinds [densities] of foam cut out with a 50 BMG case, I have detected NO difference in performance, accuracy, velocity etc.

The KEY is the filler MUST be compressed.

I agree with Tony on filler in the larger cases like the #2s However, the word "SLIGHTLY' should precede the word "COMPRESSED" in the sentence above printed in RED. The whole idea of filler is to avoid the powder migrating away from the primer. With large volume cases origenally designed for Cordite. The newer powders take up far less space for the same velocity than with the Cordite. If filler is not used, flash over causes major pressure spikes.

The filler should be just enough so that the filler is SLIGHTLY COMPRESSED with the bullet seated to it's normal depth in the case, just enough to hold the powder in place. Compress too much and you reverse the process and cause pressure spikes.

.............Care must be taken with the loading of any cartridge, but more so for cartridges designed for cordite useing modern smokeless powders!

Hope you are enjoying the 500. I have been reloading for my 500 NE Rigby with 107gns RL 19 + Woodleigh 570 softs and solids. No filler. After 12 yrs with the rifle, I haven't come across a better load for it. Just started fooling with a reduced load of 45grs 5744 + 525gn Cast Perf. lead GC. No filler. I don't have a chrono but think it knock an Alpine(TX) javelina on its arse.

quote:

Originally posted by w5qzt:
Hope you are enjoying the 500. I have been reloading for my 500 NE Rigby with 107gns RL 19 + Woodleigh 570 softs and solids. No filler. After 12 yrs with the rifle, I haven't come across a better load for it. Just started fooling with a reduced load of 45grs 5744 + 525gn Cast Perf. lead GC. No filler. I don't have a chrono but think it knock an Alpine(TX) javelina on its arse.

w5qzt,
Do both barrels shoot to the same place??? Looking to shoot the exact same bullet with possibly 5744.

Thanks for the post!

Ledvm have you loaded for, and shot your 500 NE yet?
Peter.

Have loaded some shells...have not shot...will this weekend...will give you a report.

Mike at North Fork Bullets is working me up a load for cast bullets to practice with. Have a starting & max load for 570 gr NF FNS using RL-15 and another practice load of 450 gr Woodleigh's and RL-15. According to Mike Brady...RL-15 is the powder of choice in .500 NE with North Fork Bullets.

My e-mail address is ledvm@msn.com if you want specifics.

Ledvm,
The full loads using RL 19 and the Woodleighs shoots same point of impact _ Solid or soft. I used to have a soft in the right bbl and a solid in the left. Not to get off the subject, but after a buff charge a few years ago I now carry solids in both bbls- depending on the situation. I wanted to make sure the solids shot same poi in both bbls and they do. I have read that you reduce the powder load 3-4 grains on the solid, but that is not my experience.
I'm still working on the reduced load w/ the 5744.
I want to try the NF solids, given the excellent reports on them. What load using RL 15 works for you?
Best,
Jack

quote:

I want to try the NF solids, given the excellent reports on them. What load using RL 15 works for you?

Mike says start at 92.5 grains of R-15 wtih an absolute Max of 96 gr for the NF FNS bullet.

Testing by NFMike:

Jamison brass, CCI 200 primer, Cast Performance .510-500 (actual average ~ 528grs), AA5744 (of current manufacture)

40grs = 1409fps no pressure recorded (too low to move metal and affect resistance of the strain gage.
45grs = 1553fps same
50grs = 1705fps 23,300psiM43
55grs = 1806fps 25,900psiM43
60grs = 1986fps 32,100psiM43
65grs = 2125fps 38,900psiM43
65grs = 2115fps 38,900psiM43
65grs = 2094fps 36,900psiM43 (might not have gotten as good a crimp)

Something got lost in the translation here. 92.5 to 93 grains matches factory velocities and pressures (which BTW are dead on with CIP). You go beyond that and you are beyond CIP. Might not hurt a thing but you are definitely higher than factory. I'd start at 6grs under that. Somewhere in there, you will most likely regulate. No idea where you got 96 from; warn't from me.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

I want to try the NF solids, given the excellent reports on them. What load using RL 15 works for you?

Mike says start at 92.5 grains of R-15 wtih an absolute Max of 96 gr for the NF FNS bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by NFMike:
Something got lost in the translation here. 92.5 to 93 grains matches factory velocities and pressures (which BTW are dead on with CIP). You go beyond that and you are beyond CIP. Might not hurt a thing but you are definitely higher than factory. I'd start at 6grs under that. Somewhere in there, you will most likely regulate. No idea where you got 96 from; warn't from me.

So 92.5 to 93 grains is giving 2150 ft/s with a 570 gr. NF FPS at 41 kpsi? This is what Hornady factory DGS are doing too? Exactly 41 kpsi? In what length barrel?

Yup, that exactly matches the Hornady ammo for velocity and pressure (40K). That was from a 28" barrel.

So has anything really changed in the last one hundred years? Not really I guess!! God makes the rules!

It should also help to dispel rumors that you can have velocity without pressure.

The 500's case is a bit too small for trying to reduce pressures, if that is desired. Some adventurous soul could open up a 450 No. 2 case and call it the .450/.500 No.2 NE, after me!

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
Jamison brass, F-215 primer, 92 grains R-15, 1/3 to 1/2 Kynoch foam wad, NF FN 570 grain bullet, 2080fps, Heym 500.

Plinker load:
450 Woodie, 82grains R-15, full Kynoch wad 1900 fps

This also means Dirk is spot on with his 24" barrels.

quote:

The 500's case is a bit too small for trying to reduce pressures, if that is desired. Some adventurous soul could open up a 450 No. 2 case and call it the .450/.500 No.2 NE, after me!

I was thinking....the "500 Curmudgeon" !!!!!