Bullet Diameter for Reeder .50 Alaskan Encore Barrels
BigBoreFan
[subject]
Thursday, September 19, 2019, 19:52 (1677 days ago)
Howdy,
I took delivery of my .50 Alaskan Encore barrel made by one Reeder Custom Guns. As I am researching reloading, I am seeing a wide variety of bullet diameters that are available, from 0.509" to 0.512". There were even a few that went as wide as 0.514". I figured there would be no better place to ask about my Reeder barrel. So what diameters are safe and reliable for this barrel? Thanks for the help.
Usually- .510 for jacketed and .511 for cast bullets.
Sean Harper
[subject]
Thursday, September 19, 2019, 20:03 (1677 days ago) @ BigBoreFan
- No text -
Thanks. So...
BigBoreFan
[subject]
Thursday, September 19, 2019, 22:06 (1677 days ago) @ Sean Harper
Matt's Bullets sells some hardcast at .512" for a very good price. But it sounds like I should give them a pass.
I wouldnt think the .001" more would be an issue
Amede
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 03:56 (1677 days ago) @ BigBoreFan
But you can always get a .510" Lee sizer die and run them through for cheap.
I use .512" bullets in my 50 Alaskan and 50-70s...
Huey
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 04:12 (1677 days ago) @ Amede
It's not an issue. The only time they can be an issue is in revolvers with very tight throats.
I have moulds that throw .515 bullets
WB
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 06:27 (1677 days ago) @ Huey
The Lyman 450 only offers a .512 sizer or something like that so I use it to lube mainly. I have to make a final pass through a Lee .510” sizer for my snug throated .510 GNR.
YES, $25 and you have a unlimited supply of .510".
WB
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 11:46 (1677 days ago) @ Amede
Lightly lubricating jacketed .512" lead core bullets will easy pass through the LEE die and swage down to .510". I do that all the time to .458" to .452", .358" to 9mm, .312-.314" to .309". With a good press and some thought, you can go down about 0.010" on a swage down, but that is absolutely it. I refer to making .38-40 and .401 projectiles from lightly lubed .410". My press is old and not flimsy.
That's a great idea
BigBoreFan
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 15:16 (1677 days ago) @ WB
This way I can keep all bullets at 0.510" like Gary is recommending.
that extra thou is enough to bulge the cases so personally
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 10:29 (1677 days ago) @ BigBoreFan
I would pass. A good deal that won't work in my gun isn't such a good deal.
Thanks, Gary
BigBoreFan
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 11:20 (1677 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
I figured this was probably true, and I'm grateful to have that confirmed by the builder. I might do the 0.511" on cast, but I'm gonna steer clear of the 0.512" bullets.
I was surprised. Most of the Matt's Bullets I've ordered have been exactly on caliber, but they started offering the 0.512" in the last year. Everything else they make stays where it should.
remember this is just the way I do it. That doesn't mean
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 17:47 (1677 days ago) @ BigBoreFan
it is the only way or the right way, just the way I have done it for many years and it works for me.
I always stay with the actual caliber so in my 50 AK
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Friday, September 20, 2019, 10:28 (1677 days ago) @ BigBoreFan
rounds I use .510 size bullets, whether lead or jacketed. Some chambers are tight and going with a lead bullet of .511 or .512 can cause brass to bulge and that causes feeding issues or extraction issues. My recommendation is stay with the actual caliber in bullets, .510.