Author Topic: 50 Alaskan  (Read 1617 times)

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Offline tanoose

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50 Alaskan
« on: January 01, 2007, 07:04:33 AM »
Is the 500 S&W a .500 or .510 dia. i am asking because i was wondering if one could rechamber a handi rifle to 50 Alaskan . I dont remember ever talking about the 50 on the forum before , sorry if i missed it. Tanoose

Offline billy_56081

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2007, 07:42:55 AM »
I beleave its .500. But I'm not sure. I'm sure quick will answer this shortly.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2007, 07:57:58 AM »
It is indeed .500, that's been the problem all along, it's also been discussed many times, a custom die set to handle the .500 bullets instead of .510" would be needed to work with a rechambered .500 Handi. But in all fairness, the .45-70 gives up nothing to the .50 Alaskan if you look at the ballistics.

Hodgdon shows the 50 Alaskan's top load of 525gr cast gas checked at 1852fps in a 22" barrel. The 525gr BTB Piledriver does 1820fps in the same 22" barrel.

Tim

http://beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/archive_open_sight.htm/21

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Offline knight0334

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2007, 11:23:18 AM »
Theres already a wildcat of the 50 Alaskan, its the 500 Martin by Lee Martin.  Necked down from .510" to .500".   I've proposed the Martin a number of times, but never got around to do it.

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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2007, 11:43:15 AM »
Regardless of what it's called, custom dies are still required, the last time I checked on that, they're about $130, but not so much when considering what some of us have paid for custom Handis in something a little different!! ;D

Tim
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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2007, 11:45:58 AM »
I wish the .500 S&W was the correct bore for a .50-70 rechamber job.

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2007, 11:49:27 AM »
So do a lot of people, but it isn't so.... :'(

Tim
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Offline tanoose

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2007, 02:29:29 PM »
What about the 450 Alaskan  looking at ballistics the 350 does 2415 with 67.0 of IMR3031 and with 66.0 of IMR4064  it shows the 500 at 2005 FPS. Whats  the top velocity in the 45/70 with a 350 grain bullet ? I myself load 45.0 and 47.0 of IMR4198 for 1900 and 2000 in a 22". And i once chronyed the 350 Hornady RN out of a Marlin 1895SS 22" at 2130 and i beleive that was 50.0 of IMR4198, but i now never go past 47.0 of IMR4198

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2007, 03:03:23 PM »
Hodgdon shows the 350gr Hornady RN at 2300fps in a 24" barrel in the Ruger data at 50kcup. Throating the .45-70 to increase COL and case capacity would decrease pressure and increase velocity if one wanted to improve on that in a Handi or a BC.  There have been a few threads on that subject at AR in the Big Bore forum. Another alternative would be to just rechamber to .45-90 and be done with it, much higher velocity and even lower pressure. The H&R NEF isn't restricted to the OAL problem of the leverguns, the reason why the 450 Alaskan was created. ;) Given the non-availability of 348 Winchester brass, the .45-90 looks a bit more inviting.

Tim

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w450alask.html





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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2007, 07:39:00 PM »
Speaking of the 500 S&W. Has anyone here bought one? If so what is the feedback on it? Thanks, Charlie
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #10 on: January 01, 2007, 08:11:39 PM »
Got one, but haven't shot it yet. Here's a good thread I dug up for ya Charlie! ;)

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,101802.msg1098274003.html#msg1098274003
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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2007, 12:57:04 AM »
Thanks Tim, you allways have a good thread. I appreciate your help.
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Offline tanoose

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2007, 01:19:38 PM »
Cant seem to find any load data for the 45/90 is there a site i can check out. Also can the 45/70 still be fired from the 45/90 once a rechamber is done?

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2007, 01:42:18 PM »
All the data I know of is limited to trapdoor levels, but of course, in a modern rifle, you could work up loads that would exceed those listed cuz they're for original rifle designs. Smokinjoe5150 hopefully will offer his experience as he loads for the .45-90. Yes you can shoot 45-70 ammo in a .45-90, but I wouldn't want to make a habit of it. If you right click the pics, and save them to your PC, you can read the saved versions much better.

Tim

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/ObsoleteCartridges/45%2090%20Winchester%20page%20363.pdf



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Offline tanoose

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2007, 02:00:17 PM »
Thanks for the info Tim .

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 50 Alaskan
« Reply #15 on: January 08, 2007, 12:04:35 PM »
Just found this article for ya on leverguns chamberings...

Tim

http://www.levergun.com/Marlin/index.html
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain