first 50-70 pistol chronograph results

[dubber123]

Just finished shooting a few loads out of the new 6 1/2" 50-70 barrel.  With Blue Dot powder I got up to 835 fps. with the 435 gr. WFN.  This load still appears mild, so my goal of 850 fps. doesn't look to be a problem.  My dies will only size the neck to .513", and this is causing problems with my .511" bullets.  Accuracy isn't anything to brag about, I believe because of the die problem.  I tried my 390 gr. wadcutter unsized (.512"), stuck out to the rifling, and they cut the groups in half, (2" @ 35 yds).  This was a mild load with Unique, but made me feel better about the accuracy.  A hotter load with Unique and a 500 gr. bullet shot even better, mainly because I shot them at .515" and the cases would at least hold onto them a bit.  I didn't  think 500's would shoot at all out of the short barrel so that is really cool.  Maybe I can get 850 fps. with them!  Thanks

[rickyp]

where do you get the brass and dies from?

[Lone Star]

I never tried pistol powders in my 14" SSK .50-70 barrel, I'll have to dust it off and try BlueDot.  Be careful with this huge diameter case and fast powders, pressures don't have to rise too far to give sticky extraction.  I got to 1300 fps with the 515s using AA2015 and stopped due to recoil.....

I got my brass from Dixie Gun Works years ago, the dies were a stock item from Lyman.

[rickyp]

I bet this round would really do a number on a deer

[dubber123]

Thanks for the interest, The barrel came from Bullberry Barrel Works in Utah, I believe their barrels hold the world record long range pistol group, something like 2 1/2" at 500 meters!.  This is the first barrel from them, and the quality and finish looks first class.  They did however tap only for the rear sight, and not the front, even after giving them written measurements in my initial order.  I guess even the pros goof sometimes.  My friend did a great job of installing the front sight.  The brass is from Starline and looks good, and is very reasonable.  Thanks to Lone Star for the loading tips, I will have to try the AA powder in the short tube.  I can see you stopping because of recoil, this 6 1/2 incher starts to kick pretty good even with the 435's @ 835 fps.  That said, I am going to load some hotter 500 grainers tonight, as they actually show the most accuracy potential right now , keep you posted.  Thanks again.

[dubber123]

Rickyp, I got my dies from RCBS, mainly because I never saw a bad set until now.  My set sizes the brass only to .514", even after turning the expander down to .508.  I can seat even .515" bullets by hand, which isn't good.  The .511" bullets I intend to shoot fall into the case unless the bullet lube sticks a little.  Not good for consistency, or accuracy.  I am sure RCBS will make them good, but what a pain.

[rickyp]

Did you try and sizing your brass with out the decapping stem installed?
and if it still doesnt size it down enough send it back to RCBS and have them take care of it for you

[dubber123]

Yes, I not only tried that, but I milled the sizer down to let the brass go in as far as possible.  These dies still size almost .514" inside.  The expander was oversize at over .511", so I turned it down to .508", which should be more than small enough.  The other dies seem fine, it's just the sizer.  I'll have a new post in a few with some new accuracy findings.  Very interesting.  (at least to me!).  Thanks.

[Lone Star]

I reviewed my notes, and with the 50-515 RCBS bullet sized to .512" (they weigh 540 grains in my alloy) I got up to 1187 fps.  The same bullet hollowpointed to 475 grains reached 1312 fps - this was my moose load, and it worked very well on the one moose I shot with it.  That load about duplicates the old black powder load for the .50-90 in a rifle - plenty powerful on both ends!  AA2015 gave the best overall results with most bullet weights.

I loaded the Barnes 450-grain SP to 1470 fps, with fair accuracy, but recoil starts to get brutal.  The worst was the 540 RCBS at 1187 fps, those hurt!  The 650-750 FMJ bullets at 800-900 weren't bad, lots of fun in fact.  But after 20 shots it is time to pull out another barrel....

[dubber123]

It sounds like you got a lot more power out of yours than I will ever get.  I do believe that 450 grainers at 900 fps. are entirely possible, and as of yet I don't know what I can get out of my 500 grainers.  The 500's kick quite a bit but I have shot my .475 Linebaugh Freedom Arms with 440 grainers @ 1350 quite a bit and the 50-70 isn't that bad yet.  The .475 is a 4/34" non ported model that gets quite "snappy".  With a loose grip off the bench, the front sight shaves plastic off my right ear muff!  Thanks.

[Scott T]

Sounds like you are on a good track here.  I have long been a proponent of a 400plus grain bullet at 800-900fps for just about anything.  So far, I cannot complain.

[rickyp]

a bullet that big going that slow you should be able to see it flying trough the air

[Lone Star]

Actually I've watched hundreds of .41 and .44 bullets at 1200+ fps travel through the air spotting in silhouette matches.  Most were through spotting scopes, but many were with naked eyes if the light was behind me.

I get the higher velocities because of the 14" barrel, but even the short tube should still be effective at closer ranges. The low velocities are the reason for the high shots - use lighter bullets or speed them up a bit, but be careful of the latter approach as breech thrust can rise quickly with this large case diameter.

[dubber123]

Back again, (for better or worse I guess!), I don,t know rickyp if you can see these in flight, as when shooting off the bench the recoil blocks my view for a second after firing.  Like Lone Star said, I have seen lots of even faster cartridges show their bullets in flight, although usually over longer distances.  This is really cool to watch!  A friend was shooting his 50-70 carbine with black powder a few months ago up to the club @ 200 meters, and the bullets were easily visible.  Scott t says these big slow bullets work great on game, and I have heard this a lot before, which was one reason I went with the 50-70.  I have chronographed some mild 500 gr. loads that easily broke 820 fps. out of the 6 1/2 inch barrel.  Pressures still appear mild, so 900-1000 fps. might be possible, although this is really more than I wanted out of this gun.  With the iron sights, small wood grips and light weight, even 820 with 500's is starting to kick!  Thanks for the interest !  Back again soon.