.499 LWR reloading
Does anyone have any load data on the .499 LWR ??
0
-
and just what IS a .499 LWR ??? 0 -
MIKE WISKEY,
http://www.ammo-one.com/499LWR.html
LW15.499: "The Mini 50"
Leitner-Wise presents the LW15.499. Quality, functionality and engineering integrity above all else: The embodiment of the Leitner-Wise philosophy
From the outside, the LW15.499 is not particularly spectacular; it is cool and functional. Perhaps this explains our preference for a model number designation rather than some faddish name, but what really counts here are the inner qualities.
The LW15.499 is an evolutionary development of the M16 direct gas, rotary bolt rifle combining the proven reliability of this system with a Leitner-Wise purpose designed .50-caliber cartridge and rifle. The result of this collaboration is a lightweight and dependable weapon system that develops overwhelming terminal ballistics. It should be understood however, that the LW15.499 is a complete weapon system in its own right and not a mere conversion of the 5.56 mm gun.
The technological ingenuity shown in developing the LW15.499 was of historic proportions. The first prototype was originally designed and built in 1994 as a proof of concept demonstrator, developed from the outset to overcome the recognized lack of ?_~knock-down?_T power of the 5.56 mm weapon system. This it achieved, but it also showed that the platform could not exist as a conversion; more time would need to be spent on developing the sub-systems and understanding how the LW15.499 actually worked. As a result, the LW15.499 was shelved as a project until 1998 when it was decided to fully develop and manufacture a commercial variant for general sale.
Two years later, Leitner-Wise presented the first 10 commercial weapons at the 2000 SHOT Show. Essentially these were prototype units to gauge international dealer and law enforcement reaction to the concept. These were semi-automatic weapons and although all the components were manufactured by Leitner-Wise, they were still based on the designs of existing commercial parts. What followed was an extensive 18 month development program to re-engineer and prepare the product for sale. However, that all changed with the events of September 11th.
Leitner-Wise were called upon to take the LW15.499, a semi-automatic, commercial rifle, and turn it into a fully-automatic military battle rifle. In an unprecedented program, Leitner-Wise achieved this goal in less than seven months.
The cornerstone of this tough precision rifle is the bolt and carrier assembly group. As with any part in its high-quality products, Leitner-Wise entrusts the manufacture of these components to a few specially trained technicians. Each carrier group is meticulously manufactured to exact tolerances from materials precisely hardened to insure the utmost in reliability.
The final element in this mix is the ammunition. The .499 LWR cartridge is a unique piece for it is not based upon any other commercially available ammunition, rather, it stands by itself. The brass case design alone took nearly four years to develop using our computer design and modeling programs to fully analyze and understand the nature of the stresses and plasticity the material faces during the ignition phase and how the integrity of the case would hold up during the ejection phase.
The baseline LW15.499 rifle and the product by which all others are judged. The operating system?_Ts gas take-off is located behind the front quad rail block beneath the Mil-Spec handguards. The full-length handguards and alloy quad rail allow the maximum sight radius if open sights are fitted and duplicates the configuration of the LW499 SFR weapon as supplied to the US Coast Guard. The 18?__ steel alloy barrel has an external Mil-Spec manganese phosphate finish and a military chamber for the utmost in reliable feed and extraction, the bolt is identical to the ones we make for the US military and the design has successfully completed the US Army 6,000 round endurance qualification, it incorporates a twin spring extractor for reliability. Forged, lightweight aluminum upper and lower receivers incorporate the latest design specifications. The rifle is capable of sub minute-of-angle accuracy. The LW15.499 is shipped complete with one 10 round magazine, owners manual and lifetime warranty card.
Primary function: Infantry weapon, anti-personnel/anti-material
Manufacturer: Leitner-Wise Rifle Co. Inc.
Overall Length: 36.25 in (920.75 mm)
Weight without Magazine: 6.275 Lb (2.8 Kg)
Empty Magazine: (10 RD): .25 Lb (.11 Kg)
Loaded Magazine: 1.0 Lb (.45 Kg)
Caliber: 0.499 (12.675 mm)
Effective range: 1312.4 feet (400 meters)
Barrel Construction: Stainless Steel; Alloy Steel
Barrel Length with Integral Compensator: 18 in (457.2 mm)
Rifling Twist: 1 turn in 19"
Method of Operation: Gas
Muzzle Velocity: 2,200 ft/sec (670.6 m/sec)
Rate of Fire (RPM): 720
The original contract was picked up by the Coast Guard to be used as a boarding weapon. It has been summarily retired due to problems with reliability.
Best.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Blue Grouse
Does anyone have any load data on the .499 LWR ??
YES SIR !!
i done an extensive load test for the company a few years ago, due to our agreement i can not post all the results, but i can give you my favorite load which is a Rainier 335 Gr. HP bullet, #34 CCI primer, that is the Military designation, not really needed, but that is my preference, 50 Gr. Ramshot TAC powder, accuracy at 100 yd. for my piston LWRC Carbine has been phenomenal.., in my OPINION [:D] would you believe 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" groups, at 200 yd. they spread out to 6" groups still very good for a man sized target.
as for reloading this round it is NOT as straight forward as loading other straight wall cases, this cartridge requires a totally different procedure, which i will explain later as i am out of time for today.
thank you for asking [:D] [:D]0 -
What is the procedure for reloading the .499 LWRC cartidge? I have heard that 500 s&w dies will work is this true and is this smart to do anything different that you would need to do if using the 500 s&w dies.
Much thanks for any info or help!!!0 -
USN-Airdale--please add more info on your experience reloading the .499 LWRC. I just purchased an upper with brass and dies and am ready to go but was thrown off by seeing your comment about needing a different procedure to reload that beast. 0 -
this monster round is a tad bit tricky, most rounds when fired "grow", this one "shrinks" gets shorter in length, so to speak, an unfired round should measure 1.75", if you measure a fired round, lets say it's length is 1.72", then resize it and it is 1.79", it must be trimmed back to 1.75".., the head space for this round is fairly critical, too long and the round will not chamber, too short and the round will go too far into the chamber and not get a hit from the firing pin, or if it does get a hit from the firing pin it could damage your upper, soooooo the ideal length for this round is 1.75"+-.002 always trim to length AFTER sizing.
hillbilly327, would you mind telling me here or in a PM where you got the .499LWR upper, is it a gas impingement or piston ? also the brass and dies ? preferably in a PM. i am interested in the brand of dies you got, are they RCBS ? marked .499LWR ? is there a carbide ring in the die ? if so be very careful in sizing the brass, the first run of the carbide dies from RCBS were made a little undersize and if you follow regular set up of the dies you will crack the carbide insert, when you screw the sizing die into your press with the ram in full up position, leave a gap between the shell holder and die of about 3/32" -1/8th", i broke 2 of the sizing die carbide rings before RCBS and i finally found the problem, after about 3 months working with RCBS they discovered the original data for the chamber size was off by about .015"
gun deals, yes.., you can use .500 S&W dies, that is the markings on my new dies from RCBS, i also have a set of RCBS dies marked 12.5 X 45mm
i do not have my data near by but i have used Hodgdens "Lil Gun" with good results starting with a reduced .410 shotgun load and work up.., also check out this data page for the .500 S&W cartridge:
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source
these loads are compatible to the .499LWR, also check out data for the .50 cal. or .410 loads here:
http://www.handloads.com/
that's about it, let me know your results.., OK ??0 -
USN-Airdale--how do I PM you? 0 -
Thanks USN Airdale for the links and detailed information. I sent you a PM.
[?]What is your opinion of using the 500 S&W Magnum loading data for the .499? The 500 has a little shorter case, same bullets, and uses the same 1/18 twist. Do you reduce your loads when using Ranier bullets?
[8)]I plan to experiment using H110 (which I have) and will let you know the results.0 -
OK, here is my info. I use the RCBS 12.5 45 3 die set. I found that one out of 50 rounds was really short but most were right at 1.75" before and after resizing. I worked up a very accurate (2MOA) 335gr ranier load using CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers, and 43.5 gr of H110 with an OAL of 2.24. My chrono shows an average of over 1900 fps MV. These round have never misfired. I did have an occasional ejection problem which I solved by opening the ejection port slightly and modifying the ejector spring to produce greater "push". Fired off about 30 today with no jams, ejection problems, or misfires. My shoulder feels it though! This is my new hog gun! 0 -
USN Airdale,
It was due to you talking about the .499LWR that was the basis for me purchasing both a .499LWR Mini 50 and a BFR in the same caliber. The round is great, plus the recoil is comparable to that of a 30-30 round. I shot 40 rounds and I like it. I am doing a security detail at a local gun show and that is what I will be carrying beside a brace of .223 American Derringers as back up.
Bests
Grrrrrrrr0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments