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Beowulf .50 reloading question

slagment
I have tried reloading my beowulf ammo, and i suck. I had a couple brass get stuck in the chamber. Could that be from too much powder, or bad brass? Also I was wondering if i could use less powder for target shooting.

I am using: speer 325 grain hollow points with 37.2 grains of hodgden lil gun powder and cci # 350 large pistol magnum primers. What amount of powder would still cycle the firearm and be good enough for 25yd target shooting?

thank you
Here is the instructions that came with the reloading dies.
Reloading%20for%20beowulf.jpg
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • richbug
    do your loaded rounds cycle through the gun properly? you should use a load that is reduced by 10% from what the listed max is. in this case I would start at 33 grains. If your live rounds chamber easily, and extract without being fired, I expect you have too much powder. Do not fire any more of your 37.2 loads until we make sure. Can you take a picture of the fired cases that were sticking, specifically the primer.

    .
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  • slagment
    My loaded rounds would cycle just fine. I can't take picturs of the casesing thats got stuck, those have been thrown away. So the amount on the instructions is the max? Next time i try i will use 33 grains. How low can i go with the powder, do you think 25 grains would still cycle?
    Is the OAL the over all length?

    thanks
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  • richbug
    Dont go below a 15-20% reduction. Beyond that you may end up with a bullet stuck in the bore. If you unknowingly load another round with the stuck bullet, that may be the last we hear from you. OAL is over all length.

    .
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  • FrancF
    Is your resizing die adjusted for full length? Have you checked your cases OAL?

    sniper.gif
    NRA Life Endowment Member

    Soquel.gif
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  • slagment
    yes i do check for OAL. I have used the resizing die. Im not sure if I have it adjusted properly. How whould i check to see if my resizing die is adjusted correctly? Also i don't think my cheap beam balance scale isn't working correctly/pain in the ass. Any suggestions on a good low cost electronic scale?
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  • Tailgunner1954
    As the Beo. is nothing but a oversized pistol round, the sizing die should touch the shellholder when the ram is full up.
    The belling / flairing die should be set to open the case mouth just enough to allow the bullet to start square, without crumpling the case or shaving the bullet.
    The seating die is set to give the desired OAL
    The taper crimp die should be set to remove the flare and not much more.
    Personaly I wouldn't go under 32.5gr (about a 12-13% reduction from max) and would probably start out at 33.5 (10% reduction).
    BTW, just because the brass stuck in the chamber isn't a reason to trash it, besides making a good momento there is a lot that can be learned from studying it.
    A good beam scale is equil to a digital, just slightly slower to use. Good beams are not made out of plastic however (what scale do you have).

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • slagment
    RGBS green and plastic.
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  • slagment
    I checked my scale, tested it with a dime. It came out correct. I loaded a few rounds with 33 grains of powder, and readjusted my sizing and crimping dies. I will let you know how it works out. Thanks
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  • slagment
    Sorry for talking to long to reply back. My reloads at the reduced powder worked great. But I'm selling the beowulf to help pay for the Full Auto M-11 Im getting transfered, and it's too powerful to shoot were I live, and I bought it to go hunting, but failed to go hunting.
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