50 Caliber Question

11thcanopy

February 13, 2003 08:18

Suppose there was a 50 caliber sabot available that would accept a .375 caliber projectile.

If that round was fired through one of the Barrett type rifles what could be expected as to performance.

Would the bulet simply disentragrate (sp), if not wonder what the velocity and energy would be at the ranges that we normally measure for.

Would a barrel require more twist for this type of application.

Can't imagine why anyone would want to do this sort of thing except for a posssible savings in reloading. As in the cost of the sabot and the .375 round VS. the 50 caliber projectile.

Thanks 11thcanopy

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  kingjoey

  February 13, 2003 08:32

  State Arms makes a rifle that shoots a 375-50 which is a 50 BMG necked down to a 375 bullet. Supposed to put a round out at 4000-5000fps. I would be hesitant to sabot a 50 though, the military had a lot of problems with the bullet turning sideways and blowing the barrel. It can be done and it is done, but be careful and pay attention to what you're doing. [:D]

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  Sunray

  February 13, 2003 08:36

  Savings? What savings would that be? You'd be loading an expensive bullet into a great big expensive case plus the added cost of the sabot and the cost of having a .375 barrel made to fit the rifle.

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  kingjoey

  February 13, 2003 08:39

  Sunray,
  He's talking about using a sabot which would allow the use of a 375 projectile in a 50 cal barrel.

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  JustC

  February 13, 2003 09:18

  My opinion would be that it will YAW so bad, it would be a tumbling projectile. In order to survive that kind of push, I would say it would have to be a 375-50 rifled barrel. I don't know what you could make a sabot out of, that would put up with kind heat and pressure.
  
  My gunsmith tells me that when he was cutting 50bmg barrels, even with the 50 cal bullet, they couldn't get much more than 400rnds before it had throat erosion to the point that it needed a re-chamber. Just think about that kind of heat up against the sabot holding a 375 cal bullet.
  
  I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.

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  mrmike08075

  February 13, 2003 13:54

  we load a variety of sub munition sabots for the .50BMG case at the shop. we load .22 cal projectiles, .30 cal projectiles, etc... we have had a good response as far as quality and function go, but it varies from gun to gun. these are custom handloads tailored to your specs. we loaded up some SS109 .22 heads, and some .30 GI surplus ARMOR PIERCING heads recently for a customer. we have even loaded up WOODLIEGH bronze solid .30 cal. safari heads for a customer. if you cannot find these munitions elsewere, email me at waltsgun@aol.com and tell them big mike sent you. while there is not a lot of call for these custom projectiles, there are those who want them, and a few people who make them. best regards, mike.
  
  What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.

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  11thcanopy

  February 13, 2003 17:01

  Many thanks to all for your replys.
  
  It is good to know that someone has at least tried using sabots for the fifties.
  
  One more thought, wonder if a bullet that was long in overall length would help stabilize flight.
  
  Thinking of the old military style 6.5 rounds with the long , in length, round nose bullet
  
  Thanks again.

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  I.Shute

  February 13, 2003 21:24

  I had a couple .30 cal. sabot rounds in .50 BMG, shot them at a 3 ft. x 4 ft. target at 100 ft. and they never hit the target.
  Not sure where they went. Wasn't a very loud report either.
  I bought them from an ammo dealer at a show and don't know how they were loaded.
  I don't think you should waste your time with them in this rifle.

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  JustC

  February 14, 2003 11:53

  The longer bullets are simply a lower drag, higher balistic Coefficient bullet. they are made for a long range shooter, as they will retain more energy, buck more wind, and hold a better trajectory.
  
  They are most often used in a heavy twist barrel, i.e. 1:8 for a 6.5 in the 140gr range. The increased bearing surface of the long bullets requires the heavy twist to adequately stabilize them. I don't think their lenght would make a difference, if they weren't spun at the necessary RPM. That's just my assumption from working with non-saboted bullets in heavy twist and light twist barrels. HTH
  
  I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.

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