50 Alaskan handgun loads

[al bundy]

I have a BFR that was converted to 50 Alaskan by Jack Huntington.The barrel length is 6-3/4"
and it has an integral muzzle break. After firing the Grizzly 525 grain factory load, I
decided to work up suitable handgun loads for this gun. It only took about a week for my
knuckle's swelling to subside. The devit in my forehead will just be a battle scar.(joking)
Doing a bunch of internet searching netted me nothing so I started with a known
powder that is used in this caliber. IMR 4198 was my choice and a 510 grain LFN plain base
bullet at a hardness of about 18 BHN. I know its frowned upon, but I chose to take up the
"space in the case" with GRITS. Brass was fire formed 348 Winchester trimmed to 2.100"
Primers were WOLF large rifle.
These are my results. all are 10 shot group averages with the chronograph at 8' from muzzle.
Temperature was 58-61 degrees


28.0 grains 4198 = 855 FPS
30.0 grains 4198 = 940 FPS
32.0 grains 4198 = 977 FPS
34.0 grains 4198 = 1060 FPS
36.0 grains 4198 = 1087 FPS
38.0 grains 4198 = 1135 FPS
40.0 grains 4198 = 1183 FPS
42.0 grains 4198 = 1252 FPS
44.0 grains 4198 = 1350 FPS
46.0 grains 4198 = 1407 FPS
48.0 grains 4198 = 1494 FPS
50.0 grains 4198 = 1502 FPS
52.0 grains 4198 = 1556 FPS

[paul h]

Jack does great work!

I'm shaking my head at the thought of torching off 52 gr of powder from a 6 3/4" tube, but I'd also be intrigued to see a picture of that event with minimal ambient lighting

[rintinglen]

As a 348 shooter I can not condone this profligate waste of Brass. As a 60 something year old man, I tremble at the thought of having to fire that thing. It would surely kill a grizzly--if you could get him to shoot it.

[al bundy]

now thats funny ! Actually the loads with charge weights under 44 grains were not bad at all. The factory Grizzly ammo is not an option! Trail boss is probably a better choice for reduced loads

[Lloyd Smale]

don't remember the exact loads and mine was a rifle but I had my best luck with re7 in the Alaskan.

[str8wal]

Actually the loads with charge weights under 44 grains were not bad at all.

How was the accuracy of the lighter loads?

[ole 5 hole group]

now thats funny ! Actually the loads with charge weights under 44 grains were not bad at all. The factory Grizzly ammo is a no no, even one round is a no no ! Trail boss is probably a better choice for reduced loads

You think factory Grizzly ammo for the 50 Alaskan is a no-no - well, I kinda think the 50 Alaskan in a handgun is a no-no. I occasionally shoot a 500 Linebaugh Max with 525 grain bullets at warp speed and that's about all the felt recoil a guy can "enjoy". Now the Linebaugh Max case length is 1.6" while the 50 Alaskan is 2.2", both 511 diameter - I would think a guy could meet his felt recoil limit well before going the 50 Alaskan route.

Wearing that BFR with a loader cylinder and 5-spare rounds on the belt might call for a heavy duty pair of suspenders to hold up that heavy-duty gun belt.

[Groo]

Groo here
For a light cast load ,try a full to the base of the bullet load of Trailboss .
You should see 800fps or so and an easy push.

[al bundy]

Groo here
For a light cast load ,try a full to the base of the bullet load of Trailboss .
You should see 800fps or so and an easy push.

Thanks Groo. I plan on using Trailboss soon

[al bundy]

You think factory Grizzly ammo for the 50 Alaskan is a no-no - well, I kinda think the 50 Alaskan in a handgun is a no-no. I occasionally shoot a 500 Linebaugh Max with 525 grain bullets at warp speed and that's about all the felt recoil a guy can "enjoy". Now the Linebaugh Max case length is 1.6" while the 50 Alaskan is 2.2", both 511 diameter - I would think a guy could meet his felt recoil limit well before going the 50 Alaskan route.

Wearing that BFR with a loader cylinder and 5-spare rounds on the belt might call for a heavy duty pair of suspenders to hold up that heavy-duty gun belt.

Yes, I agree. I didnt have this built, I bought it from a guy that shot it 4 times. My choice would have been to have a 500 Max built by Huntington. But this cures the recoil fix for sure. I just wanted to post some results for others that have the 50 AK BFR

[al bundy]

How was the accuracy of the lighter loads?

I have not done any accuracy testing yet, just velocity

[al bundy]

don't remember the exact loads and mine was a rifle but I had my best luck with re7 in the Alaskan.

Yes LLOYD, I contacted you when I first got this and you gave me some good pointers Thanks again

[Whiterabbit]

I wish I could borrow this. I dream of loading 647 grain m33 ball pullets in a case and shooting them via pistol. This would be just the ticket (actually a long cylinder BFR in 500 linebaugh would be, but this would work too), and 4198 would be the perfect powder to do it.

I shoot heavies in a 460 BFR. I think you are on the right track with 4198, H or IMR. 1400 fps sounds like just the right range to be in.

[al bundy]

I wish I could borrow this. I dream of loading 647 grain m33 ball pullets in a case and shooting them via pistol. This would be just the ticket (actually a long cylinder BFR in 500 linebaugh would be, but this would work too), and 4198 would be the perfect powder to do it.

I shoot heavies in a 460 BFR. I think you are on the right track with 4198, H or IMR. 1400 fps sounds like just the right range to be in.

Thanks for the input Whiterabbit. Yep, 1400 FPS is about right. The 500 Linebaugh MAX in the long framed Ruger would be a better package, but I like this gun. A bit overwhelming when pushed though

[44man]

Keep the velocity down. That is the only gun I refused to shoot but it was built on a D max with shiny Bisley grips. Full power loads. Friend could not hold it either and split his head wide open.

[smoked turkey]

I readily admit that I do not enjoy heavy recoiling long or short guns like I once did. My 480 Ruger Alaskan torques my shooting hand more than enough for me! If offered I would not shoot the beast either. I am just not man enough. But I do like to read about those that can and do.

[al bundy]

I readily admit that I do not enjoy heavy recoiling long or short guns like I once did. My 480 Ruger Alaskan torques my shooting hand more than enough for me! If offered I would not shoot the beast either. I am just not man enough. But I do like to read about those that can and do.

I'm not a fan of the very heavy recoil either, thats why I wanted to work loads up to a reasonable level

[Whiterabbit]

Here's some interesting info. I have my BFR loadbook open. My BFR is a 460 S&W (read: smaller expansion chamber) and a 10 inch barrel (read: higher expected velocity), here's some interesting data:

My RCBS 500 grain BPCR boolit goes about 1250+ with 29-30 grains of IMR4198. With 31 grains it does about 1350. So, as a "calibration", I'm looking at 2/3rds of the powder you are using.

So, a 590 grain Lead Zeppelin boolit (yes, that's the name of the boolit) goes 1150-1200 fps with 26-28-ish grains of IMR4198 (the load was not clearly documented). So you could shoot a 649 grain m33 to about the same velocity with maybe a 40-ish grain charge. Rough estimate, given m33 ball is 10% heavier. I don't know if you would have to ream the case to thin the walls where the case tension would be to chamber the round, and of course the crimp groove could not be used. It would look rather comical seated to an OAL of 3".

the 740 grain NEI (yes they made a production 700+ grain 45 cal) does about 930 fps with 20 grains of 4198 and the cases just fell out via gravity, no pressure signs. So if you wanted to play with some 750 grain AMAX bullets......

Just sayin'

[al bundy]

Noooooooooo!!!!

[Whiterabbit]

Is that a no of sarcastic anti-enthusiasm born of having a need now to try one or both of those, now that you have some starting data to go after?

Cause I happen to have a bunch of extra m33 ball I'm not gonna ever use......

(For free if you send me a couple dummy rounds, one untrimmed @ 3" and one with the brass trimmed short to end at the cannelure @ 3" OAL)