Optimal Velocity of 50/50 (WW&Pb)Alloy for Rifles

[michiganmike]

I have read from time to time about the use of 50/50 alloy for hunting. With the right lube and powder good accuracy, velocity and terminal ballistics for whitetail deer are reported. But I haven't found a good discussion of this use of 50/50 in my searches. I have both Pb and WW in my shop. But to date have used only WW for my rifle bullets (7mm-08 and 338 Federal). If I can stretch my WW with my Pb I am interested in casting some 7mm and .338 bullets.

If you know of a discussion string of this topic, would you please send me a link? If none exists, would you please share your use of 50/50: mould used, recommended powders, lube used, velocity and accuracy achieved, and its performance on whitetail deer sized game.

Thank you. I look forward to your comments,

MichiganMike

[WebMonkey]

Lyman cast handbook shows a bit over 1600 had the best expansion and weight retention in a 30 caliber rifle.
I like just under 1700 for my .308

[J257]

I cast a 170 grain bullet for my 30-30 out of 50/50 with a pinch of tin. I push them to 1750 with great results on deer and hogs. These bullets REALLY mushroom out. I'm a lung shooter, so it works out fine but if you're shooting for bone, I'd mix 25% more WW. I recovered two of these bullets from a hog. They measured almost .70. The hog was quartering away and I hit his hind leg. Neither bullet exited. I can shoot about five of these rounds before before accuracy goes and leading starts. With WW this bullet shoots 11/2 and with the 50/50 mix, shoots 21/4. I just tumble lube, powder coating would be the trick I think, for hunting rounds . Hope this helps.

[runfiverun]

what exactly do you want the alloy to do?
just make holes in paper?
jab holes through animals?
shoot 24-2500 fps?

each of them can be accomplished with a manipulated ww alloy.
probably not all of them at the same time or with the same manipulation but they can all be accomplished with ww alloy cut with soft lead.

[SierraHunter]

I prefer a bigger diameter bullet for big game hunting, with a very soft bullet and paper patched. Out of my 358 Winchester on a Marlin 336 I shoot a 220 grain bullet patched to .359" over about 38 grains of IMR 4895 with good results on my test media. I hope to use this rifle and load for mule deer this fall if I have time off of work, and the rifle is back together by then.

I imagine you could patch 8mm bullets with fairly good results in that 338 Federal.

[popper]

IMHO the 7mm is a problem. 338 should work good, heavy boolit, slow & close. I got a 150# pig last year with 40SW, plain COWW, ~950 fps. Rear shot, complete pass thru, broke front leg, exit under jaw and left a good blood trail after 50 yds. He still went 100 after hit. Expansion is nice but soft wouldn't have left the trail as no exit hole in the front. With you bigger bodied deer I think I'd go 25% pure in the 338. G.S. got a 120# doe in Feb, with jacketed 243. Broke front leg, clipped the ribs and not much blood trail for 100 yds. Unless you find a heavy for the 7, leave it home. I PC for rifle, works great.

[Wayne Smith]

Lets be specific - I think we are talking of 50/50 wd alloy. And with a GC mold. With those two caviats I would agree that you can do this at least from .30 caliber and up.

[HangFireW8]

I have read from time to time about the use of 50/50 alloy for hunting. With the right lube and powder good accuracy, velocity and terminal ballistics for whitetail deer are reported. But I haven't found a good discussion of this use of 50/50 in my searches. I have both Pb and WW in my shop. But to date have used only WW for my rifle bullets (7mm-08 and 338 Federal). If I can stretch my WW with my Pb I am interested in casting some 7mm and .338 bullets.

If you know of a discussion string of this topic, would you please send me a link?

MichiganMike,

Here's a 308Win 50/50 kill with load: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...B-Kill-308-Win

Some 308Win hunting experience: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-good-for-deer

Here are a discussion where the last poster actually admits to hunting with 50/50:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?295849-50-50-and-PC-for-hunting/page2

Deer taken with RD 50/50 in 35Rem:http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ington-Vittles!!

357Mag kill with 50/50 part way through thread: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?242954-Lets-See-Those-357-Magnum-Deer-Kills-Including-Technial-Info

Hunting Alloy expansion discussion including 50/50: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-136413.html

7mm, 50/50 and hunting: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...4-7MM-and-deer

Again: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-cast-in-a-7mm

If none exists, would you please share your use of 50/50: mould used, recommended powders, lube used, velocity and accuracy achieved, and its performance on whitetail deer sized game.

Thank you. I look forward to your comments,

MichiganMike

I posted some links above, but can't find a real good thread that combines hunting, 50/50 and higher velocity loads. There is a sticky in the Hunting with CB's sub-forum that touches on 50/50:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-rifle-boolits

Unfortunately, like most discussions from that time, it degenerated into the usual RPM debate between the usual now-banned suspects. Sadly no one listened to the late Felix, the most knowledgeable member, who had already solved the RPM problem, and gave the solution. You need a soft start, which means mild primers and slow powder, smaller bore, along with really close attention to ALL the details (like runout, fit, neck tension, load density all that Bench Rest stuff). Felix just dispensed his wisdom and moved on, while others who knew less (and shared less) argued endlessly. Keep in mind that Felix used Bench Rest equipment, while 7mm's, while a smaller bore than 30's, generally have really tight twists.

I'm sorry, I have no high velocity 308 or 7mm hunting loads to share... yet. In 308 I've focused on reduced loads, and I haven't gotten to the 7mm at all.

[aspangler]

I use 50/50 gc'ed 170 grain flat nose in 30-30 and 3006. 30-30 is 2050 fps with 30.5 gr IMR 4064. 3006 is 1990 with 39 gr IMR 4895. YMMV