50 GI:....Anyone care about this round?

[krems]

Not many people shooting or even know about this round. I purchased a Guncrafter 1911 in this caliber last year and have now fired over 500 rounds without a single problem. I’ve settled on a .502” 275gr FP cast bullet at about 850 FPS. Recoil is very manageable and this bullet hits hard. Brass is easy to find because of its size and for ageing eyes leaves a big hole in the target to see. There has to be a few 50 GI shooters out there. Anyone else feeling the love for the 50 GI?

[redneck1]

I've eyeballed it a few times , component prices are slowly coming down making it a bit more interesting.

[DougGuy]

A friend and CCW course instructor has two of them, both made when gold was cheaper to buy per ounce. I think it's rather comical to witness tossing a live 230gr hardball round down the barrel on the 50 and watch it bounce loosely and fall out the locked open slide.

Many years ago a cop once asked me why I carried a 45 and I told him "because they don't make a fifty." Look on his face = priceless!

I'll have to change that now to "because I can't afford a fifty!"

[475AR]

I kinda love it.... I have several guns chambered in 50GI, I have several DI AR15 uppers a couple of encore barrels as well as a couple of Glock conversions. What mold are you using? I have several from about 250gr all the way up to 500gr for the 50GI (no the 500gr bullets don't fit in the Glock or 1911 mags, I run them in the AR15's and encore barrels.) The 50GI is a very versatile cartridge especially if you reload. Is it a 50AE or 500 S&W not even close but with 350gr to 400gr bullets it is very fun to shoot and not get beat up. Don't get me wrong I still love my 500 S&W but I shoot more 50GI and don't have sore wrist afterwards :D

[Plate plinker]

I like it Guncrafter Industries is legit. A 50GI. Knocks the poop out of a bowling pin.

[krems]

I understand the glock conversions work very well. Never heard any negative feedback on them. An AR15 in 50 GI would be fun to shoot. Kind of like a 500 linebaugh special with those 350-400gr. bullets. The factory loaded rounds get a little expensive to shoot so I decided to shoot cast bullets and since I didn't see any bullet molds I liked fired up the CNC milling machine and Lathe bored my own. I settled on a 275 grain bullet. I posted on 1911 addicts a while back about getting the 50GI to shoot and how I made my own molds.

[GARD72977]

This would make an awesome carbine cartridge.

[TheGrimReaper]

I understand the glock conversions work very well. Never heard any negative feedback on them. An AR15 in 50 GI would be fun to shoot. Kind of like a 500 linebaugh special with those 350-400gr. bullets. The factory loaded rounds get a little expensive to shoot so I decided to shoot cast bullets and since I didn't see any bullet molds I liked fired up the CNC milling machine and Lathe bored my own. I settled on a 275 grain bullet. I posted on 1911 addicts a while back about getting the 50GI to shoot and how I made my own molds.

That is just too neat!!!

[ioon44]

I have shot the 50 GI during one of my visits to Guncrafter Industries, they are fun and have came close to buying one but I mostly stick with guns for IDPA matches.

[Texas by God]

I guess if I find something that resists my 230gr FP at 900 fps from my .45 ACP I'll look into one.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Handloader109]

For you guys that haven't seen the ammo, here you go. Left is a .357 Mag Hornady XTP, Center is the 50GI, and right is a 125gr 9mm
Front is the expanded bullet they sell. Copper, Solid Copper HP.
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[krems]

That expanding copper HP is wicked. Expands to 1” diameter. Factory Load ammo with those bullets from Guncrafter is showing:
185 gr - 1200 FPS
230 gr - 1000 FPS
They do a number on watermelons and milk jugs in the videos I’ve seen.

[35remington]

With that expansion width I would guess the penetration is rather low.

[Lloyd Smale]

big wicked hps? We tried cast 512s in the linebaughs on buffalo that had huge hp cavitys and expanded about like that. What we found is they would MAYBE make it 6 inches into a buffalo (we shot 3 with them) and all three had to be put down by other guns. Now where that round would shine is with a good flat nosed hard cast bullet that's already as big as an expanded 357 bullets and has the weight to push in deep and is hard enough to break bone without deflecting or stopping. When bullets that big expand they turn into big parachutes.

[krems]

Those CHP would be the ultimate “man stopper” rounds. I remember Jason at Guncrafter telling me that one time. I’ll Interesting comment on the Parachute effect for large HP rounds. I think I’ll make another bullet mold with a wider metplat and see how well they shoot and feed. Instead of the SWC profile maybe more of a RNFP. Sounds like a good project for the day since it’s only -8 degrees right now.

[tucumcari_kid]

I reload it and cast these marvelous 354 grain RFNs, hollow point in this case. Courtesy of NOE
237139

[obersaber]

I own a few 50GI guns. Hamilton Bowen converted this Vaquero to 50GI for me.
Nice not having to chase brass when I shoot.
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[Love Life]

I own a few 50GI guns. Hamilton Bowen converted this Vaquero to 50GI for me.
Nice not having to chase brass when I shoot.
237386

Well that’s about 75 different flavors of awesome!!

[obersaber]

This would make an awesome carbine cartridge.

Yes, it does!
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[475AR]

Yes, it does!
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Who built your upper?

[gpidaho]

Well that’s about 75 different flavors of awesome!! Agreed! Awesome Handgun. Gp

[arlon]

Nope, not for me.

[obersaber]

Who built your upper?

AR upper made by RMW Xtreme. forend by Hargett

[obersaber]

Nice slugs. LEE made a 6 cavity that cast the same design only 255 gr. I had to commit to a 10 mold purchase but others on the 50GI forum snatched up the ones I did not need. I have stuffed 2 of those slugs back to back in a 500 S&W magnum over 37 gr RL-17 for 770 fps from a 3" barrel with a 1" spread at 20 yds.
My Glock 21 with Guncrafter 50GI conversion is threaded for a
SilencerCo Osprey that is a pleasure to shoot without ear protection.
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[obersaber]

With that expansion width I would guess the penetration is rather low.

Looks like it made it to 8" anyway.
237410

[obersaber]

Guncrafter model #3 (no-name) in 50GI with serial # ending in 1031.
Some day ... this one will go to my nephew who was born on Halloween.
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[475AR]

Obersaber, I figured Ron built it. I had him build me a 16" or 18" (can't remember which length) upper since all my other 50GI uppers are shorties.
I picked up a cheap G21 frame and had it cut down to G30 length and love the way it shoots and carries and surprisingly the 50GI feeds from the G30 mags.

237420

[obersaber]

Obersaber, I figured Ron built it. I had him build me a 16" or 18" (can't remember which length) upper since all my other 50GI uppers are shorties.
I picked up a cheap G21 frame and had it cut down to G30 length and love the way it shoots and carries and surprisingly the 50GI feeds from the G30 mags.

237420

I remember you from back in the day on the Guncrafter forum. You gave me the inspiration to get one built for myself.
Alex had a Ruger flat top converted to 50GI but I liked the looks of the vaquero better with the Bisley hammer and lanyard ring. I usually take along the Vaquero when hiking through the back 40 trails
so I don't need to worry about digging through poison ivy to collect brass.
Mernickle holster for field carry.
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[obersaber]

I understand the glock conversions work very well. Never heard any negative feedback on them. An AR15 in 50 GI would be fun to shoot. Kind of like a 500 linebaugh special with those 350-400gr. bullets. The factory loaded rounds get a little expensive to shoot so I decided to shoot cast bullets and since I didn't see any bullet molds I liked fired up the CNC milling machine and Lathe bored my own. I settled on a 275 grain bullet. I posted on 1911 addicts a while back about getting the 50GI to shoot and how I made my own molds.

Nice looking slug you made there. I wish I had the skill/ability.

[Love Life]

Does the revolver conversion have to be on an old Vaquero or will it work with the New Vaquero?

[obersaber]

Does the revolver conversion have to be on an old Vaquero or will it work with the New Vaquero?

My gun was built on a new vaquero medium frame.
Go to Bowen Classic Arms. He describes every step in detail.
The work is flawless.
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[tucumcari_kid]

AR upper made by RMW Xtreme. forend by Hargett

Thanks, I've been looking for someone who might do an upper.

[tucumcari_kid]

Nice slugs. LEE made a 6 cavity that cast the same design only 255 gr. I had to commit to a 10 mold purchase but others on the 50GI forum snatched up the ones I did not need. I have stuffed 2 of those slugs back to back in a 500 S&W magnum over 37 gr RL-17 for 770 fps from a 3" barrel with a 1" spread at 20 yds.
My Glock 21 with Guncrafter 50GI conversion is threaded for a
SilencerCo Osprey that is a pleasure to shoot without ear protection.
237408

I ti hard to find the molds that are less than 400 grains. I have considered a couple but I'm really pleased with this NOE mold. I think it will do the trick...

[WinchesterM1]

I almost went with the 50GI but I went with a 460 Rowland instead, I have the 6.5”lone wolf in my Glock 21 with a super beefy recoil spring I love it!! But it is a hand cannon

[obersaber]

I ti hard to find the molds that are less than 400 grains. I have considered a couple but I'm really pleased with this NOE mold. I think it will do the trick...

Check out Accurate molds, they have a couple specifically designed for the 50GI that can be had in aluminum. brass or iron. I understand they will make a mold to your specification then add it to the catalog and sell it to you at the regular price.

[475AR]

I 2nd Accurate Molds, Tom's work is top notch and his molds are works of art. He has several designs for the 50GI, I had him cut several molds of my designs and they came out perfect and cast great and shoot just as well.

[obersaber]

I 2nd Accurate Molds, Tom's work is top notch and his molds are works of art. He has several designs for the 50GI, I had him cut several molds of my designs and they came out perfect and cast great and shoot just as well.

Any experience with powder coated bullets without grooves? I just started powder coating and will never go back to lube. Accuracy is good but I wonder if it would get better without the grease grooves.

[475AR]

Agreed! Awesome Handgun. Gp


Any experience with powder coated bullets without grooves? I just started powder coating and will never go back to lube. Accuracy is good but I wonder if it would get better without the grease grooves.

I think bullet design has more to do with accuracy then removing the grooves. I haven't used any groove less bullets in the 50GI but I do use them in other calibers and Hi-Tek coat them. I have not noticed any accuracy differences between grooved and groove less bullets but I don't have 2 of the same bullet designs with and without grooves so it is hard to say. The one plus I see with groove less bullets is for designing heavy for caliber bullets.

[krems]

That 50GI Vaquero and carbine are really cool. The Vaquero would be great for winter shooting in Montana. I hate chasing brass in the snow......I got bored during the arctic weather we are having so I cut another 50GI mold with a wider nose flat. I haven’t test fired yet to see how it feeds. All indications are that it should feed in my Guncrafter 1911. It will be a great little thumper. 285 grains. I got a few loaded up and will test fire this week.

237524

[475AR]

That 50GI Vaquero and carbine are really cool. The Vaquero would be great for winter shooting in Montana. I hate chasing brass in the snow......I got bored during the arctic weather we are having so I cut another 50GI mold with a wider nose flat. I haven’t test fired yet to see how it feeds. All indications are that it should feed in my Guncrafter 1911. It will be a great little thumper. 285 grains. I got a few loaded up and will test fire this week.

237524

Looks like a great bullet, it looks like it should feed well. You have the ability to cut your own molds? Which by the way that mold looks great as well. If I had the ability to cut my own molds I would go broke buying aluminum to make them.:D

[obersaber]

krems = that looks awsome! When I had my Vaquero built I sent Hamilton Bowen 25 cartridges for him to use in regulating the front sight to point of impact. Must be nice to be able to customize slugs whenever you please. Really nice work!

[obersaber]

This is my RMW Xtreme upper.
It has a 16" barrel, gas operated and fits on a standard AR lower
using slightly modified AR mags. 9 shot and 5 shot.
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[475AR]

Ok, with everyone posting their cool 50GI's I pulled a couple out of the safe to show some of my 50GI's. As I have stated in other post, I love/have a 50GI addiction...(not shown are 2 DI AR uppers an 8" and 10", several encore barrels and a mac 10 converted to 50GI.) I also have several suppressors for the 50GI and have been happy with how the 50GI runs suppressed.
237564
Shown are my 18.5" DI AR15, 5" DI 50GI pdw, my cut down Glock 21 to Glock 30 length it also has a grip reduction and stippling and my G21 with a threaded barrel, standard frame that has a grip reduction and stippling.

[obersaber]

475AR - those look like they are from the John Wick private stock! A.T.A.S alltacticalansh!t. Do you have special loads for the longer barrel?

[475AR]

475AR - those look like they are from the John Wick private stock! A.T.A.S alltacticalansh!t. Do you have special loads for the longer barrel?

To be honest I haven't shot the 18.5" upper much due to work and hunting haven't had much spare time to get to the range. But I plan on working with it in a couple of weeks. I did run some factory level 300gr rounds to verify it runs. I am thinking of 230-240gr loads at about 1000-1100fps should do nicely but haven't worked up any loads yet. I am also thinking about having a 230gr-240gr mold cut but haven't drawn anything up yet. I may also work up loads with 300gr and 350gr bullets as well, but I got to get some time to do it.