Primers for H-50BMG ?

[specweldtom]

No luck on the Fed 215 M primers. What other primer can light 115 - 120 grs of H-50BMG and H-5010 consistently. The 215 primers don't seem to be quite as uniform as the 215M. Rem 9 1/2M primers won't do it. Extreme spread in the 100's fps. I haven't tried the CCI 250's.

Thanks, Tom

 

[Fiftydriver]

I do not use Fed-215M primers because I havefound them to be a much cooler primer then the standard.

I use the Fed-215 in all of my Allen Magnums, even the big 338 AM with its 145 to 150 gr powder capacity. Never had a problem with consistancy with H-50BMG.

Have even used it with 150 grains of WC872 which is much more difficult to ignite and have never had any problems.

Are you sure this is a primer issue with your extreme spreads?

I also know of the CCI-250 being used in the 338 AM with H-50BMG as well with good results, in fact very good results from the reports I have read from fellow 338 AM shooters. I still recommend the Fed-215 because its hotter but the others will work. This leads me to think your issues are being caused by something else possibly.

Give us some details in your load, chambering and such.

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[specweldtom]

Fifty, Here goes: Rifle is a MK V with a Shilen #7 Sel Match 10 twist barrel, crowned @ 27 1/4", .338 x .378 Wby factory dimension reamer, Go gage +.001" headspace. Factory .460 stock with pillars and Steelbed. I am building it for myself.

Powders tried: H-4831, IMR 7828, H-1000, Re 25, Retumbo, H-5010, H-50 BMG.
Bullets: 180 NBT, 200 NBT, Comb Tech 200 BST, 225 BX, 250 Smkhp, 300 Smkhp.
Primers: 215 M, 9 1/2 M, CCI 250 (I didn't remember trying the CCI's).

Best combinations so far: All chrono readings Oehler 35P at 7 yds. All loads seated to mag length. < 3.8". All groups 5 shot, no cooling between shots. Cleaned between 5 shot strings.

112 gr 7828, 180 gr NBT, 9 1/2 M. 3494 fps S/D 16, group .377" horiz, .750 vert.

115 gr Re 25, 200 NBT, 215M, 3504fps, S/D 17, group .635" horiz, 1.20" vert.

Factory 225 Barnes X, 3172 fps, S/D 22, group 0.5" horiz, .690" vert.

108 gr H-5010, 300 Smkhp, 215M, 2775 fps, S/D 9, group .380" horiz, .715" vert.

H-4831, H-1000, Retumbo, didn't work with anything. 115 gr H-50 BMG had 131 extreme spread with 9 1/2 M primers. Didn't record group or S/D.
Also, 250 Smkhp's didn't work.

Looking back, the CCI's do appear to work; S/D's OK, Groups too large.

Retumbo was the only powder that ever showed pressure.

Have decided to concentrate on the 300 Smkhp. It's what I really wanted to shoot in this rifle. Looks like H-5010 has most promise, But will try H-869. My .30 x .378 likes it. 50 BMG may be too slow for 27" of barrel and full factory freebore.

I have 215 primers. Didn't use them because I thought the 215M's were just as hot but were more consistent.

I apologize for writing a book, but this rifle has the right stuff in it, and I know it will shoot 1/2 moa if I find what it wants.

Thanks for your time, information, and advice. Good hunting, Tom

 

[specweldtom]

Federal left me a message yesterday. The short of it is that the 215M's are part of a general shortage of components caused mostly by demand from our gov't. He expects the shortages to last at least through this year, and recommends getting the stuff you need whenever you find it.

For what it's worth, Tom