Case life for large pistol rounds like .50AE or .46S&W
- Thread starter Gobc
- Start date
I had a 500 S&W and its "case life" was entirely dependent on the pressure I employed and came down to when the primer pockets were too loose to properly grip a primer. Max loads did that in 5-6 firings. Mild cast loads did not produce that effect in more than 10 firings.
It's the same as with rifles. Annealing can extend the time before cracks develop, but high pressure usually impact primer pockets before necks crack.
No-one can give you a definitive number as it depends on the brass, pressure and your chamber.
It's the same as with rifles. Annealing can extend the time before cracks develop, but high pressure usually impact primer pockets before necks crack.
No-one can give you a definitive number as it depends on the brass, pressure and your chamber.
I also have upwards of 7 reloads on my Hornady 460 Mag brass. Originally 200 gr FTX max loads. I suspect I’ll get a few more from the looks of them. I load up near max but not all the way. Still lots of boom and excitement.
mmcintyre1220
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Tillsonburg, Ontario
I own both and have excellent life with both rounds. The 50AE is not nearly as hot as made out to be. The 460 is usually good for 10-12 loading's typically 52 grains of 296 under a 200 grain hornady ftx
Pressure is pressure, max loads should have the same effect on primer pockets whether it's a heavier or lighter bullet.
For 50AE my brass is ejected to oblivion, so I lose them or someone steals them before any has ever reached end of life. No such problem with revolvers.
I would expect the case to last a very long time. SAAMI pressure for 50AE is 36k psi (the same as 44 magnum). Compare that to 62k psi for a 308, and you see how the pistol brass should last quite a while. The maximum pressure of a 500S&W is 60k psi, so the primer pockets will eventually give up if you load them to maximum.
I would expect the case to last a very long time. SAAMI pressure for 50AE is 36k psi (the same as 44 magnum). Compare that to 62k psi for a 308, and you see how the pistol brass should last quite a while. The maximum pressure of a 500S&W is 60k psi, so the primer pockets will eventually give up if you load them to maximum.
If I had to chose it woul;d be the .460S&W. Flexibility of using three calibres: 45LC, 454 Casull & 460 S&W
That means more selection/ availability / flexibility when both shooting and reloading.
**WARNING**: the grin displayed from shooting powerhouse .460 loads may be difficult to remove!
That means more selection/ availability / flexibility when both shooting and reloading.
**WARNING**: the grin displayed from shooting powerhouse .460 loads may be difficult to remove!
please, you can load the 500mag to any of those specs and still say you's is shooting a 50 cal
casting required of course.That being said the 460 super hot roddeed with a light bullet will produce the best flash bang and loudest bang. My 357 mag with 125 gr bullets sounds like a 44 mag, i think 22gr of h110.
But he's asking .50AE 0r .460 S&W. As you mention.. no casting required for the .460 lots of options and selections always commercially available. Both the .50AE and .500S&W are a lot less readily (commercially) available.
