50 Alaskan as a less expensive 510 Whisper

[andym79]

Hi guys, I just wondered if anyone here was running a 50 Alaskan, with heavy slugs subsonic as a less expensive version of the 510 Whisper?

If so, do you have/need a fast twist. According to stability factors a 1.8" 950 grain bullet should be stable at 800f fps in a 1:15 twist is that so?

Finally if anyone is doing this, what level of accuracy do you get in the 50-200 yard range?

Thanks

 

[CraigC]

Why do you need a bullet that heavy?

 

[25-20 WCF]

My SSK barrel in .50 Whisper (.50-70-750) has a 10” twist and stabilizes bullets up to 800 grains (never tried anything heavier). I do not believe that a 1:15” twist would stabilize a 900+ bulket at only 800 fps. .50 BMG bullets are looooong, most with boat tails and lengthy ogives. IMO, JD would not have chosen a 1:10” twist unless it was required....


.

 

[Scooter22]

I don't know anything about the Whisper. But the 50 Alaskan is a rimmed case made from .348 Win brass that isn't easy to find and pretty expensive when you do. I recently looked for some and Starline has some in stock and from what I saw looking around is the most exspensive brass they sell.
348 Winchester (Large Rifle primer)

.348 Win
2.242 - 2.248 O.A.L.
The .348 Winchester was developed for the Winchester Model 71 lever action rifle in 1936. Touted as being one of the most powerful lever action cartridges available, it was popular for hunting large game all across America. The .348 Winchester also serves as the base for several wildcat cartridges.

Box Size:
• 250 ($429.50)
• 500 ($808.00)
• 1000 ($1,515.00)

Status: Available Now
Order

 

[CraigC]

Starline has .50AK brass and it's a lot less expensive, so there's no reason to form it from .348WCF.

 

[Scooter22]

Starline has .50AK brass and it's a lot less expensive, so there's no reason to form it from .348WCF.

Well so they do! Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't look that far down on the list. Now I'll have to email Starline and ask them why .348 brass is almost twice the price. They are already making the basic case so forming it to .348 can't be that much more..
50 Alaskan Brass (Large Rifle primer)

50 AK
2.095 - 2.102 O.A.L.
This cartridge is a lengthened version of the .500 Linebaugh. Case is 2.1 inches long. Designed for bear hunting. Guns are built by Hamilton Bower, Jim West, Reagan Nonneman and others.

Box Size:
• 250 ($271.50)
• 500 ($490.00)
• 1000 ($925.50)

Status: Available Now
Order

 

[CraigC]

Probably because the market for .348 brass is so small.

 

[Scooter22]

Probably because the market for .348 brass is so small.

Yeah I get that but usually Starline is cheaper because they sell by quantity like the minimum 250 box. That works out to 1.72 a case. The same price as other brands in their 20 or 50 ct. Luckily Midway just had a sale price and I got some QC brass .348 for 1.15 a case.

 

[andym79]

My SSK barrel in .50 Whisper (.50-70-750) has a 10” twist and stabilizes bullets up to 800 grains (never tried anything heavier). I do not believe that a 1:15” twist would stabilize a 900+ bulket at only 800 fps. .50 BMG bullets are looooong, most with boat tails and lengthy ogives. IMO, JD would not have chosen a 1:10” twist unless it was required....


.

I am a bit concerned about the 1:15 stabilizing, some calculators say yes, some no. I might add the bullet I am looking at is cast so a lot shorter for its length than a Jacket, but still at 1.8" long its a bit of an ask! But my only other choice is 1:8 that seems might quick for a 50 cal.

 

[CraigC]

Again, what is the reason for a bullet that heavy? The 1-15" twist should do fine with the 525gr WFN and I see no reason for anything heavier.