Fireforming 500 A-Square

[francois_458]

Good day all. I am in the process of fireforming new brass for my 500 A-Square. Its 460 brass from betram already necked up to .510
Im having some trouble getting the brass to form. I'm trying to avoid using standard loads form the process (trying to save my shoulder and wallet). I am currently using about 14.5gr of Somchem ms200, tissue paper packed tightly as a filler and candle wax as a plug. This though is only barely moving the brass and it is nowhere close to forming to the chamber
Anyone else have some recipes or ideas that might work
TIA

 

[francois_458]

Thanks
I just tried increasing the powder charge and that seems to be working. I guess i was a little apprehensive about using too much pistol powder. 28gr of somchem ms200 and the same tissue paper and wax plug seems to be forming nicely

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

@francois_458 I tried to post a link to an article on Accurate Shooter but this forum software deletes links to other shooting websites.

Here is a YouTube video on using Cream of Wheat as a filler for fire forming.

 

[Luvthunt]

@francois_458 I tried to post a link to an article on Accurate Shooter but this forum software deletes links to other shooting websites.

Here is a YouTube video on using Cream of Wheat as a filler for fire forming.

Wow Mark
That brings back memories

 

[JMJ888]

I don't know what the comparable powder is over there but for my 500A2 I used to load 21gr. of Unique topped off with cream of wheat and then I got a dowel rod to cram toilet paper down on top. I kept the rounds upright and then fired them with the rifle pointing about 20-30 degrees away from me and it formed a pretty strong neck and shoulder. Word of note if its dry out make sure you have some water handy as flaming TP can cause some issues in a hurry.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I was able to form A2 brass from.416 Wby brass using unique, cornmeal, and a tp wad without much difficulty. I lost one or two in the process, but no more.

 

[Jon R15]

I don't know what the comparable powder is over there but for my 500A2 I used to load 21gr. of Unique topped off with cream of wheat and then I got a dowel rod to cram toilet paper down on top. I kept the rounds upright and then fired them with the rifle pointing about 20-30 degrees away from me and it formed a pretty strong neck and shoulder. Word of note if its dry out make sure you have some water handy as flaming TP can cause some issues in a hurry.

I am in the process of fire forming some 460wby to 500A2. How much cream of wheat and TP did you use? What primer did you use as well?

 

[Jefferry404]

used 10gn Titegrp, large pistol primer, COW with 3D printed slug to fireform 416 Cheytac from 408 CT Peterson brass.

 

[analog_peninsula]

My records say that I only used about 13.0 grains of unique, but that also may have just been where I started. Next, add cornmeal up to the shoulder. Then about 1/4 of a sheet as a wad to keep everything in place. If the shoulder isn’t sufficiently defined, add a couple grains more powder. I probably used a magnum rifle primer, but others seem to do well with pistol primers.

 

[JMJ888]

Rule of thumb I use is 15% of H2O capacity as powder charge…I used 20gr of Unique…filled up to the shoulder with cream of wheat and a 1/4 sheet of toilet paper. I used a 3/8” dowel rod to press it all down firm. Either large rifle or mag primer will work.

 

[Jon R15]

Thank you for the help. Fortunately I have some 500A2 fired brass, Unique powder and magnum primers to compare my fire formed cream of wheat loads / TP loads. I ran the new 460wby brass through the 500A2 full length size dies and will load and post the results.