Description
Hodgdon 50BMG is a slow-burning, spherical rifle propellant specifically engineered for heavy and robust cartridges like the .50 BMG. Its slow burn rate is ideal for high-volume charges necessary to achieve optimum performance in long-range and high-caliber applications. The spherical form of this powder facilitates exceptional metering properties, allowing for precise and consistent charge weights essential for accuracy and repeatability in handloaded ammunition. Renowned within the reloading community for its impressive temperature stability, Hodgdon 50BMG performs reliably across a wide range of environmental conditions, maintaining consistent velocities and pressures. Popular pairings include calibers such as .50 BMG and other large-capacity rifle cartridges requiring substantial powder loads. Load development with Hodgdon 50BMG should emphasize thorough testing at varied charge increments due to its energy-rich characteristics, ensuring safe and efficient load performance. An advantage for handloaders is its combination of metering ease and thermal stability, which supports constructing highly reliable and accurate long-range cartridges.
Specifications
Burn Rate
0.2 (Slow)
Bulk Density
0.934 g/cm³
Density
1.570 g/cm³
Temperature Sensitivity
Low
Suitable Substitutes
Powders with a similar burn rate that may be suitable alternatives (also see burn rate chart):
Standard Loads — Hodgdon 50BMG
Verified load data combinations using Hodgdon 50BMG.
.338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved
MAKER .338 | 350gr | MAKER SUB-REX 350gr
.375 Chey Tac
Berger .375 | 410gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target 410gr
.375 Chey Tac
Cutting Edge .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR 400gr
.375 Chey Tac
MAKER .375 | 400gr | MAKER REX SUB 400gr
.375 EnABELR
Berger .375 | 410gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target 410gr
.375 EnABELR
Cutting Edge .375 | 400gr | CutEdge MTH 400gr
.375 EnABELR
MAKER .375 | 400gr | MAKER REX SUB 400gr
Community Loads — Hodgdon 50BMG
Sample load data calculated with Hodgdon 50BMG.
You need a PRO license to unlock and view all data.
| Cartridge | Bullet | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | OAL (in) | Case Volume (GoW) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .308 | 250gr | Hornady A-TIP | 36.0 | 90.0 | 3.80 | 104.0 | 61,757 (97%) | 3012 | |
| .308 | 250gr | Hornady A-TIP | 36.0 | 86.0 | 3.80 | 104.0 | 53,026 (83%) | 2881 | |
| .338 | 300gr | Berger Hybrid Target | 30.0 | 105.0 | 3.98 | 124.9 | 57,392 (82%) | 2799 | |
| .338 | 300gr | Nosler AccuBond | 26.0 | ••.• | 3.81 | 137.0 | 62,551 (98%) | 2795 | |
| .338 | 300gr | Nosler AccuBond | 26.0 | ••.• | 3.81 | 137.0 | 58,877 (92%) | 2743 | |
| .338 | 300gr | Nosler AccuBond | 26.0 | ••.• | 3.81 | 137.0 | 57,064 (89%) | 2717 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 38.0 | ••.• | 4.51 | 161.0 | 61,105 (96%) | 2844 | |
| .375 | 410gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target | 36.0 | ••.• | 4.42 | 165.0 | 62,381 (98%) | 2818 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 30.0 | ••.• | 4.45 | 161.0 | 62,729 (98%) | 2733 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 30.0 | ••.• | 4.45 | 161.0 | 56,391 (88%) | 2648 | |
| .375 | 375gr | CutEdge LZR | 30.0 | ••.• | 4.51 | 161.0 | 43,584 (68%) | 2520 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 20.0 | ••.• | 4.51 | 161.0 | 61,105 (96%) | 2421 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 36.0 | ••.• | 4.64 | 156.3 | 55,347 (87%) | 2828 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 36.0 | ••.• | 4.48 | 156.3 | 54,650 (86%) | 2805 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 36.0 | ••.• | 4.64 | 156.3 | 51,387 (81%) | 2766 | |
| .375 | 400gr | CutEdge LZR | 36.0 | ••.• | 4.64 | 156.3 | 51,068 (80%) | 2762 | |
| .510 | 802gr | CutEdge MTAC | 27.0 | ••.• | 5.45 | 300.0 | 48,370 (90%) | 2388 |
Calculate Loads with Hodgdon 50BMG
Use our professional ballistics calculator to develop safe and accurate load recipes.
Start Calculating