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Posted: 2/12/2011 8:43:18 AM EDT
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Ok, I know this is maybe not the right spot for this ....or is it...I have tried to find something on reloading the 50 and can't find it....so I figured the "50 Cal" forum would be better..than the reloading forum...if there is one...in the RL forum...please post it...
I am starting to think that it would be cost effective to buy a reloading set up for the 50...mainly for plinking rounds and of course the SHTF....scenario, so if there are some reloaders out there for the 50...I would like to hear from you....I have some idea what it takes...one hell of alot of powder and materials...but is it really worth the extra equipment? SASS |
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Quoted:
Ok, I know this is maybe not the right spot for this ....or is it...I have tried to find something on reloading the 50 and can't find it....so I figured the "50 Cal" forum would be better..than the reloading forum...if there is one...in the RL forum...please post it... I am starting to think that it would be cost effective to buy a reloading set up for the 50...mainly for plinking rounds and of course the SHTF....scenario, so if there are some reloaders out there for the 50...I would like to hear from you....I have some idea what it takes...one hell of alot of powder and materials...but is it really worth the extra equipment? SASS Check this site out for reloading info,very informative. http://www.hevanet.com/temple/50reloading.html It is definately a good idea to start reloading. You can get a Lee kit for under $300.00, maybe closer to $200.00 on sale. I have a RCBS kit and 2 Lee kits, for plinking you can pay for the whole set up in a couple hundred rounds of reloads in the money you save. Plus you can tune the ammo to your rifle. I have used my Lee kit for loading match ammo for 1000 yard matches and was able to shoot .5MOA groups with it. The loaded round made with the Lee kit actually has a better runout than the rounds loaded with the RCBS die. The only downside to the Lee kit is the smaller dia. dies make it so you can't use CH4D or Mike Matters dies with it. It takes about 215 grains of .50BMG powder for a 750 Amax (7000 to a pound) about .60 cents a round, primers about .25-.30 cents, projectile .30 cents(surplus) to +$2.00(match), brass .65(once fired) cents to $1.75(New Match) each. You can get about 8 loads on good once fired brass before seeing problems and I have got 24 loads from my TZZ match brass so far with no problems. For plinking you can get 5010 ot 872 powder even cheaper. I say get a Lee kit and a good scale and go for it, you will not regret it. I can help with any questions if you want, I have been loading .50's for over 12 years with some pretty good results at 1000 yard matches. http://statearms.com/winners_circle/ Ed |
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We're almost all reloaders here.
The LEE kit is very serviceable. Not top end. But serviceable. If you have other reloading stuff for other calibers, the LEE kit and a few other accessories can get you going for a few hundred bucks. The Lee kit is how I started out loading 50 BMG. I'd suggest starting out with an RCBS Ammomaster II. It cost more but you can do more with it over time. I sold my LEE after about 1 year and bought the RCBS Ammomaster II. The problem with the LEE kit is it uses 1.25" dies. The STANDARD for 50 BMG dies is 1.5". Many maufacturers make dies in 1.5". Only LEE makes 1.25" My advice would be if you only plan to load ball/AP/API ammo and or you plan to load for ammo shortages, SHTF, stick with the LEE kit. It'll do just fine. But if you ever plan to do advanced match reloading where you decide to buy some fancy dies or a nice primer seater, you'll need the 1.5" setup. -David Edgewood, NM |
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I'm using the Lee currently. Really it pays for itself and then some in the first 100 rounds if you're loading match ammo.
My biggest complaint about the Lee is the thread is unique to the press. So RCBS, Redding, Forester, etc dies don't work in it. This becomes an issue if you want to neck size instead of FL size every time. Lee doesn't make a neck sizing die that I've found for the 50. One nice feature, and I'm sure all the presses have this, is the bushing that reduces the larger 50bmg die sizes down to that of the standard caliber dies. So your press doesn't have to be just for reloading the 50. Load up on supplies. Figure 250gr (just for overestimation's sake, don't actually load that much or you'll die) powder for every round. 7000gr to a pound and you see that you only get about 30 rounds out of a pound of powder. |
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Quoted:
I'm using the Lee currently. Really it pays for itself and then some in the first 100 rounds if you're loading match ammo. My biggest complaint about the Lee is the thread is unique to the press. So RCBS, Redding, Forester, etc dies don't work in it. This becomes an issue if you want to neck size instead of FL size every time. Lee doesn't make a neck sizing die that I've found for the 50. One nice feature, and I'm sure all the presses have this, is the bushing that reduces the larger 50bmg die sizes down to that of the standard caliber dies. So your press doesn't have to be just for reloading the 50. Load up on supplies. Figure 250gr (just for overestimation's sake, don't actually load that much or you'll die) powder for every round. 7000gr to a pound and you see that you only get about 30 rounds out of a pound of powder. Neck sizing is a simple as backing off the FL size die a hair. |
For $100 (+ $5 shipping) Lee will make you a "custom" collet neck sizing die for your 50 (you DON'T have to buy the dead length seater with it). You just have two send them two pieces of brass that were fired in your gun, and one of the bullets you plan on reloading. In addition to their two die set with the full length sizer, I bought one of these collet neck sizer dies to use for brass that has only been shot out of my ALS. It only took a couple of weeks to get the die made. 
Josh |
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Quoted:
We're almost all reloaders here. The LEE kit is very serviceable. Not top end. But serviceable. If you have other reloading stuff for other calibers, the LEE kit and a few other accessories can get you going for a few hundred bucks. The Lee kit is how I started out loading 50 BMG. I'd suggest starting out with an RCBS Ammomaster II. It cost more but you can do more with it over time. I sold my LEE after about 1 year and bought the RCBS Ammomaster II. The problem with the LEE kit is it uses 1.25" dies. The STANDARD for 50 BMG dies is 1.5". Many maufacturers make dies in 1.5". Only LEE makes 1.25" My advice would be if you only plan to load ball/AP/API ammo and or you plan to load for ammo shortages, SHTF, stick with the LEE kit. It'll do just fine. But if you ever plan to do advanced match reloading where you decide to buy some fancy dies or a nice primer seater, you'll need the 1.5" setup. -David Listen to David's advice, he knows what he is talking about and speaks from experience. Edgewood, NM |
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Neck sizing is a simple as backing off the FL size die a hair.[/quote] That didn't work when I tried it, the shoulders somehow got pushed out enough that the case would not chamber. Tried it several times but had to just full size the whole case bumping the shoulder enough to close the bolt with little resistance |
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