Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/10/2010 2:21:17 PM EDT
|
I've got an AR50 and have been shooting American Eagle ball. I'd like to get into reloading the BMG since I currently reload for everything else I have. I haven't got into any competition shooting and probably won't, but I still want something that produces quality ammo. I know there's presses out there that are in the thousand dollar range and that's not what I'm looking to spend.
I've been looking at the RCBS and the Hornady. I hear that they are the exact same press only different color. Is there any benefit to one or the other? Are parts interchangeable? Which has better dies? Hornady has the Lock-n-Load dies. Do they both prime the same way? Any comments? |
|
I've owned both the Lee Classic 50 BMG kit and the RCBS Ammomaster II 50 BMG kit. I prefer the Ammomaster II but mostly just because it's more convenient (you don't have to tip the round in when you are seating bullets).
Get either a Hornady or RCBS...whichever you find for a better price. And if you're on a budget, the Lee Classic Cast setup will work just fine too. -David Edgewood, NM |
|
I have the Hornady Press kit.
The Kit came with a Lock-N-Load adapter. Here is what I like about the Hornady. The Lock-N-Load feature allows you to quickly change out from the shell holder to the Ram-Prime on the Ram. Also, after you decap/resize, and you remove the die, you then install the adapter and the Lock-N-Load shell holder just twists into the adapter at the top of the press. When you are ready to charge the case, what I do is I have a Lock_n-Load bushing on my Hornady 50 BMG Powder measure and I just twist it into the top of the press and charge my cases one at a time with the powder measure mounted on the top of the press. I also leave it there in the press for storage/stowage instead of putting it away somewhere else or having it permanently mounted to the bench. Of course you wouldn't need this feature if you plan on charging your cases by other means. The Lock-N-Load feature just as the RCBS does, allows me to be able to do smaller cartridges as well. I plan on using it to reload .338 Lapua. One other thing; I have read and others have stated their positions on reloading the once-fired Military (M2) brass. I do not recommend trying to resize them without annealing the case necks first. I have read that others have been able to do it and or sometimes they get a case stuck, but I tried it and I didn't want to get a case stuck. I found that if I anneal the case necks first, they resize almost as easy as the new Igman brass that I have. |
|
Quoted:
RF- what are you useing to anneal the brass? I clamp my 1/2 drill into my vise, chuck pointing up. Then I use a deep well socket (I think it is one of my 19mm sockets) with a 3/8 down to 1/4 adapter to chuck into the drill. Turn the drill on slow, set a case down in it and then hit it with a propane torch. I get set up and can do 100 cases in a short period of time. Left hand loads the cases and the right hand holds the torch. |
|
Quoted:
do you heat the mouth of the case untill red or hold it for a few seconds? I've heard of putting the primmer end of the case in water to let cool, do you do that? Pics or vid would be great.  I made a thread about reloading and annealing, you can read it here what others have said. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=3&t=304325 |
| I have the RCBS 50 press and it does the job. I would like it to be heavier duty. It's a converted press converted from an AmmoMaster press. I do think the Hornady press which is identical to the RCBS would be nice with the lock and load feature which would be very handy when switching between operations. That would allow you to keep dies etc. set without adjusting every time you switch operations. |
|
Quoted:
Well darn it, I was thinking of going with the RCBS but now maybe the Hornady. I know there basically the same, but I'm liking the Lock-n-Load feature. Are the dies any different between RCBS and Hornady? I can't speak for the RCBS dies and I am sure they are both the same as far as quality. I have resized both new Igman brass as well as once-fired LC MIL brass. Both feed/chamber fine in our M99 as well as our M107. No tightness closing or opening the bolt on the M99. With the seat and crimp Hornady die, I run the ram up and seat the bullet 1/2 way, lower the ram turn the cartridge approx 180 degrees and then do final seating/crimping. I checked the bullet runout using this method and I am getting 0.006" to 0.007" runout measured at the bullet just above the cannelure. I havent' tried jsut seating a bullet without rotating, I amy give that a shot and see if any difference. This runout is with SA 690gr ball ammo. Do any of you guys check runout and if so, what do you think 0.006" will do to my accuracy? Should I bother correcting the runout on this ball ammo? |
|
Quoted:
According to the Midway website, it says the Ammomaster says it has a 6-3/4" ram stroke and the Hornady has a 4-1/2" stroke. Is that a type-o? Also where's the best place/site to buy the RCBS Ammomaster? I just measured my Hornady: From the top surface of the base plate to the bottom surface of the top plate is a full 7.5" From the top of the Shell holder installed (into the Lock N Load receiver of the RAM) to the bottom surface of the top plate is a full 6.5" The total RAM stroke is 5.75" from RAM full down to full up. I would assume that since they are the same press with the exception of the Lock N Load receiver on the RAM, that the stroke and dimensions would be the same. I don't know where Midway came up with that 4.5" RAM stroke? |
|
I am also new to 50 BMG reloading. After doing some research I am pretty much set on the RCBS Ammo master II kit. I know it is more expensive than the Lee but assuming it is built like my RCBS rock crusher, I will be more than satisfied. I’ve also heard that especially with mil surplus brass, the handles on the Lee presses break? Has anyone else experienced or heard of this?
Also, does anyone have a suggestion as to who sells a less expensive factory ball type bullet? I often use Speer or Remington bullets for my 30 cals and was hoping to find something for my 50 that is of similar cost/quality. |
| From my understanding, the RCBS and Hornady presses are the same except for the color and available options. So if you want one I would buy the one that's cheaper being that they're the same. You can also check Bose's guns, Bruno's shooters supply, Lock, Stock & Barrel or Midsouth Shooters Supply. |
| The Lee is not up to the worst case (heh) resizing scenario: M2 brass out of a badly headspaced weapon. Trust me on this. You will break/bend stuff on the Lee trying that. The good part is that Lee will stand behind their warranty and replace the parts for free. The bad part is that you will be down until the parts arrive. |
Armory Sponsor