.50 BMG reloading - Page 1

Armory » Reloading

Posted: 9/17/2020 6:45:43 PM EDT

Going to be pulling the trigger on a third press....a Lee .50 bmg. What else do I need? I'm eyeing the Lyman trimmer. What about case lube/chamfer/primer pocket cleaner/etc.?

Thanks!

Posted: 9/17/2020 7:16:41 PM EDT

[#1]

Everything is bigger and more expensive. I used the Hornady measure as it would throw 216 grains in one throw.

Only thing I didn't have to buy new was the scale.

Posted: 9/17/2020 7:19:05 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Everything is bigger and more expensive. I used the Hornady measure as it would throw 216 grains in one throw.

Only thing I didn't have to buy new was the scale.

View Quote

I already have/use a cabelas digital scale...will that now work?

Posted: 9/17/2020 7:59:22 PM EDT

[#3]

Use plenty of lube and don’t force anything.

The Lee 50 presses are prone to breakage when resizing M2 brass.

Posted: 9/17/2020 9:07:05 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Use plenty of lube and don’t force anything.

The Lee 50 presses are prone to breakage when resizing M2 brass.

View Quote

Yup. I've seen lube stressed in the vids showing it. She must me TIGHT!

Posted: 9/17/2020 10:52:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

I already have/use a cabelas digital scale...will that now work?

View Quote

Should work fine as long as it has enough capacity and is reliable.

Posted: 9/17/2020 10:55:40 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Use plenty of lube and don’t force anything.

The Lee 50 presses are prone to breakage when resizing M2 brass.

View Quote

I bought and shot 100 rds of Igman ammo to get the brass and to avoid dealing with M.G. cases.

But yeah use enough lube.

Posted: 9/17/2020 10:58:43 PM EDT

[#7]

I have a Lee press, and bought the Lee deburring and primer combo tools, and a Lyman 50 trimmer
They work fine for no more 50 than I load.

Don't forget lots of Sizing Wax.

Posted: 9/17/2020 11:04:05 PM EDT

[#8]

Need a primer pocket uniformer such as the RCBS carbide or K&M's 50 BMG uniformer. Needs to be adjustable for depth. Have to have some method to remove the heavy military crimp on the primer pocket. Need a case mouth deburr tool. Same tools needed for regular rifle except 'bigger".

Posted: 9/18/2020 9:43:46 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a Lee press, and bought the Lee deburring and primer combo tools, and a Lyman 50 trimmer
They work fine for no more 50 than I load.

Don't forget lots of Sizing Wax.

View Quote

Thanks for the info.

Not sure what you mean by the part in bold....?

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:01:31 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks for the info.

Not sure what you mean by the part in bold....?

View Quote

I load a couple of hundred rounds of 50 a year, if that. Most of my time is spent loading for PRS / NRL matches, hunting, training, etc. My M99 is just a fun gun that isn't used as often as others. If I were going to load more than that, I would look elsewhere for a press. The Lee is fine, but it isn't a high output machine.

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:06:45 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I load a couple of hundred rounds of 50 a year, if that. Most of my time is spent loading for PRS / NRL matches, hunting, training, etc. My M99 is just a fun gun that isn't used as often as others. If I were going to load more than that, I would look elsewhere for a press. The Lee is fine, but it isn't a high output machine.

View Quote

Oh ok, that makes sense. With only having a couple of single-shot .50's, I can't see shooting more than a couple hundred rounds a year. So I think the Lee should do just fine. Just curious, what powder do you use?

I only bought a pound of the .50bmg powder (and primers) as an impulse buy years ago. But I know I've seen other powders used.

Thanks!

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:25:16 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Oh ok, that makes sense. With only having a couple of single-shot .50's, I can't see shooting more than a couple hundred rounds a year. So I think the Lee should do just fine. Just curious, what powder do you use?

I only bought a pound of the .50bmg powder (and primers) as an impulse buy years ago. But I know I've seen other powders used.

Thanks!

View Quote

I use H50 for match rounds, and pull down powder from Pat's Reloading for Ball rounds, and API.

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:29:51 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use H50 for match rounds, and pull down powder from Pat's Reloading for Ball rounds, and API.

View Quote

This??

Seems ridiculously cheap.

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:32:14 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

This??

Seems ridiculously cheap.

View Quote

Yessir. I believe I bought a bunch of WC 860. I'm not in my gun room right now, but I can check later.

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:37:31 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Use plenty of lube and don’t force anything.

The Lee 50 presses are prone to breakage when resizing M2 brass.

View Quote

What breaks?

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:43:05 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

What breaks?

View Quote

The handle will bend, and I beleiev the rear hole that anchors to the bench has been known to crack.

Posted: 9/18/2020 10:43:10 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yessir. I believe I bought a bunch of WC 860. I'm not in my gun room right now, but I can check later.

View Quote

WOW! No clue on shipping or service, but price-wise this Pat's seems like an absolute bargain for bullets and powder!! Not sure if $185 for 500 primers is cheap though. I'd have to check/compare elsewhere.

My (new) range has no restrictions on bullets so I'd probably go with API. Even though they are the military's go-to .50 cal round, I'm guessing MK211 (Raufoss) bullets in bulk isn't a thing or I'd be backing up a truck for those!

Thanks!

Posted: 9/18/2020 12:11:56 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

WOW! No clue on shipping or service, but price-wise this Pat's seems like an absolute bargain for bullets and powder!! Not sure if $185 for 500 primers is cheap though. I'd have to check/compare elsewhere.

My (new) range has no restrictions on bullets so I'd probably go with API. Even though they are the military's go-to .50 cal round, I'm guessing MK211 (Raufoss) bullets in bulk isn't a thing or I'd be backing up a truck for those!

Thanks!

View Quote

Yeah, the going price for CCI is about $0.50 apiece. No, you won't be finding much Mk211 lol.

Posted: 9/18/2020 12:28:51 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

WOW! No clue on shipping or service, but price-wise this Pat's seems like an absolute bargain for bullets and powder!! Not sure if $185 for 500 primers is cheap though. I'd have to check/compare elsewhere.

My (new) range has no restrictions on bullets so I'd probably go with API. Even though they are the military's go-to .50 cal round, I'm guessing MK211 (Raufoss) bullets in bulk isn't a thing or I'd be backing up a truck for those!

Thanks!

View Quote

Pat's screws you over royally with shipping. Was charged $100 for a 30lb box of bullets

. No disclosure of shipping costs upfront.