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Posted: 10/3/2016 3:03:52 PM EDT
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Is there any specific sizer and method recommended for resizing 50bmg pulled API bullets? |
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CH4D.com sells one, you can call and order, the one you want is the .5095. Or just tell them it's the one for 50 BMG and they'll hook you up.
If you have a Lee press then get the one that Lee makes as both are smaller. If you have a big press like Hornady or RCBS, you can use the Lee sizer as your press "should've" come with a thread reducer for using smaller dies. |
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Quoted:
I use the CH4D .5095" sizing die set. I've done over a thousand with this too. I use imperial sizing wax and an occasional spray of Remington oil. Always pre lube the die will some oil before you start on the inside. There are definitely some out of round pulls out there that really take some lube and force to get through. |
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Mostly you're just sizing down the pull marks left by the equipment pulling the bullets. There is some spring back so even a .509.5 or a .510 sizer won't make the resized bullets perfectly round or perfectly .510". Measuring
across the pull marks may measure slightly more than .510" but they will be safe to shoot. Most will slide easily through the sizing die while a few are extremely tight. Use a good lube such as Imperial Sizing or I use Dillon's case lube by rolling the bullets on a lube pad. Once you start a bullet through the sizing die keep heavy pressure on the handle and do not stop or you'll stick a bullet in the sizer. I prefer to size the bullets just to make them fit in the case mouth correctly without leaving slight bulges in the neck and for better bullet tension in the neck. Some size them by shooting them through their barrel. Takes a press with pretty good leverage especially for the tight bullets. Lee's .510 sizer is adequate but the .509.5 CH-4d is probably best. Myself, I made my sizing die and heat treated it and it works great. Just in case you stick a bullet in a die, don't hammer on the bullet tip trying to get it unstuck or you will ignite the Incendiary. Again, put heavy pressure on the press handle and don't slow down or stop or you may stick a bullet in the sizer. |
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"...or you will ignite the Incendiary"
Serious question: have you, or anyone you directly know, ever actually see this happen? I ask because I've TRIED to make it happen. I'm talking "sledge hammer and plate of steel" tried. No how no way could I do it. If you get a projectile stuck: Raise the die in the press until the ram just knees over then lower the die a little bit and do it again and again until the projo passes. the point of maximum leverage is your friend. 
As a side note: resizing dies are normally not heat treated: they are ion nitrided. the alloy they are made from isnt even hardenable -all brands are made of 12L14. I found this out talking to the old guy at CH4D one day. He said the distortion from heat treating was a problem 12L14 gets an exceptional finish when machining and polishing and that perfect profile is unaffected both in surface finish and dimension by nitriding them. |
| No, never tried to hammer an incendiary bullet tip to light it but I wouldn't try. Yes heat treating does alter the size slightly. Mine I left about half a thousandths big then polished and finished it to size. Can't be too hard either or they will break. Just want the surface hardened. Not a metal or heat treat specialist, just used to be a part time machinist at work. Good point on adjusting the sizer giving the press more leverage. |
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