Anyone reloading 50 BMG?

[Danattherock]

I intentionally waited on this until I got more educated into reloading in general. I now have a fairly firm grasp on safe reloading practices. It's time to start feeding the big boy.

I'm set up to load about ten cartridges currently, four on my Dillon 550, and several other lower volume or accuracy oriented pursuits on my Rock Chucker.

My wife bought me an Armalite AR-50 BMG as a wedding present about 8 years back. At that time I bought 300 rounds of Talon ammo for about $400. Now, similar ammo is 2-3x that price. The gun unfortunately was an art piece in my foyer as I had nowhere to shoot it.

Recently, I have discovered two 1000-1200 yard ranges within 3-4 hours of my home. My interest in this 50 BMG has been rekindled. I took the Burris Black Diamond 8-32 off the BMG and put it on an AR-15 with Krieger 20" for load development. It's 1/8 click and a poor choice for long range scope anyway. Suggest a scope if you have any opinion. Ideally, under $1,000.

But back to the purpose of this thread, I need to start reloading for this gun if I'm going to be able to shoot it often as I would like. I can't pay $5/shot for mediocre ammo. I want to load some very high quality rounds with 750 gr Amax.

What press would you suggest? Dies? Any other 50 BMG specific tools? I have a RCBS case prep center, RCBS hand priming tool, and Forster Original case trimmer. I have RCBS 502 scales and a RCBS Chargemaster 1500.

Greatly appreciate any suggestions you may offer. I realize not many folks are reloading 50 BMG and appreciate your patience and candor as I post this rather odd request. Just hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction. I'm tired of looking at this gun. I want to shoot it more.


Dan

 

[Travelor]

I have the same rifle as you and reload for it. At the time I started reloading surplus bullets were cheap, but since have gone up.................... Best bullet for accuracy is the 750 grain Hornady A-Max. Here is one source for surplus bullets. (If they are pinch pulled they will have marks on the that look like they were held by plyers and will need to be sized and they really don't shoot well. But cheaper.) The incendiary rounds are great fun as they explode when hitting a hard target - big flash.

As the cartridge is so BIG, normal presses won't work. So I bought the Lee 50 BMG Kit. http://leeprecision.com/50-bmg/ It is a steel frame O-style press and a good one. The kit comes with dies and is far and away the best for your money.

Hope you saved your cases as they are going for about $1.10 each now. You will probably need a tool to remove the crimped primer. I use the same tool that I use to chamfer the inside of "normal" cartridge cases. Works MUCH better than the tools that swage the crimps out and is free if you have the tool already.

Powder I use Hodgdon 50 BMG. I tried the IMR 5010 and it cased muzzle brake erosion. Currently I am loading 215 grains of 50 BMG powder with the 750 Gr A-Max bullet as it is very accurate in my AR-50.

Hold you breath when you shop for primers as they are expensive. I see TULA is making them and Powder Valley is selling them for $52 for 250 which is cheap but they are put of them. CCI makes them also but they are around $200 for 500. I use CCI as TULA was not available when I got mine.

One great source of information on 50 BMG is the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association. http://www.fcsa.org/ I highly recommend joining them as they fight for our right to own these great rifles.

 

[mac86951]

All I can say is on your scope. The Burris black diamond 8-32 will be hard to beat under $1K. 1/8 moa adjustments are good at long range, at 1K yards 1MOA is ~10 inches, so 1/8 of that is a finer adjust than 1/4. Which let's you sight in better.

I'd recommend a mil-dot scope to assist in hold-offs and ranging, and more magnification. Look to Sightron or Vortex, but unsure of how they will hold up to the big 50.

-Mac

 

[Danattherock]

Thanks guys. Anyone using the Lee neck collet for 50 BMG?

Any opinions on the Lee kit vs the RCBS kit?

Is CH4D worth the dough? Any logic in getting the Lee 50 BMG kit and perhaps adding the bullet seater from Ch4D? Which is very similar to the Forster Ultra seating die I just bought.

Also, what are some good online retailers for components. Imparticularly brass, I would like to buy new brass.

Any advice at all appreciated. I joined the 50 caliber club FSCA or such, back when I first got the gun. But they were not a very friendly bunch and my questions on the forum were generally ignored. I had just bought the rifle and needed ammo, scope, mounts, etc. they were of little help. No need in paying another $40 to join a group of guys that frown on newbies. Pointless.


But now I finally have a 1000 yard range and I'm excited. Ordering reloading gear as soon as I can get some basic insights on how the few kits compare. Will be shooting groups at 1000 yards primarily, so I want to be able to produce some low runout ammo.

Excited to see Lee offer the neck collet die, but can't find a body die anywhere. Concerned using the neck collet then running case through the standard FL sizer will negate any benefits of the neck collet. I could be wrong of course, this is a very new system to me on my 223 anno, but it essentially eliminated runout when I employed it.


Any books on 50 BMG reloading. Any particular member here i might pester with a PM? Any suggestions at all guys.



Dan

 

[kmon]

I have the Lee press and standard dies for it. My load for the 750 A-Max bullets is 214 grains of 50BMG seated so they will fit the mag in my Anzio Iron Works 50. The range I shoot at most of the time only gets out to 325 yards but the last 5 shot group I shot from there was 1.6 center to center.,

For scope I went with a Bushnell 6500 2.5X15 it has held up well so far. Brass found just over 300 pieces of once fired at a small town salvage yard. Primers I am using CCI. Have used the case debur tool, but a countersink bit in an electric drill is easier on the hands, just do not get carried away with it. Have since bought the attachments for the 50 to use on the RCBS case prep center and that works pretty well.

 

[Danattherock]

Great info. Thank you.

Where online can I buy 50 BMG components?

Where can I buy new brass? And any particular brand I should look for?

 

[kmon]

LC Brass is about as good as it gets and will last through quite a few loads.

I haven't bought any in several years, stocked up about 7 years ago and still working on that so haven't bought in a while other than some A-Max bullets from Cabela's Gift cards are good things.

The range I shot at the most stopped allowing 50's so it is a 3 hour drive to the lease for a place to shoot. Don't shoot it nearly as much these days. Now on Blood Thinners so afraid to shoot it, know one shot from mine would leave the shoulder purple. At 26lbs and a smaller break on it than comes on the AR-50 recoil is considerably more.

 

[Dans40X]

Dan,
Hopefully,you lube cases well & don't have to endure the fiasco of collet &/or neck dies as w/ your 5.56/223 Mouse Gun.

A Leupold 8.5-25X50LR T SF MilDot will serve you well.
A 50BMG w/ Mzl brake, will in due time, shake any scope to pieces.

I've been running McMillan Action custom builds for over 20+ years now.
I load on an RCBS AmmoMaster thru RCBS & CH4D 1-1/2" dies.

When the getting was good,I acquired-
Milk crates of once fired LC brass
Cases(2500) of CCI #35 primers @<$60/500brick
VV 20N29 8Lb powder jugs @<$125
VV 40N41 8Lb powder jugs @<$125
Pull down IMR 5010 8Lb jugs @<$35
700gr M2 ball projectiles @<$.004 each
647gr ball projectiles @<$.004 each
Raufus rounds @<$2.00 each

Call me a hoarder if you will.................but I have supplies/components!!!!

The Hornady 750 A-MAX's shoot...but do not expect every one to be to call!
The Barnes 750/800gr Bore Rider solids are the bullet of choice.
I turn mine.

 

[CatShooter]

I bought my 50 (AR-50) back before every one had to have a 50, so stuff wasn't hard to get. When one friend heard I had a 50-BMG, he said he had some LC 50 brass he would swap for any Fed 308.... said he didn't know how much he had, but would send it all.
So I sent his 2,000 pieces of Fed 308.
Two weeks later, I got a shipment (by truck) of 1,200 pounds of LC 50-BMG cases in 5 gallon plastic barrels..

My press is a Hornady up grade of the RCBS - at the time, it was cheaper than the RCBS 'cuz they had just come out with it and needed the exposure. It is a VAST improvement over the RCBS. Also use the Hornady dies - they are match grade and the best I have seen. I have FL, Neck, and Seater.

To load mil-surp pulls, I needed to get the RCBS seater, 'cuz it has slop in it, and the Hornady seater is a sliding sleeve seater (like a Redding comp, or a Forster BR) and was too close in bullet size to accommodate the puller marks.

I tried the CH4D bullet sizer, but in the end, I decided to size the mil-surp pulled bullets at 2.700 fps. There was no loss in accuracy.

With the 750 A-Maxs, I get 1/2" groups.

Scope is an original B&L (not Bushnell) 10x tac, with 145 moa of up elevation.

I have fired it at 1900 meters, and I have enough total scope elevation to go to a calculated 2990 meters.

 

[Danattherock]

I bought my 50 (AR-50) back before every one had to have a 50, so stuff wasn't hard to get. When one friend heard I had a 50-BMG, he said he had some LC 50 brass he would swap for any Fed 308.... said he didn't know how much he had, but would send it all.
So I sent his 2,000 pieces of Fed 308.
Two weeks later, I got a shipment (by truck) of 1,200 pounds of LC 50-BMG cases in 5 gallon plastic barrels..

My press is a Hornady up grade of the RCBS - at the time, it was cheaper than the RCBS 'cuz they had just come out with it and needed the exposure. It is a VAST improvement over the RCBS. Also use the Hornady dies - they are match grade and the best I have seen. I have FL, Neck, and Seater.

To load mil-surp pulls, I needed to get the RCBS seater, 'cuz it has slop in it, and the Hornady seater is a sliding sleeve seater (like a Redding comp, or a Forster BR) and was too close in bullet size to accommodate the puller marks.

I tried the CH4D bullet sizer, but in the end, I decided to size the mil-surp pulled bullets at 2.700 fps. There was no loss in accuracy.

With the 750 A-Maxs, I get 1/2" groups.

Scope is an original B&L (not Bushnell) 10x tac, with 145 moa of up elevation.

I have fired it at 1900 meters, and I have enough total scope elevation to go to a calculated 2990 meters.

Thanks Catshooter. I always appreciate your input.


I'm ordering a 50 BMG reloading kit today. Hoping to strike some balance between a RCBS/Hornady kit and some individual tools/dies from CH4D. They have some high end stuff, but I can't go with their gear exclusively at this point for financial reasons.

Had back surgery last week and will be on the bench for a few weeks. I did notice the bushing type bullet seater CH4D sells, reminds me in utility to the Forster Ultra seater I recently bought. That should make a high quality bullet seater.

Then due to my newfound confidence in the Lee neck collet die, which I see they now make for 50 BMG. I'm contacting them about a custom body die or reaming out the effecting parts of their FL die so that I might be able to use a Lee neck collet and body die arrangement.

Main drawback with that is Lee 50 BMG dies are of proprietary threading as I understand it and I wouldn't be able to use the high quality CH4D bullet seater. As always, the more I think I leran, the more questions that arrise. Thanks for the thought provoking contributions here. I greatly appreciate it.



Dan

 

[CatShooter]

Dan...

GET THE HORNADY KIT - there is no comparison between the two.

Hornady buys the RCBS press from RCBS, then they go to work on it... the press is soooooo much improved that there is no comparison - same with the dies - out-frigin-standing (and I am NOT a Hornady die fan).

 

[Danattherock]

Hornady kit looks good. Read about some improvements it had over the green press. While I'm not competing at 1000 yard benchrest, that's essentially my goal. Likely all I will use this rifle for, shooting smallest groups I can at the soon to be open 1000 range a few hours from me.

Point is, I'm not looking to mass produce so-so quality rounds that are affordable. Although I can appreciate why other shooters, especially higher volume shooters would go this route.

I hear mixed reviews on the Lee kit, but no more than I shoot this gun, it's a viable option. But with proprietary threading, it takes away the chance for me to use a high quality bullet seater, among other things from CH4D. They of course seem to make high end stuff, more so that I can afford. I will be making monthly trips to this range in all likelihood, shooting 50 rounds or so.

Is there any logical arrangement of parts that would allow me to but the basic Hornady 50 BMG kit, then add a particularly nice tool/die from CH4D to make higher quality ammo than the Hornady kit would alone? The gun is slightly better than MOA now, I understand it has a 700 group shilen trigger that I will get lightened.

I've got a good quality 32x scope. With decent reloads, I'm hoping to shoot some groups on 18" paper that I will be proud of. Just trying to find some balance in quality and value. This is after all, not a high end McMillian 50 BMG benchret gun.



Dan

 

[CatShooter]

Hornady kit looks good. Read about some improvements it had over the green press. While I'm not competing at 1000 yard benchrest, that's essentially my goal. Likely all I will use this rifle for, shooting smallest groups I can at the soon to be open 1000 range a few hours from me.

Point is, I'm not looking to mass produce so-so quality rounds that are affordable. Although I can appreciate why other shooters, especially higher volume shooters would go this route.

I hear mixed reviews on the Lee kit, but no more than I shoot this gun, it's a viable option. But with proprietary threading, it takes away the chance for me to use a high quality bullet seater, among other things from CH4D. They of course seem to make high end stuff, more so that I can afford. I will be making monthly trips to this range in all likelihood, shooting 50 rounds or so.

Is there any logical arrangement of parts that would allow me to but the basic Hornady 50 BMG kit, then add a particularly nice tool/die from CH4D to make higher quality ammo than the Hornady kit would alone? The gun is slightly better than MOA now, I understand it has a 700 group shilen trigger that I will get lightened.

I've got a good quality 32x scope. With decent reloads, I'm hoping to shoot some groups on 18" paper that I will be proud of. Just trying to find some balance in quality and value. This is after all, not a high end McMillian 50 BMG benchret gun.



Dan

You will not be at a disadvantage with the Hornady dies.

How much total elevation do you have in your 32x scope. You want to set it up so the turret is at the bottom of the elevation range, if possible, so you can access all the "up" available.

With a 50-BMG, 1,000 yards might seem like a long way now, but...

... you will get hungry

 

[Danattherock]

I feel ya man. But I got nowhere to shoot past 1000. This 1000 yard range opening is the only reason I'm tinkering with this 50 BMG now. Had it about a decade and shot about 150-200 rounds, basically just broke the barrel in properly by Armalites very tedious suggestions. Hard to enjoy shooting 50 BMG at 100-200 yards, which are most ranges around here. Like driving a Ferrari in the Walmart parking lot. So, 1000 yards is all I see in my future.

The scope is a Burris 8-32 black diamond. 1/8 clicks, but on a 15 MOA base, so should de well with the anticated 250-300" drop at 1000. Not sure, may be buying another scope, just not sure what. Had lots of folks suggest the SWFA 10x or 16x. Can't afford a Nightforce NXS, which would be a nice scope for this gun. Something about a fixed power feels good on this gun, but that 18" ring at 1000 yards will look pretty small I suspect. But a fixed 10 power would be great for shooting choppers down. All depends on your perspective I guess.

I'm looking at that Hornady 50 BMG kit. Can't find any details about the dies, is it like the Forster Ultra, with a self aligning bushing to help center bullet during seating? Anything else I would have to buy along with that kit?

I plan to use new brass and 750 gr Amax, or similar quality new projectiles. Where can I find this stuff, having a very hard time locating these items. Especially, where can I find new brass, and is there and brand I should look for? It almost looks like I need to buy 100 vastly overpriced loaded rounds just to get some good quality new brass. I don't want to tinker with old brass, of varying condition, with berdan primers, etc. I want new brass. Any ideas?



Dan

 

[madmixerman]

Powder Valley has bullets , primers , powder & Winchester primed brass listed in stock for the 50.
Gunstop Reloading & 3rd generation Shooters Supply show bullets in stock

 

[CatShooter]

I feel ya man. But I got nowhere to shoot past 1000. This 1000 yard range opening is the only reason I'm tinkering with this 50 BMG now. Had it about a decade and shot about 150-200 rounds, basically just broke the barrel in properly by Armalites very tedious suggestions. Hard to enjoy shooting 50 BMG at 100-200 yards, which are most ranges around here. Like driving a Ferrari in the Walmart parking lot. So, 1000 yards is all I see in my future.

The scope is a Burris 8-32 black diamond. 1/8 clicks, but on a 15 MOA base, so should de well with the anticated 250-300" drop at 1000. Not sure, may be buying another scope, just not sure what. Had lots of folks suggest the SWFA 10x or 16x. Can't afford a Nightforce NXS, which would be a nice scope for this gun. Something about a fixed power feels good on this gun, but that 18" ring at 1000 yards will look pretty small I suspect. But a fixed 10 power would be great for shooting choppers down. All depends on your perspective I guess.

I'm looking at that Hornady 50 BMG kit. Can't find any details about the dies, is it like the Forster Ultra, with a self aligning bushing to help center bullet during seating? Anything else I would have to buy along with that kit?

I plan to use new brass and 750 gr Amax, or similar quality new projectiles. Where can I find this stuff, having a very hard time locating these items. Especially, where can I find new brass, and is there and brand I should look for? It almost looks like I need to buy 100 vastly overpriced loaded rounds just to get some good quality new brass. I don't want to tinker with old brass, of varying condition, with berdan primers, etc. I want new brass. Any ideas?



Dan

When you reeeeealy want to shoot past 1,000 yards, you will find a way

"Hunny, we're going on vacation in Utah"
"Why"
Cuz they have this place where there is nothing for 8 miles in all directions"
"So why are we going there?"
So I can shoot my big gun."
"I want a divorce!"
"Ok, just leave the loading stuff!"

See?? It IS easy!

You want Lake City Brass (accept no substitutes)... buy fired cases, clean them and load them - there are no finer cases made.

The Hornady seater has a floating sleeve like the Redding and Forster.

The 750 A-Max IS the accuracy bullet. But the GI pulled pyrotechnicals are more fun than a basket of puppies, so don't over look them.

To find 50-BMG goodies, join up with the 50 cal groups and forums - don't roll in with a truck load of dumb questions when you get there, use the search engine and READ everything you can.

Then ask not-so-dumb questions, and you will get good information - easy peasy.

 

[Danattherock]

Thanks man. Helps a lot. With used lake city. Any particular things to look for, head stamp, dates, primer types? Any online retailer you might suggest? What prep would they require over buying new Hornady cases. Which are $5/each

Also, I joined FSCA when I got my gun. Didn't even have scope, mounts, ammo, nothing. Paid $40 to join and access their forum and got very little help. Dropped membership after that. I was starting from zero and did ask a lot of beginner questions. Maybe they didn't think they were worth answering.

Anyway, thank god for you

Finally, after a VERY long wait I'm going to start having some fun with this gun.


Dan

 

[CatShooter]

Thanks man. Helps a lot. With used lake city. Any particular things to look for, head stamp, dates, primer types? Any online retailer you might suggest? What prep would they require over buying new Hornady cases. Which are $5/each

Also, I joined FSCA when I got my gun. Didn't even have scope, mounts, ammo, nothing. Paid $40 to join and access their forum and got very little help. Dropped membership after that. I was starting from zero and did ask a lot of beginner questions. Maybe they didn't think they were worth answering.

Anyway, thank god for you

Finally, after a VERY long wait I'm going to start having some fun with this gun.


Dan

Nope - all LC is boxer primed and the year is not important.

For dealers, Google for them - their are a bunch. Brass is hard to come by these days, so keep looking. PM me if you have a lot of trouble.


There is also a forum...

http://www.biggerhammer.net/

... which might be good - I have not been there in a long time, but try reading it - they have a search engine too.

 

[Danattherock]

This is the brass I got now. About 200 unfired cases. Is it worth reloading or should I buy new brass.

Looking at this website, looks like mine was made in Des Moines, Iowa in 1945. Looks identical to the two DM45 head stamp pics at bottom of the Des Moines bit.

Scroll down to Des Moines Ordnance Plant. Bottom two images are mine.

http://www.nebraskaaircrash.com/50caliber.html


Dan

 

[CatShooter]

This is the brass I got now. About 200 unfired cases. Is it worth reloading or should I buy new brass.

Looking at this website, looks like mine was made in Des Moines, Iowa in 1945. Looks identical to the two DM45 head stamp pics at bottom of the Des Moines bit.

Scroll down to Des Moines Ordnance Plant. Bottom two images are mine.

http://www.nebraskaaircrash.com/50caliber.html


Dan

Yup...

It is good.