Rhino_66
07-31-2007, 11:01 PM
I have to laugh every time I look at these! The bullets themselves are longer than a complete 7.62x39 cartridge.:evilgrin:
http://www.guns-and-ammunition.com/photoplog/images/25/large/1_50_dies.jpg
Lee dies, Lake City Brass, U.S. surplus M33 ball, and a U.S. Quarter for size comparison
I got my reloading press today. The press I ordered was the Lee Classic Cast with the 50BMG dies. I won't be using the 50BMG kit for a LONG time... I just wanted to get it while it was on sale. I'm going to be starting with .45ACP, then 5.56, .303, 7.62x51, 8mm, and eventually the 50. I'm saving up to purchase a Serbu rifle, so it'll be next year before I start doing 50 loads.
With the looming September 1 increase in ammo prices, it's finally going to be cost effective to reload for the amount of ammo that I use.
I know I could have (probably should have) gone with a different press, something with a turret to make life a little easier for all those pistol cartridges I plan on loading. But the press I ordered will handle the 50 without blinking. I should get a helluva workout cranking that press lever...
I'm going to order .45 dies, powder, primers, cases, and bullets and get started over the next couple of weeks. I'll start with the rifle calibers when cooler weather starts to set in. I still have a few other pieces of equipment to buy, but I'm almost set.
So far, the things that suck about the 50:
1. Can only get about 25 cases into the tumbler at one time. I have 200 cases, so 200cases/25per run @ 3 hours per run = 24 hours of straight tumbling.
2. Bullets are heavy enough to tear up the vibratory tumbler (have to use a rotary drum rock-polisher tumbler instead)
3. Pulled bullets need to be sized, so I have to purchase another die.
4. Military primer crimp is a PITA to undo. My depriming tools are a 6" x 1/2" bolt drilled for a piece of music wire and a BMFH. Then I have to chamfer the edge to get rid of the crimp. I think I'm going to mill a tool for doing a consistent chamfer depth. Successive deprimings will be easier and won't hurt the die.
5. Military cases have sealant in the neck that isn't removed by polishing (or so I was told). A 1/2" plumbing solder brush chucked in a cordless drill makes quick work of cleaning the case necks.
6. The guys I know who reload laughed when I asked how long a can of powder lasts when loading the 50. At 210gr ~ 233gr per round, it goes pretty quick.:icon_confused:
I'm going to be working with some guys who have been reloading for a LONG time, so the learning curve should be pretty reasonable. I also got some decent guide and load books, so reference material isn't an issue.
This should be an interesting fall and winter.
.
http://www.guns-and-ammunition.com/photoplog/images/25/large/1_50_dies.jpg
Lee dies, Lake City Brass, U.S. surplus M33 ball, and a U.S. Quarter for size comparison
I got my reloading press today. The press I ordered was the Lee Classic Cast with the 50BMG dies. I won't be using the 50BMG kit for a LONG time... I just wanted to get it while it was on sale. I'm going to be starting with .45ACP, then 5.56, .303, 7.62x51, 8mm, and eventually the 50. I'm saving up to purchase a Serbu rifle, so it'll be next year before I start doing 50 loads.
With the looming September 1 increase in ammo prices, it's finally going to be cost effective to reload for the amount of ammo that I use.
I know I could have (probably should have) gone with a different press, something with a turret to make life a little easier for all those pistol cartridges I plan on loading. But the press I ordered will handle the 50 without blinking. I should get a helluva workout cranking that press lever...
I'm going to order .45 dies, powder, primers, cases, and bullets and get started over the next couple of weeks. I'll start with the rifle calibers when cooler weather starts to set in. I still have a few other pieces of equipment to buy, but I'm almost set.
So far, the things that suck about the 50:
1. Can only get about 25 cases into the tumbler at one time. I have 200 cases, so 200cases/25per run @ 3 hours per run = 24 hours of straight tumbling.
2. Bullets are heavy enough to tear up the vibratory tumbler (have to use a rotary drum rock-polisher tumbler instead)
3. Pulled bullets need to be sized, so I have to purchase another die.
4. Military primer crimp is a PITA to undo. My depriming tools are a 6" x 1/2" bolt drilled for a piece of music wire and a BMFH. Then I have to chamfer the edge to get rid of the crimp. I think I'm going to mill a tool for doing a consistent chamfer depth. Successive deprimings will be easier and won't hurt the die.
5. Military cases have sealant in the neck that isn't removed by polishing (or so I was told). A 1/2" plumbing solder brush chucked in a cordless drill makes quick work of cleaning the case necks.
6. The guys I know who reload laughed when I asked how long a can of powder lasts when loading the 50. At 210gr ~ 233gr per round, it goes pretty quick.:icon_confused:
I'm going to be working with some guys who have been reloading for a LONG time, so the learning curve should be pretty reasonable. I also got some decent guide and load books, so reference material isn't an issue.
This should be an interesting fall and winter.
.