50 BMG on RCBS Big Max

[papawman]

Thanks for all the input on the progressive presses
ALSO
I have a new Bolt Action 50 BMG
rcbs has dies for 50 bmg to fit the
big max which i also have
load my 50-140 sharps on it
anyone loading BMG 50 on this
setup - or am i going to
buy another toy

 

[50 Shooter]

The size of the dies are different, RCBS dies are larger and won't fit the Lee press. Lee makes a press for reloading .50 BMG but it still uses smaller dies then the industry standard. This makes for a press that will cost you less but your stuck with what they give you.

 

[papawman]

for clairification
I have the RCBS BIG MAX
i do not have any 50bmg dies
RCBS list 50bmg dies for this press
does this work and
has anyone used the big max
w/rcbs 50bmg dies to load this cartridge

 

[50 Shooter]

Ooops, I thought your question was about RCBS dies in a Lee press.

Have you tried asking RCBS if that press has a long enough throw to handle a .50 round after it's been loaded. I know they make their own press for loading .50 BMG.

 

[papawman]

RCBS says the did make the dies and conversion
parts to do this at one time
most of which are still avaiable
BUT! all that cost more than the
50BMG ammomaster setup
WELL !!
time for some more toys
any tips on brass -
bullets - etc to
get me started
i just want some reasonably accurate
shooter rounds to start with

 

[Afy]

If RCBS says it will work.. then it will.

Please post pics... when you do start. Lucky guy..

 

[50 Shooter]

Right now just so happens to be a bad time to start as everyone is hording components. If you want semi cheap brass solids (less then $1 each) I can get you those, they're designed after the M33 ball round. They're ran off a CNC screw machine, will have to check with friend to get more specs on them. You can check with Pat's Reloading to see what they have in stock. Also check with Poly Gun Bag to see what they have left. The AP projo's are considered the better buy as they're more accurate then the standard surplus ball. Most of the match projo's are nearing or have past the $2 each mark.

Brass is next to non existant unless you get on ebay and pay the insane prices there. I guess people seem to think it's gold and not brass. New Winchester primed brass can be bought from The Hunting Shack (HSM) or Thunderbird Ammunition (TCCI) for $1.50 ea.

You can shop around for CCI #35 primers, they run about the same price everywhere. Try Wideners, Midway, Boses, Graf & Son's, Lock,Stock & Barrel, Bruno's, MidSouth Shooters Supply....

If you want a press that won't break the bank, Lee makes one for loading .50 BMG. Shop around, I think you can find one for about $150 and it comes complete. Lastly, join the Fifty Calibers Shooters Association www.fcsa.org and get on the members forum. You'll find the guys there more then willing to help you out. Plus the magazine Very High Power (VHP) is worth the dues alone.

 

[50 Shooter]

Here's some brass, bet it won't last long.

http://www.m2hb.net/m2phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1173

 

[papawman]

THANKS FOR THE INFO
there is a lot of pulled pullets out there
are these worth shooting w/resizing etc
as i stated before i am just starting this
so i need lots of information
seems military brass is whats there now
an my reading seems to favor lcc
after this other than new cases what should
i look for in fired mill surplus
im going with the rcbs press setup
the ammomaster with nthe dies
all - most of my other stuff is rcbs and
its always been good - i guess i just have
to pay the prices to get the brass and ammo
etc - i knew it was not a inexpensive toy
when i got into this - might even
get one of thost barrettes one of these days-
just joking on that - you can get lots of toys with
15 grand

 

[50 Shooter]

If you're going to buy pulled surplus be sure to buy a resizing die, never trust someones sized bullets. You can't check a bullet by spinning a micrometer around it, you need to check it in different spots.

Some of the 80's LC (Lake City) brass isn't that great, I would anneal any of it that you pick up. Most of the WWII stuff is considered good brass, headstamp doesn't matter. Be sure that you're buying reloadable brass (boxer) and not stuff that's scrap (berdan).

Here's some loaded stuff to stay away from.
Dominican Republic "yellow tip" (actually has a yellow tip, means it's AP)
TNW's "blaster grade" (probably the worst on the market next to yellow tip)
Maine Cartridge Co. (has KABOOMED in a few rifles)

 

[papawman]

thanks just got another reply from the rifle builder
it may be a while several months etc longer
than first expected - well more time to
gather up things and information
thought i was going to have it i 3-4 months oh well
ill work on some other projects and gather the 50 components
having some time will probably save a few bucks as i can
shop the prices
just hope they are not banned befor i get mine

 

[50 Shooter]

Who's building it? Is it a regular rifle or a benchrest rifle? What kind of chamber; standard, hybrid or match?

 

[50 Shooter]

Here's a picture of my friends bullet side by side with an M33 projo.

 

[papawman]

al-rs is going to build the rifle
i was considering the spyder arms gun
at one time - i saw one
it looked ok but had a lot of tube construction in it
i wanted an extractor and ejector so that limited
the field some - take out the cartridge holders and
bullpups etc did leave much - keep the conversion assy
under 2500 the its narrow and
the al-rs gun seem to shoot well in the matches
i have a single shot lower from dpms
i build ar15s on theri lowers and uppers
so im familiar with their stuff
i will probably get the trigger and stock
from al-rs also - the will be producing a complete
lower in the "near" future might look at that
i will probably go to a match chambe as i will load
all my ammo - i have some LC 05 & 06 brass
have time to roun up all the other stuff before i get
delivery on the upper - the bullets look great
might use some of them a some point -
the comments are helpful and i would
like additional information from you and other
50 shooters and loaders - i have been shooting
and loading for all my adult life - and thats a long time
but this 50 is a whole new level
thanks

 

[50 Shooter]

Keep an eye out on the auction boards, I've seen a few ALS uppers on them but they go fast. Same with other gun boards when they're listed there in the for sale section.

The ALS has a great reputation and the owner of the company is a good guy from what I've heard. He's also a good shot as he's the one that won the hunter class with his set up.

Reloading the .50 BMG is no different from other rifle calibers, it's actually easier as everything is so big. You'll also be amazed as you watch the powder in the hopper drop every time you throw some. 200+ grains at one time is a heck of alot of powder.