50 BMG press

[rockns]

I need a little help from somebody that loads for a 50, I have a large older midway press that I think may work but could use some measurements like ram travel and opening between shell holder and die theads

 

[Certaindeaf]

I think you need a special, large threaded hole in the press to accept the dies. And of course enough leverage, strength and opening/capacity.

 

[rg1]

The RCBS 50 BMG press has about 6 1/2" from the shellholder shelf that the case sits on to the bottom of the threads that the die screws into. This press has a large opening. The shortest opening in a 50 BMG press is in the Lee 50 BMG press. With it I hear that when seating bullets you have to place the bullet up into the seating die before having room to seat the bullet. The RCBS Ammomaster 50 press has a ram stroke of 6 3/4" while the Lee 50 press only has 4" of ram stroke. Like mentioned, you'll need to know the thread size of the press and hope they make 50 BMG dies with the same thread?

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

You do have to put the cartridge in at an angle with the Lee press, but I absolutly love mine. But what they were saying is true. The 50 bmg dies are way larger than a standard die. The 4" of ram stroke is plenty for it. I have reloaded many,many rounds with mine. It works like a charm.

 

[kingmt]

Is the Lee BL presses the right size for the dies with the bushing removed?

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Yep. The black bushing is for standard and without is for 416, and 50 bmg.

 

[rockns]

OK measured and 4 1/2" from top of ram to the bottom threads.
and 4" stroke takes a standard die though.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
It needs to accept the die you want to use.

 

[rockns]

I have a friend I think that can make that happen but I have been looking and the Lee's aren't that high, so may just get one instead of modifying this one

 

[bob barker]

Curious, how many times can you reload the brass?

 

[50 Shooter]

Some guys have got as many as 20 reloads on their brass, this was using mild loads. Using once fired surplus is a toss up, you might get 2 or you might get 10. M2's are hard on brass and even harder if they weren't head spaced correctly. It also helps if you anneal your brass after 3-5 reloads and just neck size if you're using a bolt gun.

 

[50 Shooter]

Another thing about surplus is that a lot of the newer LC brass is pure crap, seem like they're making it for one time use. Some of the early to mid 80's LC brass is junk also, stay away from early Israeli brass with the Hebrew head stamp and Dominican Republic stuff.

 

[Win1892]

I use 70s LC and anneal after 4 loads. Get about 15 loads before neck splits.

Armalite AR50. RCBS Ammomaster and dies. Full length resizing. Mild loads.