Cost Of 50 BMG Reloading

[Mk-211]

Even though it is a big press I don't think it could full length resize a 50 BMG. The linkage is a simple toggle linkage not a compound linkage found on modern presses. Fred Hunington of RCBS fame held the patent on the compound linkage and it was valid to the late 60's. Loading rifle cases on older simple toggle linkage presses pretty much sucked. However they worked well on straight wall handgun cartridges. The Coax press was actually a work around of the Hunington patent.

It's a double linkage press, it's just the picture.



Those holes in the turret are for 1-1/2" 50 BMG dies. They also sold thread reducers for smaller dies.

Here's a different Hollywood press that has both large and small diameter holes.



This one uses a single linkage and I wouldn't consider it for 50 BMG.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I've bought surplus for about $1ea when I purchased my first 50, some was API (armor piercing incendiary) that I don't shoot often, most was 660gr hp. About 8 or 10yrs ago I found some for $1.80, 10 box limit, currently the best I've found is $3. I looked into reloading them, I've saved the brass, found a hundred bullets on clearance for hardly anything, found 500 primers at the same location and talked them down to $20, I think my RCBS pres will handle the bigger dies but I've never gone any further with it. I probably shoot them every 3 or 4 years and usually less than 10 rounds a trip so I feel I have a lifetime supply and couldn't recover the setup even if I had to buy new ammo at $5 or $6ea.