Struggling with resizing .50 Beowulf cases with Lee dies

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Lennyjoe

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so I started the reloading process and am having a bear of a time resizing the cases. They are once fired Alexander Arms loaded ammo out of a KM Tactical (http://kmtactical.net/ar-15-parts/ar-15-parts/upper-parts/barrels/50-beowulf-barrel-bolt-combo.html) barrel.

I’ve cleaned the cases in corn cob media, cleaned and lubed the Lee sizer die and lubed the case but can only get about 3/4 way down before it gets too hard to move. Tried both presses and can’t get down any further. Tried both Hornady 1shot and Lee sizing lubricant to no success.

Fired cases are measuring at .5385 at any high point and the specifications are .5350. Wondering if the Lee die is the issue.

Suggestions?
 
When things get tough I always use Imperial Sizing wax. If I feel extra resistance, I stop and add more lube. Normally on the second time it will go in like butter.

If these are new dies make sure the sizer is being used. I've received dies with the wrong parts in them, mixed/crossed.
 
So what is the sized diameter of the top of the brass after it is partially resized or for that matter up and down the side wall compared to SAAMI specs before it is resized. Compare it to an unfired factory round. I do not reload for this caliber but the Lee carbide 500 S&W die used a fair amount of force to resize with lube. About like 308 or similar from the feel of it. You may have a defective die (carbide sizer in upside down or too small) or bulged brass.
 
FOR THE OP: `Pretty sure it's a die problem.

I just went down and tried my own WOOF-fired cases (AA/Hornady)
-- from both my loads/stout 500/425 cast and AA's commercial 325s.
Both pre-measure 0.539+

Using my Hornady dies & the barest minimum of RCBS case lube,*
they sized like butter. (27-year old Lyman Orange Crusher press)



* pretty much the same as Lee's case lube
 
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My lee 50 beo. dies are steel, not carbide. It takes a lot of effort to size them and a lot of lube.

I use midway pump spray lube which is simply lanolin alcohol mix like many other lubes. You DO have to lube the 50's simply because it's a big, straight,(mostly), case with a bunch of surface area. Even my 500 S&W with carbide sizer needs plenty of lube.
 
Mine measure .517 at top of case and taper to .541 at head coming out of sizer.
.525 - .541 on factory ammo.
I use rcbs case lube 2.
Not that bad resizing feel like my 7.62x54r easily done on my lct.
 
x2 on imperial sizing wax. I bought it for 50 BMG (using Lee Dies) and have found it works better than the other lubes I have, so I now use it for all cases.
 
Talked to a Lee rep and he hasn’t heard of many problems with the dies. I’ve tried several lubes to no avail. Will send a case and the die back to Lee for evaluation. Tried resizing in a Lee single stage, Lee progressive press and a Lyman older iron press to no avail.
 
Talked to a Lee rep and he hasn’t heard of many problems with the dies. I’ve tried several lubes to no avail. Will send a case and the die back to Lee for evaluation. Tried resizing in a Lee single stage, Lee progressive press and a Lyman older iron press to no avail.
I also use Imperial Sizing Wax and never have a problem with any cases. It sounds like you are doing the right thing sending the dies and fired brass to Lee. They will figure it out and make it right.
 
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