50 BMG reloading

N454casull

Any recommendations on where to get 50 components? All the local stores don’t carry much for it. 

Zee

What components are you looking for?

I don’t load for it but, I’m gonna try to shoot a deer with one tomorrow. 😎

N454casull

Really just need bullets. I can find lots of the Expensive stuff but would like to find some “cheap” ones for busting rocks. 

And then really anything brass and powder as well. All the local stores just don’t carry any of it. I’ve searched and found a few places online but am just wondering if anyone has had any experience good or bad with a place in particular. 

Someday I’d like to shot a deer or hog with it just because. 

Jay

No experience loading it. I’ve shot it some. For busting rocks, while surplus ammo isn’t cheap, seems like you’d have to load and shoot a lot of ammo to break even on the equipment it takes to load it. Palmetto had a sale on 50 ammo not long ago that didn’t seem horrible. 

Jay

Just the powder bill on that one would scare me.. 😮

N454casull

Jay said:

Just the powder bill on that one would scare me.. 😮

It’s all scary lol even primers. 

Ernie Bishop

Can't help on where to find components.

Which one do you have?

N454casull

Bushmaster BA50

tennmike

That's one of the harder one to find components for reloading.8# jugs of powder are necessary due to the  HUGE powder charge. Bullets are hard to find now, and primers are being gouge priced at astronomical prices. None of my usual sources has had anything for over a year now. I stocked up a long time ago so I have brass, primers, bullets, and powder. Hard to find anything at all for most reloading, and .50 BMG is really hard. Primers for $200 per hundred is outrageous.

Gene L

Many presses won't fit a 50 die.  Lee's large single stage press (Cast Classic)  will work if you remove the inside bushing.

bullsi1911

Oddly enough, those are the only primers my local cabelas has in stock. That same box of CCI 50BMG primers, sitting on the shelf, in a security enclosure... all alone

tennmike

Gene L said:

Many presses won't fit a 50 die.  Lee's large single stage press (Cast Classic)  will work if you remove the inside bushing.

My press is an RCBS press built specifically for the .50 BMG. It's cast iron construction O-Frame. I wouldn't trust a C-Frame at all; too much spring in the frame. My Corbin Bullet Making press will also do .50 BMG and is actually easier to use. Lots more leverage with that press.

N454casull

I had the opportunity to pick up the Lee press made specifically for the 50 from a friend for a good deal and that’s what ended up getting me started down this road. 

tennmike

N454casull said:

I had the opportunity to pick up the Lee press made specifically for the 50 from a friend for a good deal and that’s what ended up getting me started down this road. 

Best single piece of advice I can give you is to LUBE THE CASES when sizing. Or invest in an 8# hammer to remove stuck cases from the sizing die. Another one that will eat your shorts if you fail to do it; remove that crimp in the primer pocket. They have some serious crimp on some cases. Loading 50BMG is fun, just a bit different. And the 750 grain A-Max is definitely the sex without the mess. 

N454casull

I’ve read to many times to count about the case lube recommendation. I’m starting to get the idea it’s not just opinion or a joke lol. I also read a ton, not to use the lee lube that comes with it. The press I got still has a full tube so I guess he didn’t use any. 

I’ve never had to remove a primer crimp and tips on that? 

jaywapti

When I loaded for the 50 in the 90s the only place's I was able to get all the component's was from one of my distributor's, and not all distributor's carried 50 stuff as it was not as much in demand as it is now.

JAY

Uncle Fester

tennmike said:

Gene L said:

Many presses won't fit a 50 die.  Lee's large single stage press (Cast Classic)  will work if you remove the inside bushing.

My press is an RCBS press built specifically for the .50 BMG. It's cast iron construction O-Frame. I wouldn't trust a C-Frame at all; too much spring in the frame. My Corbin Bullet Making press will also do .50 BMG and is actually easier to use. Lots more leverage with that press.

Curious:  if you used 1 pound jugs, how many shots per jugs would you legitimately get?

jaywapti

At 246 grs per case you will get 28.4 loads

JAY

Gene L

Wow!  Expensive reloading!

Uncle Fester

jaywapti said:

At 246 grs per case you will get 28.4 loads

JAY

Do you use a car funnel to add powder? ;-)

tennmike

Uncle Fester said:

tennmike said:

Gene L said:

Many presses won't fit a 50 die.  Lee's large single stage press (Cast Classic)  will work if you remove the inside bushing.

My press is an RCBS press built specifically for the .50 BMG. It's cast iron construction O-Frame. I wouldn't trust a C-Frame at all; too much spring in the frame. My Corbin Bullet Making press will also do .50 BMG and is actually easier to use. Lots more leverage with that press.

Curious:  if you used 1 pound jugs, how many shots per jugs would you legitimately get?

7,000 grains per pound divided by 235 grains per powder charge(MY preferred charge) = 29.78 powder charges per pound. Buying pound jugs is just silly as to loading for  .50BMG. 

gunner81

Uncle Fester said:

jaywapti said:

At 246 grs per case you will get 28.4 loads

JAY

Do you use a car funnel to add powder? ;-)

A tri axle and a conveyor belt