Reloading the 50 BMG?

idahoelkinstructor · 05-28-2006, 08:54 AM

Does anyone have one and if so do you reload for it. I am wondering how much does it cost each time you pull the trigger with reloads? I know that Cabelas sells 20 bullets for $30. Not sure if that is cheap or not. Also how much powder does the huge case take for a average load? In the furture after gun smithing schoolI want to buildone as just a fun plinker![8D]

gandilamont · 05-28-2006, 10:14 AM

From what I have heard it is cheaper to buy factory rounds. My freind is looking into getting one for long range shooting. I hope he does, that sure would be fun.

#40Fan · 05-28-2006, 04:28 PM

You can get demilled military rounds for $140-$270 for a100 to 150 rounds, depending on the type of bullet, shipping included.

The cheapest .50 cal bullets that I have found that weren't military pulls are $24 for 20.

You will be able to load about 30-35 rounds with a pound of powder.

Cheapest primers are about $0.20 a piece.

So, cheapest you might get a loaded round for is around $1.40 a shot.

To load a round, $1.20 for the bullet, $0.20 for the primer, $0.63 for powder, and if you don't already have a case you can add that cost on top of it. Total of $2.03 before case. Then you can add the cost of a press on top of this as well. Lee Classic Press for the .50 is very nice and comes with everthing that you need for $150.

What I did was buy the press before the gun while I had some extra bucks. I knew that I could use the press for my smaller rounds while waiting for my .50 to come in. I also bought a 100 round ammo can of tracer rounds for $180 (found them cheaper the next week). I will now reload the spent cases saving some money.

Reloading the .50 isn't cheap, but when looking for accuracy, it is the only way to go. Just to plink, buy the cheap military ammo.

Ridge Runner · 05-28-2006, 09:11 PM

use wc 872 powder and it'll cost 0.16 per round for powder, an RCBS rockchucker press will work if you screw the big threaded insert out of the center of it.
RR

#40Fan · 05-29-2006, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the tip.

While doing some searching, I found this place. Cheap, already sized bullets, as well as powder. Going to place an order tomorrow.

http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm

#40Fan · 05-30-2006, 08:39 PM

After placing the order, it is still $0.20 for the primer, but only $0.12 for the bullet, and $0.17 for the powder. Down to $0.49 for a loaded cartridge before brass and press. Can't beat that.

Thanks again, Ridge Runner, for mentioning the WC-872 powder. I would have never found that site without it.

Ridge Runner · 05-31-2006, 06:49 AM

anytime #40, its good for anything bigger than 7 mag with heavy for caliber bullets, it gets pretty tempature sensative with lightweight stuff. the STW's and Rums, and a whole bunch of wildcat big jug cartridges love it, its really easy on barrels and you wouldn't believe the ES's, specialy in cold weather
RR