Reloading the 50 BMG?
05-28-2006, 08:54 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location:
Posts: 2,555
Reloading the 50 BMG?
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]
05-28-2006, 04:28 PM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 654
RE: Reloading the 50 BMG?
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.
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.
05-29-2006, 07:15 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 654
RE: Reloading the 50 BMG?
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
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
05-30-2006, 08:39 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 654
RE: Reloading the 50 BMG?
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.
Thanks again, Ridge Runner, for mentioning the WC-872 powder. I would have never found that site without it.
