PLEASE GIVE GUIDANCE MEN. Picking a press,

[or if required PRESSES] for loading a .499"

diam., {yes} bullet near 600 grns into 3.5 "

brass, and 450-400 3&1/4", and 500 S&W re-

volver ammo and maybe in a few mon's huble458's

12 GFH and 700HE and, WHAT THE HECK - 4 BORE

from Vulcan cases [20 MM I believe] & .375

H&H and 600 NE.

LEE has a press big enough for 50 BMG as

does RBCS - Ammomaster I and II. Is there

a distinct quality diff. between these and

the other known reloading equip. comp's?

Which digital scale for powder, which trickler,

electric case trimmer, de-burring and primer

pocket cleaner, {RCBS has a nice elec. unit

that does inside and outside primer pockets

and mouth de-burring}, which digital dial

caliper, and so on... Thank you.

Take a look at Redding's UltraMag press and see if it meets your needs. The RCBS ChargeMaster Combo is the popular means for powder dispensing. The inexpensive, Chinese digital calipers are all about the same. Harbor Freight has it on sale currently.

for 4.25" oal, an rcbs supreme .. .. a bit more than $100 bucks

for bigger, an ammomaster .. quite a bit more than $100 bucks

The only "big" press I have tried has been the Ammomaster. Pretty happy with it so far as the window opening is huge and it is easy to load the big stuff I currently own such as 375 Wby, 9,3x74r, and my ex Lott.
One complaint is how the primers kick out. Sometimes they miss the catch tray and go on the floor, sometimes they stay in the ram and then cause the ram to stick because the spent primer jams it up. Easy to fix but still a nuisance.

I bought an RCBS AmmoMaster to load my .45-3 1/4 BP rifle when I had it. I still use the AmmoMaster & it works great IMHO.
Bear in Fairbanks

I have both a Redding Ultramag and a RCBS AmmoMaster. The Ammomaster currently resides in a box and the Ultramag is bolted to my Bench.

I've used the Ultramag for up to 505 Gibbs but I doubt either would work for 20mm Bofers. You need a specific Ammomaster for the 50 BMG.........................DJ

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
The only "big" press I have tried has been the Ammomaster. Pretty happy with it so far as the window opening is huge and it is easy to load the big stuff I currently own such as 375 Wby, 9,3x74r, and my ex Lott.
One complaint is how the primers kick out. Sometimes they miss the catch tray and go on the floor, sometimes they stay in the ram and then cause the ram to stick because the spent primer jams it up. Easy to fix but still a nuisance.

Me tto. Bought one to replace mu Jr. when I started loading 45-120 & the 404j. Works for me.

Thank you men.

Take a look at Ponsness & Warren 50 BMG press:

P/W 50BMG Press

Andy

Needed one in a hurry so I bought a Lee Classic Cast press for my 600Nitro. Seems to work ok.
Merry Christmas, Chris

Another vote for the Redding Ultramag and RCBS Chargemaster.

quote:

LEE has a press big enough for 50 BMG as does RBCS - Ammomaster I and II. Is there a distinct quality diff. between these and the other known reloading equip. comp's?

Both will do the job. The Lee Classic Cast is a LOT less costly, has several much better user features and IT isn't cast in China! Cost aside, I believe the C.C. is the superiour press.

I fear you are SOL on tools for the .700, 12GFH and 20mm stuff from any of our common makers anyway!

I fear you are SOL for the 12GFH, 20 mm, etc.!

Why would you want the quirkyness of a digital scale instead of a reliable beam from Redding? Add a Redding BR3 powder measure and trickler to finish it all out.

But, if you might ever want to reform .50BMG to .30-06, there's no question about it, get Redding's Ultramag press!

Calipers? Get a 6" stainless version, dial or digital. ALL of the reloadng company labeled calipers are made in the same Chinese shop as the ones from Harbor Freight tools, and they are all equal in everything but cost, HF is MUCH less expensive, usually on sale for as little as $14. Or, you could get a Starrett or Brown & Sharpe for 10-12 times that but they really won't add anything to your work.

I don't know of any maker who has a pilot for .50 caliber but the Lyman Universal trimmer will hold the cases for you. They likely do have the large pilot available but it won't come with the basic kit. Unless you plan to trim hundereds of cases in each session adding electric powder won't buy you much help, IMHO.

Again guys, I appreciate all your contributions.

Lee makes a trimmer for the .50 BMG
http://www.leeprecision.com/cg...catalog/casecon.html