.50 BMG reloading costs?

The IMR 5051 powder is is a sealed fibre drum. 20 kilos. I have several similar drums of other powders, including an open 5051 drum we were using. No sign of problems.

I have had power go bad, but it was 50 years old. This powder was purchased fresh at the factory. Because it is still sealed, I am reluctant to open it, but I could do so, if a buyer wanted me to smell it before delivery.
 
Ganderite said:
The IMR 5051 powder is is a sealed fibre drum. 20 kilos. I have several similar drums of other powders, including an open 5051 drum we were using. No sign of problems.

I have had power go bad, but it was 50 years old. This powder was purchased fresh at the factory. Because it is still sealed, I am reluctant to open it, but I could do so, if a buyer wanted me to smell it before delivery.
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Glad to hear that , nothing chokes me more than powder that has gone bad:mad:
I would NOT open it unless you get an interested buyer.
In your collection of powders any chance you have some 872?
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Keep in mind that 50 brass does not last like smaller caliber casings do, to get 5 reloading from 50 cal brass is doing well.
The looser the chamber the less brass life is.
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Rick - don't intend to disagree with you, as your experience is vastly greater than mine, but sure hate to see somebody discouraged from getting into 50s, so a couple points.

Its now very common practice for the match-shooters to anneal every reload....and brass life has reportedly increased, though, in my opinion only, five is an uncommonly short life, even without annealing, depending, of course, on the brass quality and rifle chamber, as you pointed out.

I have a batch of PSD which is currently on its 13th reload, only being annealed twice for the first ten reloads. (Now I anneal every time as well)...finally cracked a few necks.
Also have some LC 90 & 92 which has never had a problem, however, these have been annealed every load......this all in a production, not match, chamber.

Anyway, only my 2 cents worth.....
 
Is there any experience with shooting cast with a 50 cal gas check, or pure linotype or pure wheel weights? Should keep cost down for just plinking, then Amax for serious fun.
 
bbartsch said:
So Rick, this 20mm you were firing. Something you built? If not, what make? Curiousity is killing me.
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20mm Lahti

lahti-1.jpg
 
Dmay said:
Rick - don't intend to disagree with you, as your experience is vastly greater than mine, but sure hate to see somebody discouraged from getting into 50s, so a couple points.

Its now very common practice for the match-shooters to anneal every reload....and brass life has reportedly increased, though, in my opinion only, five is an uncommonly short life, even without annealing, depending, of course, on the brass quality and rifle chamber, as you pointed out.

I have a batch of PSD which is currently on its 13th reload, only being annealed twice for the first ten reloads. (Now I anneal every time as well)...finally cracked a few necks.
Also have some LC 90 & 92 which has never had a problem, however, these have been annealed every load......this all in a production, not match, chamber.

Anyway, only my 2 cents worth.....
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Daryl I am basing my view on what I am getting from guys buying brass and ammo.
I agree that with care and less than smokin hot loads 1 can get FAR better mileage from 1s brass.
You know as well as I do that hot MG loads will stretch the brass like hell and shorten its life span.
For those of us who choose accuracy over big boom factor, we get pretty good brass life.
What I have found is that with starting with virgin brass that has not been through a MG with a loose chamber, that brass life, is like you are finding. Annealing every other firing also prolongs the use of the brass.
So all in all I think we are both on the same page here.:D
 
Size perspective :eek:

Pulled this off the web. Hey Rick any chance you'll have this thing around this summer when I come by for a visit? I'd pay to shoot that fer sure!

Ante

lahti.jpg
 
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