Reloading for 50 BMG

C

CanXB

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
185   0   0
Just getting set up for reloading 50 BMG. The first question I have is in regards to priming. I will be using CCI #35 primers and both Lake City and IVI brass. My 50 BMG benchtop primer from RCBS (9560) came with 2 seating anvils. One flat and one what they call oval. The oval anvil is basically concave. What anvil is used with the CCI primers as it appears the primers are curved? Most priming units for 50 bmg are used on the reloading press itself and only come with a flat seating anvil. Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Use the curved one. Even then, the primer will flatten a tiny bit.

Be sure to uniform the primer pockets (a one-time only operation) to ensure that there is no remaining crimp.

Priming the .50 does involve more force than other cartridges, but be sure to apply force gradually and expect significantly more travel until the primer seats.
 
Thanks Firearms Enthusiast! I have a 10 flute carbide cutter chamfer tool that i used to remove the crimps on all the brass so i should be good there. Up till now the biggest for me is 300 winmag. For all priming i have used the RCBS benchtop primer. Now for 50 BMG i purchased the benchtop primer and will be giving this a go.

So are the CCI #35 considered "oval" then?
 
CanXB said:
Thanks Firearms Enthusiast! I have a 10 flute carbide cutter chamfer tool that i used to remove the crimps on all the brass so i should be good there. Up till now the biggest for me is 300 winmag. For all priming i have used the RCBS benchtop primer. Now for 50 BMG i purchased the benchtop primer and will be giving this a go.

So are the CCI #35 considered "oval" then?
Click to expand...

Yep - do a few with the curved primer cup. Then enjoy shooting 200+ grains of powder per shot - I get 25-27 shots per pound!
 
I have a couple pounds of US869 for the 50.

I did read that the cci 35 need to to be "armed" and this is done by seating them with the flat anvil. Ever hear this? Seems kind of absurd to me.
 
CanXB said:
I have a couple pounds of US869 for the 50.

I did read that the cci 35 need to to be "armed" and this is done by seating them with the flat anvil. Ever hear this? Seems kind of absurd to me.
Click to expand...

We do a similar thing with standard primers when we seat them to the bottom of the pocket, and then just a tiny bit more. This assures that the
anvil of the primer is tight against the priming compound, making for consistent, reliable ignition. "Flattening" the convex #35 primer a slight amount
would accomplish the same thing. D.
 
I asked this question when I first started loading 50, one of the member told me he called CCI and they told him to use the flat primer seater, they stated that they needed to be armed and the small crush they get from the flat seater. I have used the flat and have never had a problem, and have had ignition on every one
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom