Annealing 50 BMG brass

[oceanwest]

I've decided to get back into reloading with the silly new laws, and possibly into 50 DTC while I'm at it. I have a bunch of loaded 50 BMG rounds that I got really cheap and I am thinking of converting them to 50 DTC EDM. Looking at the process the only hang up I can see to this plan is if annealing the brass before fire forming is a good idea. Anyone know if that is a needed step?

[mrkubota]

if the brass is new or once fired, probably not.
inspect the interior when pulled down and check for any separation if once fired.
Otherwise, yes, annealing will make for a better fireform and longer case life.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you are planning on breaking down the rounds and reforming them the cases to DTC, I don't see a reason to anneal. The brass was already annealed and hasn't been fired yet. As far as annealing after sizing and before fireforming, I wouldn't sweat it unless you're anal. Personally, I don't anneal my 50BMG brass and can get 15-20 loadings from it. One of the top, if not the top 50 shooter once told me that he fires his match brass 8 times, anneals and fires it 8 more times before he retires it. Of course, you will need a way to trim the 50BMG brass down first. If you are planning on using something with a collet, you'll need a separate collet for .510DTC.

[oceanwest]

Thank you gentlemen, that's just the info I was looking for. They are once fired re-loaded rounds. So I'm thinking I can pull the bullets, trim to 3.78", full length resize in DTC dies, then reload with about 90% of the charge they came with and shoot to fire form them.

I was thinking of using the Wilson 50 Cal case trimmer with a cordless drill attachment. I guess I would need both the 50 BMG and there after the 50 DTC case holders. Is there a better setup than this that can also trim regular cases?

[CSACANNONEER]

The Wilson holds the case head so, it would do both BMG and DTC without issues. I was talking about collet type trimmers like Trim-It, Gracy, Giraud, etc. You can trim how you want to but, I prefer 3 way cutters so that I don't have to chamfer and debur in separate steps. It's going to depend on what style of trimmer you want. Do you want it to trim using the case head as the datum point? The shoulder as the datum point or the inside of the case head as the datum point? If you want a trimmer on a budget, try a Trim-It with a 3 way cutter (uses the shoulder as the datum point) or, if you want to use the inside of the case head as the datum point, try a K&M trimmer. I'd have to pull mine out but, I think it could be adjusted (very simply) to trim DTC rounds with any modifications. Trimming the 0.100" of of BMG brass is going to take a while with any trimmer. I strongly recommend using a Giraud if you can.

That said, I have very limited personal experience with DTCs but, I have a several friends who load and shoot them and have helped people process their brass and load them for the first time. Mrkubota probably has more experience with manufacturing and loading DTC for comercial sales than anyone, anywhere in the world, with the possible exception of one other person, Jerry (I'm guessing that they have very similar experience with DTC), who has retired from the commercial reloading business. So, listen to Mrkubota before listening to me or anyone else.

[mrkubota]

Thank you gentlemen, that's just the info I was looking for. They are once fired re-loaded rounds. So I'm thinking I can pull the bullets, trim to 3.78", full length resize in DTC dies, then reload with about 90% of the charge they came with and shoot to fire form them.

I was thinking of using the Wilson 50 Cal case trimmer with a cordless drill attachment. I guess I would need both the 50 BMG and there after the 50 DTC case holders. Is there a better setup than this that can also trim regular cases?

I first used a Forster 50BMG trimmer with a drill motor adapter.
It's held in place by the case head, so no other collet or case holder needed. Just a .510 bushing that guides the neck to the cutter head.
Downside it that you'll also have to chamfer and deburr in separate steps.
I also used the Gracey electric trimmer, but at the time it only did BMG. I also updated the motor and cutter blade with parts from Giraud to chamfer/debur at the same time.
Ultimately, I sold the Gracey and now use two of the Giraud electric trimmers. One set up for BMG and the other for DTC.
I also use Giraud's auto annealing machine.
If you need a DTC die set, I've got a batch of custom dies in from Lee for the DTC-EDM chamber. (160.00 shipped) They are 1.25"dia dies. CH4D offers an adapter bushing that will allow it to fit the larger 1.5"dia presses. PTB10 1-1/2 -12 x 1-1/4-12 $22.22
If you need prepped DTC brass ready to fire-form, I can offer that service at 1.00ea unprimed or 1.30ea primed plus shipping.
Other useful accessories are:
6" caliper
scale capable of weighing at least 250gr
Large powder measure capable of throwing at least 250gr charges.
RCBS chamfer/deburr tool for removing any primer pocket crimps/stakes
Dillon sells a primer pocket swaging tool and K&M sells a primer pocket uniformer that can be usefull too.
The RCBS Ammomaster or Hornady 50BMG presses come with a ram priming stem, but I prefer to use a dedicated Lee Classic Cast press for that task. The Dillon swaging tool can also be set up as a priming tool.
LED flashlight is usefull for checking the interior of a case for stretching/separations.
For bulk cleaning, I use a homebrew wet cleaning solution in a mortar mixer, followed by tumbling in corncob in another cement mixer.
For case lube, I've found Hornady Unique to be inexpensive and very effective.
Hornady's BMG sizer seems to be the best at sizing brass back down to minimum spec before conversion to DTC.

//Ben
06FFL - Custom Ammunition

[CSACANNONEER]

If you need a DTC die set, I've got a batch of custom dies in from Lee for the DTC-EDM chamber. (160.00 shipped) They are 1.25"dia dies. CH4D offers an adapter bushing that will allow it to fit the larger 1.5"dia presses.

//Ben
06FFL - Custom Ammunition

GREAT! I didn't know that anyone had any Lee DTC dies currently available.

[LynnJr]

I didn't know that either!!!!

[oceanwest]

Thanks Ben, that's great info!

I will PM you about getting some prepped DTC brass, it would be nice to have some examples of it done right on hand.

[Kingair001]

CH4D offers an adapter bushing that will allow it to fit the larger 1.5"dia presses.

I called a while ago for an adapter

Non in stock at CH4D . . .

[mrkubota]

I called a while ago for an adapter

Non in stock at CH4D . . .

That's good to know...
I emailed them about ordering some and hopefully they'll let me know what the timeline is on making more.
Corbin makes them too, but they want alot more money for their version.

[mrkubota]

Just got a call from CH4D.... they're sending me the 4 I ordered, so it would appear they've made more.
They call it a Press Top Bushing:
PTB10 1-1/2 -12 x 1-1/4-12 $22.22

//Ben

[Kingair001]

Just got a call from CH4D.... they're sending me the 4 I ordered, so it would appear they've made more.
They call it a Press Top Bushing:
PTB10 1-1/2 -12 x 1-1/4-12 $22.22

//Ben

Nice !

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[mrkubota]

CH4D 1.5" to 1.25" press top bushing adapter:

[Jedediah Munroe]