Single stage press for reloading a .50DTC

[SoCal50Lover]

Hi Guys,

I just got my dies in. What single stage press is out there for these huge dies. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[Cowboy T]

You might look at a Lee Classic Cast Press. It's a single-stage monster that won't break the bank, and Lee actually sells it as part of their .50 BMG kit, so .50 DTC should be just fine.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I know Dillon makes one specific for 50 buts it's expensive. $ 995

I'd look at the Lee Classic will take 1 1/4 -12 threaded dies. $ 90

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme will take them too. $ 140

I'd go RCBS

[ke6guj]

AFAIK, the LEE is the only one that uses the 1.25"-12 dies, but there are adapters to go from 1.25"-12 to 1.5"-12

[Butthead]

Get the Lee .50BMG kit if you are going to form your own DTC rounds (you'll need the BMG dies to size your once fired before you convert them) otherwise you just need the press. If you go with another press you will need the adapter.

If you are looking for any preformed DTC brass I have some I could sell you. I stocked up on way to much. I have once fired, unfired pull down, and virgin. It has been fully processed (annealed also) and is ready to load.

[EBR Works]

Honestly, stay away from the Lee. It is easily broken with the pressures required to size DTC or BMG. It is also too small in height to easily seat long bullets like the AMAX. It does not use the industry standard 1.5" dies. If you bought Lee dies, get an adapter from CH4D so you can use the 1.25" Lee dies in the press. The Hornaday press is a spectacular piece of engineering and will serve you well for many years. The LNL feature is great for quick change of dies and priming tools. I have put thousands of rounds of BMG and DTC through mine and it was the best choice for the money.

[CSACANNONEER]

I was less than impressed with the Dillon press. It really depends on how much you want to spend. If you want a press that is ready to accept those LITTLE Lee dies, you're stuck wiith a Lee press. If you are wiling to use reducer bushing (available from CH4D) you can get a Ten-X, Hollywood, Dillon, CH4D, Hornady, RCBS, Corbin, Walnut Hill, etc. The Hornady and RCBS differ in color and lock-n-load but, that's it. The RCBS is probably the most used 50 press.

[EBR Works]

I was less than impressed with the Dillon press. It really depends on how much you want to spend. If you want a press that is ready to accept those LITTLE Lee dies, you're stuck wiith a Lee press. If you are wiling to use reducer bushing (available from CH4D) you can get a Ten-X, Hollywood, Dillon, CH4D, Hornady, RCBS, Corbin, Walnut Hill, etc. The Hornady and RCBS differ in color and lock-n-load but, that's it. The RCBS is probably the most used 50 press.

CSA is correct, the Dillon is not a true progressive. The Ten-X is spectacular, but very pricey ( I want one!). Once you use the LNL feature of the Hornady, you'll understand why it is preferable to the RCBS. I use the Lee FCD with the CH4D reducer in the Hornady for BMG and it works great.

[mrkubota]

Hi Guys,

I just got my dies in. What single stage press is out there for these huge dies. Any recommendations?

Thanks

If these are the custom Lee 1.25" dies, then the Lee Classic Cast press will work fine with your already fire-formed brass. As noted above, it can be problematic to full length size machine gun fired BMG brass to DTC spec.
It'll work fine for resizing *new* brass as well.

If you're mostly reloading BMG/DTC or anything smaller, the Classic Cast press is a good deal for the price.

[SoCal50Lover]

Thanks Guys, I will go with the Lee Classic.

butthead I will take some of that DTC once fired. PM me a price per piece. I'd like 50 to 100 if you have them.

[Divernhunter]

Good luck. I did some research before getting my 50bmg(the 50DTC is almost the same as you probably know) and got the Hornady over the RCBS. My buddy got the lee and it has broken 2 times in 3 years just resizing. It also takes 1.25" dies vrs 1.5" dies for everyone else. Someone posted about an adapter from 1.25" to 1.5" That must be a weird one. I have used bushings to reduce but what would you do to increase the diameter without raising the die way up on the press.

The lee is junk and oddball sized requiring only lee dies. My thoughts.

Your money do as you please.

[ke6guj]

not sure what you are talking about regarding the adapter but it is basically a bushing with 1.25" threads on the inside and 1.5" threads on the outside. You screw a 1.25" Lee die into it and you can then use the Lee die in a 1.5" press. No different than the standard Lee press having a bushing that is 1.25" on the outside and 7/8" on the inside for use with standard dies.

[CSACANNONEER]

Good luck. I did some research before getting my 50bmg(the 50DTC is almost the same as you probably know) and got the Hornady over the RCBS. My buddy got the lee and it has broken 2 times in 3 years just resizing. It also takes 1.25" dies vrs 1.5" dies for everyone else. Someone posted about an adapter from 1.25" to 1.5" That must be a weird one. I have used bushings to reduce but what would you do to increase the diameter without raising the die way up on the press.

The lee is junk and oddball sized requiring only lee dies. My thoughts.

Your money do as you please.

First, the OP already has Lee DTC dies. Second, the adapter or reducer bushing I mentioned is used to allow the use of Lee dies is regular 1 1/2" presses.

[ke6guj]

First, the OP already has Lee DTC dies.

right, and with those Lee dies, he can use a Lee press for now and then upgrade to a 1.5" press later on if he wishes and not have to buy new dies.

[mrkubota]

Once fire-formed, DTC brass 'grows' VERY slowly compared to BMG brass, so there should be little effort needed to size the DTC cases once they are formed to your rifles chamber.
As noted several times, it will be difficult to size and initially form BMG brass into DTC, but once it's there... it won't be an issue any longer.
Since the OP is planning on buying already processed/converted brass, he should be good to go with the Lee press. Heck, he could buy an extra press if he has room on his bench, and then not have to change dies out and still be money ahead.

I've been using my Lee for about 3 years and the only thing I've managed to break has been the small pistol priming arm. Use enough lube on the cases and inside the necks and there shouldn't be a problem.

I also have two of the Hornady presses and an RCBS Ammomaster.

If you plan to upsize in the future, I too prefer the Hornady over the RCBS

//Ben