Hornady 085005 50 Cal BMG Press Instruction Manual

LOCK-N-LOAD® 50 Cal.
BMG

INTRODUCTION

The single-stage Lock-N-Load 50 BMG is a big, strong press that provides the experienced or beginning hand loader with all the capacity, strength, and leverage to reload all rifle and pistol calibers. With the Hornady Lock-N-Load 50 BMG press compound leverage system and massive 1 1/2″ ram, Lock-N-Load 50 BMG will form cases or swage bullets. With an optional ram end adapter bushing and standard Lock-N-Load die bushing, the press can be converted to load ammo with any standard die using 7/8-14 threads. With seven inches between the top plate and the main press frame, Lock-N-Load 50 BMG will easily handle the longest standard cartridge.

BEFORE RELOADING

Before using the Lock-N-Load 50 BMG press, read the instruction manual carefully to fully learn how to safely operate the related reloading equipment. Failure to properly operate certain reloading equipment can result in severe personal injury and/or equipment damage. If you have read these instructions and still do not understand some operations, call us at 1-800-338-3220 and a technician will assist you. This instruction manual contains specific safety and operating information. It should be considered a permanent part of your reloading equipment and remain with the equipment at all times for easy reference.

SAFETY

Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that can be conducted safely. But, as with any hobby, carelessness or negligence can make reloading hazardous. When reloading, safety rules must be followed. By observing these rules, the chance of a hazardous occurrence causing personal injury or property damage is minimized.

WARNING
To avoid injury, read and follow these safe priming practices.
DO NOT attempt to prime military cartridge cases with crimped primer pockets until the crimp has been removed with a counter sink, a special reamer, or by swaging. Primers seated into crimped pockets are subject to deformation which can cause misfires and even detonation during seating which can cause serious personal injury.
DO NOT attempt to seat primers against excessive resistance which may cause detonation and possible serious personal injury. Check to be certain that the case was not previously primed, that the fired primer was removed, that a portion of the primer cup wall might still be in the primer pocket, and that you are using the correct size primer.
DO NOT modify the priming system in any manner or attempt to use similar parts or priming systems from other manufacturers. To do so could result in primer detonations resulting in serious personal injury.
NEVER seat a primer into a powder-charged case.

INSTALLATION

Before proceeding, mount the Lock-N-Load 50 BMG to a sturdy work surface. Use three bolts at least 5/16″ in diameter and of sufficient length to extend through the press base and work surface with enough length to allow washers and nuts. Install the threaded portion of the handle through the toggle block. Attach the handle nut and tighten it firmly. The handle nut must remain tight at all times to avoid damage to the handle and toggle. To correctly position the primer catcher, snap it onto the rear post as shown. Spent primers drop through the partially hollow ram and into the primer catcher.

50 Cal. BMG PARTS

Your 50 Cal BMG press comes with the following items:

GUIDELINES

General

• Use all equipment as the manufacturer recommends. Study the instructions carefully and become thoroughly familiar with the operation of the product. If you do not have written instructions, request a copy from the equipment manufacturer.
• Don’t take shortcuts. Attempting to bypass established procedures is an invitation to an accident.
• Observe “good housekeeping” in the reloading area. Keep tools and components neat, clean and orderly. Promptly and completely clean up primer and powder spills.
• Reload only when you can give it your undivided attention. Do not reload when fatigued or ill, or under the influence of medications or alcohol. Develop a reloading routine to avoid mistakes that may prove hazardous. Don’t rush — load at a leisurely pace.
• Always wear adequate eye protection to protect your eyes from flying particles. You assume the unnecessary risk when reloading without wearing safety glasses.

Loading Data

• Use only laboratory-tested reloading data. We highly recommend the Hornady reloading manuals.

Primers Will Explode!

• Keep away from children.
• Do not smoke near primers.
• Primers are designed to explode and will do so when subjected to heat or percussion.
• Always wear safety glasses when handling primers.
• DO NOT force primers. All primers in the near vicinity of an exploding primer will usually also detonate violently. Do not store or handle primers in bulk.
• For identification and safety, keep primers in their original protective packaging.
• An absolute minimum of primers should be kept at the loading operation. Open only one package tray at a time.
• Do not recap live primers.
• Never attempt to seat or reset a primer in a loaded round.

WARRANTY

All Hornady reloading tools and accessories are warranted against material defects and workmanship
This warranty is void if the product (1) has been damaged by an accident or unreasonable use, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship;  or (2) has been altered or repairs have been made or attempted by other than authorized factory personnel; (3) is used commercially; or (4) has been altered or defaced in any way. This warranty supersedes all other warranties for Hornady products either written or oral. No other warranty is expressed or implied.

PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND SERVICE

You must register your product to obtain Warranty Service.
Complete the registration form at hornady.com/warranties.

http://hornady.com/warranties
Scan to register your product to receive the full benefit of its warranty.

TO RECEIVE WARRANTY SERVICE

To report a warranty claim, call Hornady ® at 800-338-3220 to request a return authorization number. Returns will not be accepted without prior return authorization by Hornady.

RELOADING INSTRUCTIONS

Sizing the Case

1. Place the shell holder into the end of the ram and lock it in place with the Lock-N-Load system. Thread the .50 cal size die into the press, until the end of the die contacts the shell head holder, with the ram raised to its highest position. Turn it a quarter turn more, and turn the Lock Ring down the die until it contacts the top of the press. Back the die and the Lock Ring out of the press a short distance, and lock the Lock Ring to the die. Turn the die back into the press, until it stops against the Lock Ring. Place a lubricated case into the shell head holder. (We recommend Hornady ® Unique Case Lube; follow the instructions on the can.) Lower the press handle and run the case all the way into the die, and retract it. This will size your case, expel the spent primer, and expand the case mouth. (See die instructions for proper decap pin setting.)

2. The Lock-N-Load 50 BMG is supplied with a ram priming unit. The installation and operation procedure to seat is as follows: Remove the sizer die from the top plate. Install the Press Adapter and the shell head holder on the top of the press. (You may want to use a wrench to snug the press adapter to the press.)

3. Assemble the Ram Prime with a Sure-Loc Lock Ring to a Lock-N-Load die bushing. Select the Primer Seater Punch of your choice. Place the Primer Seater cup, and spring it onto the primer seater punch. Place a wire (a paper clip works well) through the cross hole in the Primer Seater cup and Primer Seater punch. Thread the seater punch into the primer adjusting shaft, until the thread “bottoms out.” Remove the wire. Thread the adjustment shaft and lock the ring into the body. Thread the body into the Sure-Loc Lock Ring and the Lock-N-Load die bushing. Snug the Sure-Loc Lock Ring to the bushing, but do not secure it at this time. Place the assembled ram prime unit in the end of the ram, and engage the Lock-N-Load bushings. Raise the ram to the top of its stroke. (This is with the links parallel to the ram, and just before the end of travel of the press handle.) Adjust the primer seater punch to extend through the shell head holder a few thousandths of an inch. (Correct adjustment should seat the primer .005 to .013, depending on your requirements.) Once adjusted, lock the Lock Rings in place. The Ram Prime Unit should now be able to be removed and replaced at will, with no adjustments necessary.
   Priming the Case

4. Insert the .50 cal shell holder in the adapter bushing and lock it into place on the top plate. Lower the press handle to raise the Primer Seater cup above the shell head holder. Place a primer in the cup, and raise the handle to allow you to place a case in the shell head holder. Lower the handle to seat the primer. Raise the handle a small amount and remove the case. Insufficient or excessive primer seating depth will greatly decrease primer sensitivity and can result in misfires. Due to the mechanical advantages of this press, it is possible to over-seat or crush primers during this operation. Care must be exercised while adjusting to the proper depth to not crush or overseas the primers. After you have accurately weighed the powder charge, it can be poured into the primed case. You are now ready for the final steps of reloading seating the bullet and crimping the case.
   Seating the Bullet and Crimping Case

5. Remove the Ram Primer and reinstall the Lock-NLoad shell holder in the ram. Install the seater die and place a case in the shelled holder. Raise the ram to the top of its stroke. Turn the seater adjusting screw up and out of the way. Screw the seater die down until it contacts the case, then back it off the one-quarter turn. Lower the ram and insert a bullet in the mouth of the case. Raise the ram to the top of its stroke, and lower the seater adjusting screw to seat a bullet to the proper depth. Crimp a case, by backing the seater adjusting screw up a couple of turns. Screw the seater die down a little at a time until the desired crimp is achieved. Turn the seater adjusting screw down until it contacts the bullet. When you have achieved the proper adjustment, lock it in place with the Lock Ring.

POST-WARRANTY SERVICE INFORMATION

For issues concerning service after the Limited Warranty expires, contact Hornady® at 800-338-3220.
PRODUCT SERIAL NUMBER AND REFERENCE INFORMATION
You must register your product in order to obtain warranty service. In the event you should need service for your product, please note the following information:

Serial Number _
Date Purchased ____
Retailer ___

P.O. Box 1848 • Grand Island, NE 68802-1848
hornady.com/contact
16HMC0114 | 04/2022
780229(2)

References

• Contact Us - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

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