Hello All,
New member, and my first post. I have been reloading my own ammo for a while and am just now getting into bullet making.
I had originally intended to cast but I just obtained a CH Swag-O-Matic press in a pile of random reloading gear. Of course as is usual with my luck the dies are missing. Now my first thought was to offload it and carry on with my plan to cast hard gas check bullets, but the more I think about it the more I am tempted to use it to make 44 magnum half jacketed bullets. The press also came with about two pounds of wire and a core cutter. Not enough stuff to get started but enough to be tempting.
My question is where would a fellow go to obtain half jackets these days? Are they even available from a current source? Also where does one obtain the pure lead wire?
I realize that with some patience the dies are obtainable on ebay. And if that doesn't work out I may just make a set. But my big concern is getting a hold of the consumables. If the consumables (esp. the jackets) turn out to be unavailable or .... GASP .... expensive, I may stick with casting.
Looking for some thoughts and guidance from those who are walking the same path.