Hello Everybody
My name is Giancarlo, and I'm an Italian long range shooter wich is raising up a web based company dedicated to avid long range reloaders.
Recently due to italian commercial restrictions I'm starting to investigate the possibility of custom swaged long range bullets.
In Italy we do not have law restrictions regarding import/export of bullets, but there are several "exclusive deals" from the big company with the most important bullet makers such like Sierra, Nosler and so on.
By the way, I've heard that custom swaged bullets are far better than standard bullets, and since I would like to offer the very best product in my website seems that this is the only way to go.
I tried for months to undestand the basic of this art, but here in Italy nobody goes on this road, so I had to read hundred of pages in English.
I clear up my mind a bit , but still I have some doubt.
Just yesterday I discover your forum, and I'm sure that you guys could help me to go in the right direction!
Long story short, this is what I wanted to do:
Custom bullets in .30 cal , flat base / HPBT / VLD-ULD.
Weight range should be from 155 to 210gn
Jackets : seems that J4 should be the best choice, even if Mr. Corbin tolds me that custom jackets are far better than J4, is it true? do you know a better jacket that J4?
Lead : import lead from USA it is possible, but very expensive. I should search for an Italian lead maker. everybody said that pure lead are the best choice, but I read that bullet makers use an alloy lead/antimonium ( 95%lead, 5% antimonium ) . why they choose this alloy even for "match" bullets?
Press/ dies : looking around I see that the best choice should be Corbin CSP-2 press with a complete set of dies, but I've read that delivery time could be even of 2 years! do you have suggestions regarding other good press to use or better dies for my needs? I read in this forum that Niemi carbide dies could be a more precise equipment.
I have custom press made from and Italian guy some years ago.
There are only 10 of them in the world, very well made and with an outstanding precision. it is a HUGE press! it weights almost 50Kg , all made in steel and Avional, and it was made for reloading the .50cal, so if I could find a good set of swaging dies to be ued in this press I could save some money and use this baby.
Mr Corbin tolds me that his dies were made for the CSP press, and they could not be used in a "standard" press, so he suggest me to buy one of his press for better results
I wold love to hear your suggestion , also for a good book to learn the basics of swaging.
I'm going to buy the Multi-Media Library of Swaging from Corbin's , do you know other good books?
thank you very much , and sorry for the bother.
ciao
Giancarlo