Options for swag presses?

[wacki]

So far I've got:

1. DIY: I'm estimating @ ~$200....for all major steel parts.
2. UP North @ $795 base
3. Corbin Mega Mite @ $1,298
4. RCE, LLC.Walnut Hill press @ $449

Any others? What's your favorite press?

[BT Sniper]

Depends on how big of bullet you are making!

I don't think it is a secret here, the Lee Classic Cast is my favorite.

BT

[a.squibload]

Mine too, BUT would recommend reinforcing the tubular handle, maybe
put a rod inside before putting serious force on it.
I was swaging 44s the other day and didn't even notice 'til I was done.



Think I have it fixed, cut off the tapered end, inserted a 6" bolt
(was tight enough I had to screw it in with a wrench), that should
reinforce the area where the force is greatest. Had to round off the
bolt head to get it through the clamp. If this doesn't last I'll get a
solid bar of better steel.
Drilled a cheap baseball for the bent end, bend points up so the ball won't fall off.
Might have to glue it.
Had a tennis ball before, too squishy, almost worthless.

The good news: the press was unaffected.
The bad news: I ordered the priming attachment for my Rockchucker
'cause the Lee always has a swage die in it. I like priming on the Lee
but not sure it's worth removing the auto-eject.

With the successes in powdercoating I wondered if I would swage any more.
Answer: YEP.

[wacki]

Depends on how big of bullet you are making!

The largest subsonic bullet I shoot is 247 grain 300 Blackout.

The largest supersonic bullet I shoot is 130 grain 300 Blackout.

[midnight]

I use the Walnut Hill for everything but the 50 BMG and lead wire extrusion but I'm lucky, I have a RCE HydraSwage for the heavy stuff.

Bob

[tiger762]

RCE Walnut Hill here. There's far less play than in a reloading press, and a lot more leverage.

[aaronraad]

I think the Lee Classic Cast with auto-ejection and threaded ram (not snap-in shell holder R-type dies) for <1.3" length projectiles;

Walnut Hill for 1.3 to 1.5" length projectiles;

>1.5" hydraulic something or other.

[wacki]

So length determines the press not grain size?

[GerryM]

rock chucker''

[aaronraad]

So length determines the press not grain size?

Yes, you need to know the longest projectile you'll be swaging to make the best decision, otherwise you'll never have enough stroke.

Most presses develop enough pressure for soft lead or lead alloy swaging.

For harder alloys and materials like brass or copper then you need to look at how much grunt they have over the entire stroke. The die sizes, bleed holes, punches and ejection pins usually have to bulked up as well to handle these harder materials. Pressure, force, area, friction, lubricant, time, temperature...with the right size and materials you could probably crank out diamonds.

[just bill]

A while back aneat, BT and 20nickels had a post with a lot of info about the LeeCC mod. Pictures details and little secrets in the pictures. I chose to do the dual mod so I could change back and forth for swaging/reloading as welll as adding a 3/4" x 24" bent extended arm. I was abel to use the reloading option, easy switch. I have a rock chucker conversion too, can't say which is better, but the Lee has to much pay in the connecting links. There is probably an adaptation for that, too.
Bill

[Smokin7mm]

Walnut Hill here.

[hotbrew]

Walnut Hill works for me but depends on size of projectile. Also, dies have to be considered - you will quickly spend more on dies than the press.

hotbrew