cheap dies

[onlylead]

What is the cheapest dies to swage 45 acp wc out of lead? No jacket are hollow point! Have a rcbs rockchucker.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I've read of people swaging 44 cal projectiles using a 243win FL size die.
Now if there is a cartridge with an OD of .452 you could make your own dies "redneck" style.

[Bent Ramrod]

You might be able to find an old Herter's .45 die and punch on E-Bay. They were always the cheapest available when they were new. These were the ones for reloading press use, not for Herter's copy of the Swag-O-Matic, or their 9-Ton press.

[DukeInFlorida]

The answer to your question really depends on what kind of quality level you want.
If you merely want to take a chunk of lead, and smash it into a 45 caliber shape, there are tons of reloading die sets that will get you a result, as JonB points out. The Swage-O-Matic press, originally designed to make "half jacket" bullets, is somewhat cheap to buy (IF you can find one at all), but the tool sets are even rarer. The Semi Wad Cutters are really nice using that system of press and tools.
However.............
You post asks about WC, which I take to mean Wad Cutter.. That definition is merely a solid ended cylinder.


The image shows hollow base wad cutters.
Quite honestly, if that's all you want, then casting is the fastest and easiest way. If you worry about sizing and lubing, then just dip in Alox, and hope for the best.

However, if you want a "JACKETED" bullet, and your post didn't specify.... then swaging, using something as a donor jacket is important, and likely the ONLY way to get what you want. .

The first issue you will bump into (pardon the swaging pun) is that there are no cases ( 9mm, .40 S&W, etc) are actually the .452" OD that you will be otherwise looking for. So, whatever system you'll be looking for will require that you BUMP UP from a smaller diameter to the finished one.

On the other hand, if you are really looking for a "QUALITY" bullet, then buying a swaging set, from one of the current makers, will be your best bet. Keep in mind that the tool set isn't the ONLY cost when swaging. Your set up will require some additional accessories to function properly. Depending on your own abilities to do fabrication, you may decide to purchase those accessories (ejection system, for example) from the swage tool maker.

From my own experience, BT Sniper (Brian Thurner) makes a really good quality swaging die set, and accessories, you get you rolling. When it come to this stuff, I never consider buying a $5 car, one that will require endless fixing over the life of the car. In the same way, I much prefer a more "reasonably priced" car that will get me the mileage I need, without a lot of trouble. Arriving late to work too many times will likely get you fired. Analogies aside, Brian's work is wonderful, and much more reasonably priced that some of the other, more commercial, alternatives. You'll also get first class support, even if you mess up the tools (it happens).

So, I'll follow this tread a bit. Let us know what you REALLY are looking to do.

[onlylead]

Im wanting to make 200 grain 45 acp lead bullets no jacket. These would be used for bullseye competition.

[BT Sniper]

This is an area of swage dies I am considering offering dies for. Take simple cast boolits and swage them for best possible accuracy.

Could be an easy die like my BTSimple. My target cost would be in the $200- $250 range for the one die and base punch. Could work with any decent reloading press.

Are you looking for WC or SWC? and what exact diameter?

Brian

[onlylead]

Semi wadcutter .452 . Would this use a cast bullet and just reshape it and extrude the excess lead?

[HtNRun]

Just curious, if I'm understanding right, op is wanting non-jacketed swc in .452.

How would swagging be accomplished and still keep lube grooves?

If a core was swagged to diameter, another process would need to be performed to provide lube, or powder coat the slug...?To me it would seem a jacketed swag would be the most user friendly. Either that or a single cast mold designed to specs wanted...?

(Trying to learn, so excuse my ignorance, please)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BT Sniper]

I had excellent luck using a 44 cal SWC cast boolit then swaging it in the 45 cal SWC swage die with a copper base guard.

A bleed hole is possible, adds a little labor cost.

You could swage a bullet that has already been lubed.

BT

[rbuck351]

I have an old Swag-O-Matic that I use to "uniform" cast/lubed bullets. I have a small lathe and make my own dies for it. I have also been making an 85gr jacketed .314 bullet for a 32S&W using 50BMG primers for the jacket and a Lyman 69gr (actual 73gr) .257 boolit as a core.
Also, it's not hard to make jackets from cases that are a little large. I use 40 S&W cases to make jackets for my 41mag by annealing them and then pushing them through a .410 sizer die. Or 223 cases can be made into .358 rifle bullets.
All kinds of bullets can be made without breaking the bank.

[M.A.D]

Used BMG primers for 32 wadcutter? got any photos? Give me a good use for my BMG primers that cost $1 each

[onlylead]

B.T. If you start making the dies let me know please !

[BT Sniper]

Here is a die I came up with for making SWC 45 cal with base guards.

Swaged 45 cal bullet on left, cast 44 grain boolit that it started out as on right.



BT

[jdfoxinc]

Now those I'd be interested in. My C&H dies died in the fire aftermath. .312 80-90 gr8 swc hb/pb, .358 swc 110-148 gr8 hb/pb, .452 180 gr swc pb.

[BT Sniper]

Help me out with the acronyms

gr8 = grains I imagine

SWC, I got it!

HB = hollow base?

PB = ????? What is PB? Is that plane base?

Thanks

BT

[dragon813gt]

HB is hollow base. PB is plain base. gr8 might be the forum software doing wacky things but it sure looks like grains.

[Rick459]

onlylead,
check out this link. any questions PM me.
Rick

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...0-S-amp-W-Bras

[onlylead]

BT Sniper can you make the die to not use the gas check desIgn. Indoor range i shoot at has no jacket r gascheck rule because of ricochet.

[BT Sniper]

of course! die works the same weather you are using a gas check, base guard or nothing but lead.

BT

[onlylead]

BT figure out a price on dies with ableeder hole so I can make them more all the same weight and let me know. Thanks