⚙️ bullet chute for sizing in upside down press is working

[Walter Laich]

About a month ago I asked for ideas on how to make this chute: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...e+press+sizing

jmorris had the one I wanted to copy.

After fire less than success attempts this a.m. I got mine working. Seems the critical part is the angle and distance the end is from the ram. I have about 80% success before a bullet hangs up at the entrance to the sizing die.

Couple of things to notice: the chute assembly is held on my C-clamps. Turns out this is a good thing as when I send two bullets down the ramp (brain fade) the ram will move the chute. If it were mounted rigidly something would break. The C-clamps allow a bit of movement so all I have to do is reposition.

I'm planning on going to those big (not giant) clamps you see at the box stores.


side view

[Walter Laich]

here you can see how the end is up, off the die. The end taper was for a previous attempt as was the hole in the tube.

[Walter Laich]

shot 'sorta' down the tube. You can see countersink at top of tube--next picture will show it

[Walter Laich]

Made the countersink with a wood one that I got from HF. Just held tube in hands under drill press. PVC works well with wood tools

[Walter Laich]

another one:

[Walter Laich]

general comments:

the front of the tube needs to be cut back so the ram can completely extend; mine is probably too long.

There is a rhythm to this and when you mess up you either send a bullet across the floor (load bullet with ramp up) or move the cute (when you load two at a time--brain fade).

This really goes fast and since I've done it all of one time I know I'll get better.

my wife says, "Best thing is my fingers don't get near the top of the die;" the knows me well

[country gent]

Maybe a bolt on with spring tension so that in a bind it can push back and come forward to a set of stops.

[wlkjr]

Spring clamps

[OS OK]

Nice work here Walter...I haven't made a chute, I'm still tempting Murphy, but...I thought if the cast was dropped when the ram was still in the die (allowing the cast to come to rest against the ram) the cast might drop on over into the die when the ram was lifted. Is that what you are doing?

[Walter Laich]

...I thought if the cast was dropped when the ram was still in the die (allowing the cast to come to rest against the ram) the cast might drop on over into the die when the ram was lifted. Is that what you are doing?

exactly correct. the bullet actually rests on the ram vs. the shaft that pushes the bullet into the die. The trick is getting the tube positioned so the bullet drops in cleanly. I still get some that are cockeyed in the die and have to be straightened but overall it's much faster and safer.

[camp]

Nice, i may have to try the pvc , i am using a thinner tube and it moves alot

[fralic76]

So what is the size of the pipe used?

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Grmps]

I like the way you figured how to attach it to the press. The PVC pipe just needs to be bigger than the bullet, 1/2 worked for me.

[dikman]

I came up with something similar a while ago. My tube is cut at an angle where it meets the top of the die and the tube lip just rests on the edge of the die (the angle cut lets the ram/shaft clear the tube). Once I get into a rhythm it goes pretty fast but occasionally one won't drop in or bounces out.

[Walter Laich]

1/2" PVC but I think CPVC in 1/2" would also work

I made the wooden part first and took 3 tries to get the wooden 'triangle' close.

held the PVC in place and used hot glue to tack it. Tried it till got in zeroed in and then flooded it with hot glue. In refrigerator to cool it quick so I could try it.

Going to make another one as a back up as I can lose anything in 30 seconds these days

[wlkjr]

I used 1/2" cpvc and it will accept at least up to a .45acp

[dikman]

Mine. 1/2" tube, handles both .38 and .44-40.

[Walter Laich]

Mine. 1/2" tube, handles both .38 and .44-40.

do you have to have yours on the left side since you're below the equator?

[Smoke4320]

Very interesting design .. simple and effective .. I like

[dikman]

Yes, Walter, if I put it on the right the boolits slide up the tube.