Looking to get into swaging

[Dirtjumper895]

I've been looking to get into swaging for a while, however I seem to still have some lingering questions that reading old threads does not seem to answer.

First, is there a used market for a swaging press? I have been looking in the swap/sell threads, and it doesn't seem like many get posted. I am looking for a RCE Walnut Hill or a Corbin CSP-2. I am mainly looking to swage 338 and 510 projectiles and would have no drive to use this press for reloading. Any other recommendations for a different press?

I've been looking into BTSnipers .510 Amax Clone die set, but have yet to contact him. I would like to make the jackets from 308 brass. Would this projectile be too advanced for a beginner? I'm planning on using these in my 510 Whisper, so I may also want to make something soft lead point as well.

Thanks!

[marcusp323]

First off, welcome to the obsession that swaging is for some of us anyway. Best of luck finding a used WH or Corbin press for less than new. Far & few between it seems, & those that I do see posted like on ebay or GB tend to go for just a few bucks under what a guy could order one for. I use modded Rockchuckers for 224 & 6mm bullets, & a WH for the bigger stuff myself. More leverage if nothing else as far as I'm concerned. Sure others will chime in with ideas too. Have fun with it
Mark

[BlackoutBuilder]

Yep, it's a small market. Not much used stuff around. This isnt about saving money, it's cheaper to buy bullets. It's sure fun though, and I always have enough ammo in calibers I swage for.

[Meatpuppet]

For swaging it is definately "Buy once, Cry once." Especially if you are swaging a larger round like a .510 you will want to have the strongest press you can find.

I have never used any Corbin dies, but I have 4 sets of BT Snipers dies and I cannot say enough about his quality and service.

Be careful. Swaging is the crack-cocaine of the boolit world. Once is all it takes to become addicted.

[Iron Whittler]

Swaging is procedure of it's own. Basically you are a small bullet co. It has a learning curve that can be learned by most competent reloaders. The dies are expensive, but will outlast you if not abused and are properly cared for. The rewards are the satisfaction of quality bullets you made and the fact that you can make your own when the next Big shortage hits. Stay with known die makers. There are a lot of copy cats out there that their products are good for trout line weights. Save your $$$ and get good stuff from the start, you will be money ahead. The RCE W-H PRESS IS A GOOD ONE as are his dies. Unless you are in a hurry, be patient and good used presses and dies do come along. Dave Corbin- Corbin mfg. has a used equipment section on their web site. Good hunting and have fun swaging.

[Dirtjumper895]

Thanks for the replies. I'm good with spending the funds on a CSP-2, however I have read great things about the Walnut Hill and the 1/3 of the price is enticing. I definitely understand the addiction that is to come, it's just another thing I will be able to make. I'd love to have a steady supply of heavy jacketed bullets for my Whisper. I didn't buy nearly enough milsurps, and I wasn't too happy with the accuracy they provided anyways. I know I definitely want to do .510, but .338 and .500 would also be of interest down the road.

[Faret]

I've been looking into BTSnipers .510 Amax Clone die set, but have yet to contact him. I would like to make the jackets from 308 brass. Would this projectile be too advanced for a beginner? I'm planning on using these in my 510 Whisper, so I may also want to make something soft lead point as well.

Thanks!

I would like some more info and pics too!

[Dirtjumper895]

This is the rifle that that I primarily be looking to swage for.


The next two pics are from BTSnipers "50BMG Match Bullet from 308win!" thread.




I found this in the same thread. His work is impressive! " Customer wanted to make some heavy .510 bullets for shooting subsonic in his 50 Alaskan so I made some 1,000 grain bullets to show him what is possible with these dies. With a nice lead tip and the thin 308 win jacket it should make for an impressive round!
820 grain bullets pictured on outside and 1,000 grain bullets on inside."

[Faret]

I wonder what ogive that bullet is?

[Dirtjumper895]

I'm not entirely sure on the ogive. What I am really looking for is a jacketed soft point that will expand at subsonic speeds. I also need a projectile with a long nose like the ones shown above to feed nicely from my mag fed Savage. I currently run a 1000 grain gas checked bore rider, and due to the nose shape they sone times have trouble feeding from the mags.

[bullet maker 57]

Looks to me like the 2 on the outside are ULD ogives.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP...

is there a used market for a swaging press? I have been looking in the swap/sell threads, and it doesn't seem like many get posted.

I've watched the S&S section almost daily since I joined this forum. I think I've seen a WH listed 3 or 4 times.

[BT Sniper]

I wonder what ogive that bullet is?

10s tangent ogive!

I also have a 6s ogive reamer.

BT

[BlackoutBuilder]

Looks like a continuous arc from the nose to tail. Is there no section shaped like a cylinder?

[Dirtjumper895]

So my current thoughts right now are to get dies to swage a 900-1000gr 10s tangent ogive rebated boat tail projectile. Thinking a 0.250" meplat, with a nose length of 1.5-1.7". And an overall projectile length of 2.5". I'm shooting for >90% case fill when seated ad loaded with the powders I use and get 100% burn prior to exiting the muzzle.

I plan on mocking up a couple using a 750Amax with the tip cut off so make sure these will feed with the 0.250" meplat.

[Valornor]

I think it's just the photo. The junction between the ogive and the shank of the bullet is there, it's just hard to see with the photo. They are some swell looking bullets