Load DataRotoMetals2MidSouth Shooters SupplyWideners
Titan ReloadingInline FabricationReloading EverythingRepackbox
Lee Precision
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 26

Thread: Primary motivation for swaging jacketed bullets

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy T_McD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    380

    Primary motivation for swaging jacketed bullets

    For all those making your own jacketed bullets, what is your main motivation?

    I got into reloading to save money, and its working wonders...

    I just started casting as I could not find cast rifle bullets for cheaper than jacketed and wanted to save more money.

    Is swaging a similar money saving endeavor, or is it more pride of craftsmanship kinda deal. Speaking from complete ignorance here so no offense meant. It is hard to judge from my quick scan of this forum as swaging seems to be a "sliver" of an already niche market and there was no swaging for dummies post for me to read. Where does one start researching?

  2. #2
    Moderator



    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Oregon Coast
    Posts
    10,248
    I do it because I like tinkering and making things I can't find elsewhere. It's satisfying to be able to produce what the average shooter can't.

    As for saving money, never going to happen......

    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    NoZombies's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    N. Florida
    Posts
    2,493
    It keeps me off the streets... I also like making stuff that's better than what I can buy.
    Nozombies.com Practical Zombie Survival

    Collecting .32 molds. Please let me know if you have one you don't need, cause I might "need" it!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    1,437
    Considering the cost of presses and dies. It will take a lot of swaged j words to amortize the costs. I like building new skills I can pass on. Also if another shortage of components occurs I can bypass it. **** OR TETOWAKI I have a tradeable skill set.
    QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Time Killer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    153
    For saving money its hard to beat casting. For me is more of a hobby. I look at it like my fishing boat. Never gonna catch enough fish to pay for that boat. Same with swagging. But I enjoy making and shooting my own swagged or cast. What it allows is u to create bullets that you can not buy. Saying that, some calibers are more cost friendly and effective than others. Example, swagging 223 bullets. You can by them by the hundred for less than 8 cent a piece. Lets just say you already had a press for the job. The dies and core mold would put you out around 700 -1500 depending on the maker. At best that is close to 9000 bullets you would have to make at no cost to you to break even just for the dies. Do you shoot that much? I load and shoot several thousands of rounds a year (Most of this being cast bullets) Part of my hobby. This does not include the time to make them and cost to the components (Lube, Lead, brass or bought jackets.). Now for larger or rarer calibers the break even point does not take near as many bullets. The most common and easiest to swage are the 22, 243, 30 cal, 9mm, 38/357/358, 40, 44, and the 45. The cheapest calibers to get into swaging right now are the 40/10mm and 44 cal bullets with one of BT Snipers BT one step dies. This is all considering that you will be buying the dyes. With a little knowledge if you have the tools you can make a set of dies.

    My personal opinion is to look at it as a hobby. I enjoy making them both cast and swagged. I do not think I will ever save any money by either. But I shore do have fun shooting a lot more than most people. Do what you enjoy. If you do not enjoy it find something you do.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Cecilia, Kentucky
    Posts
    6,718
    Quote Originally Posted by NoZombies View Post
    It keeps me off the streets... I also like making stuff that's better than what I can buy.
    I know very little about swaging so I'm going to ask a question or two.

    How is home swaged bullets better than store bought?

    From what I understand you can make bullets that are cup and core or even interlocked style right? But you can't make bonded core/jacket bullets right? What about H mantle style?

  7. #7
    Boolit Master



    Dieselhorses's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Southeast Louisiana
    Posts
    1,313
    I was thinking about doing this (and this is just my own 2 cents)… I guess once I figure out how many dies I need and equipment for just one caliber-say 223, and squeeze one more "nook" in my loading room, I'll embark on this.
    The unexamined life is not worth living....Socrates
    Pain, is just weakness leaving the body....USMC
    Fast is fine, but accuracy is FINAL!....Wyatt Earp

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bozoland Mt.
    Posts
    1,698
    Bazoo
    Some bullet swagers are on the leading edge of benchrest competition. Not me though.

    You can buy very good bullets from the manafactures but you have no control of what they produce.
    They may decide today that the bullet your rifle loves is no longer profitable.

    When you load bullets you made, every bullet is formed in the same die, when you buy bullets, the box contains bullets formed in several dies. Sure the modern bullets are very good, but if you want to control
    the indexing of each piece you can.

    I'm never going to save money swaging bullets, but.
    It's a lot cheaper than spending the same amount of time drinking tequila.
    To lazy to chase arrows.
    Clodhopper

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    NoZombies's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    N. Florida
    Posts
    2,493
    Quote Originally Posted by Bazoo View Post
    I know very little about swaging so I'm going to ask a question or two.

    How is home swaged bullets better than store bought?

    From what I understand you can make bullets that are cup and core or even interlocked style right? But you can't make bonded core/jacket bullets right? What about H mantle style?
    I made a run of 1,000 316.5 grain .45 bullets recently. They were consistent in weight to less than .05 grains for the run of 1000. I can't buy or cast that kind of consistency.

    Without much extra equipment (beyond the normal swaging stuff) making cup and core bullets, interlocked, and bonded are all fairly easy. H mantle bullets require equipment beyond most home swaging setups.
    Nozombies.com Practical Zombie Survival

    Collecting .32 molds. Please let me know if you have one you don't need, cause I might "need" it!

  10. #10
    Moderator



    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Oregon Coast
    Posts
    10,248
    My swaged bullets are bonded, and I don't use any flux. I accidentally stumbled onto a method where the core and jacket become one, and the only way to separate them is to melt the lead core away from the jacket. I just anneal the jackets and cores already put together at a temperature of 1,125 degrees F, and let them set over night in the kiln. Evidently, the high temperature and long soak bond them together.





    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  11. #11
    Vendor Sponsor


    BT Sniper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Oregon next to the river
    Posts
    5,650
    I enjoy shooting sage rats every spring with bullets I made myself. Even though my 20 practical shooting 32 grain Hornady v-max bullets at 4100fps my be more accurate, I get a great feeling of pride and satisfaction making the same shots with a 223 rem shooting my bullets made from scrap 22lr brass.

    It is that feeling that I enjoy most vs. any factory bullet I may have ever shot.

    Same goes for my successful big game hunts where I have taken two mule deer and one elk with bullets I made myself. The fact that you are not only reloading the ammo but also making the projectile too ...... well the feeling of satisfaction I get from that is why I continue no matter how much time or money is invested.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=50qH4CdSHQU

    Brian
    BTX Star Crimp Die
    Back in stock with new low price!
    Click link below!
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Star-Crimp-Die


    also check in and say hello on my new face book page!
    https://www.facebook.com/BTSniper-153949954674572/

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Cecilia, Kentucky
    Posts
    6,718
    Thanks for the replies to my query, that's mighty interesting. I've been wanting to get into swaging but money to get started is the hinderance for me.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    plains of colorado
    Posts
    3,640
    its is definatly not to save money.

    I like knowing I have a way to make my own for my high power rifles, cast just dont cut it at the fps they need. out here a lot of shots are out to 300 yards or better.
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    55
    A lot of people talk about it’s not about saving money... that is and isn’t a true statement at the same time. I do look at it as paying up front. But then you do find the next thing or option you need to try or progress into. I bought Brian’s Simple .224/.22lr and did 10k with a lee HAND press, before buying a Blackmon press. Long story short, I can shoot .223/5.56 cheaper than .22lr now. But I’ve also progressed into different dies and accessories that I’ve take. 5.7x28 into the same situation for me. Better consistency than factory if you’re familiar with the round, taken from $0.50 to $0.07 per round for me. I can shoot that all summer and not stress it.

    My situation: winter is completely wasted on me, so that is my swaging and reloading period.

    When the wife shoots, my army buddies need a range day, or I just need to let off steam, I don’t stress dumping a $30 PS90 50 round magazine in as short of time as possible. It opens up my range days to how it was when I was back in the army, I can focus on improving fundamentals, because I’m not worried about cost, and I have an “unlimited” supply, regardless how much I have made/reloaded. I’m not a prepper, and by fall, my stock pile is all but depleted. Then the process starts over. The only challenges I have, are the backfilling of warm out brass in certain calibers, the availability of my powders and primers, and beating my competition to my lead supplier.

    3 years into this hobby, I won’t sell any ammo, I don’t want that liability. My buddies come and help on assorted processes, hoping to get them to make investment tostart on calibers I’m not doing. Make it a community effort.

    Again, I’m still looking at my next want. I still looking at it as paying up front, by no means “saving money”.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    wisconsin
    Posts
    109
    Generally the larger and more eccentric calibers will have faster turn around on investment but I do it for enjoyment as it is one more process to self-sufficiency.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy T_McD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    380
    Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the insight.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,308
    Feeding something like the 458 win mag with factory gets old real quick, but generally I don't see a saving with the amount I shoot in a year. Pride and enjoyment are the big motivators for me. Regards Stephen

  18. #18
    Boolit Master



    MUSTANG's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Kalispell, Montana
    Posts
    2,747
    Although this is an extreme example based on my recent acquisition of my first Belted Magnum (300 Win Mag)

    Factory Box of 300 WinMag Loaded Ammo- $40.00 to $62.00

    or for the cost of bullets to reload:

    Box (100) of 175 SMK - $40.00 to $45.00
    Box (100) of 180 SMK - $45.00 to $55.00
    Box (100) of 195 SMK - $48.00 to $58.00
    Box (100) of 220 SMK - $60.00 to $75.00

    Lead is free to $0.02 per round (140 grain lead core in a 220 Grain Bullet)
    Jacket made from 5/16 Copper Tubing is about $0.08 for each jacket.
    Corbin dies for making a Rebated Boat Tail version of the SMK is about $1200.00
    Corbin CSP-1 Swage Press is about $750.00.

    You would have to make about 6,700 of the 175 SMK's to break even on your purchase for that bullet. Heavier bullets, breakeven comes much quicker. If you make multiple weights of bullets; then quicker - but allows far greater freedom in bullet choice; such as If I wanted for some reason a 183 grain bullet, I could Make It but could not buy it. Additionally, the press is useable in other calibers if you decide to do so; such as making .224's I make them for nothing but time as the 22LR/17HMR/22Mag are free and I collect lead for free from time to time.

    Not for everyone; but the best reason for swaging your own bullets is "I LIKE DOING SO".
    Mustang

    "In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy MightyThor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Great Falls, Montana
    Posts
    325
    I started swaging myself because My dad did it and I learned how from standing underfoot. When I started I wanted to make sure that I would always have something to shoot. since then there have been several "shortages" that did not effect me because I could make my own. I pray the day never comes that I have to shoot only what I can make, but sometimes I wonder if that day is not just around the corner.
    "let's go. He ain't hittin' nothin'.".... "You IDIOT, he's hit everything he's aimed at!"

  20. #20
    Boolit Master flyingmonkey35's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    1,414
    You will shoot more for less

    But this not Kraft about shooting its about the hobby and skill.

    I would hazzard a gusset that their are fewer than 4 thousand people on the planet that have the skill and patience to do it.

    I do not cast or reload to make MONEY or save it. I do it because I enjoy it.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check