MidSouth Shooters SupplyRotoMetals2Titan ReloadingLee Precision
Load DataReloading EverythingWidenersRepackbox
Inline Fabrication
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Straightening Lead Wire

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    East Texas
    Posts
    3,624

    Straightening Lead Wire

    I am swaging 32 caliber bullets using.250” wire I extruded using a die I made.
    The wire comes out in aprox 6 foot lengths and coils under the press.
    I have been cutting it into 12” pieces for ease of handling and would like to get it as straight as possible to get consistent slugs when cutting.
    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Banned
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    755
    Can you cut it into 12” lengths as it comes out of the extruder?

  3. #3
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    East Texas
    Posts
    3,624
    I did want to have a cylinder with 40,000 pounds near my head!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    1,437
    Roll it between two sheets of 1/4" glass, steel, aluminum... You get the idea.
    QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    bullet maker 57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Hudson Valley New York
    Posts
    745
    As jdfoxinc said, roll it between something. I roll the wire between two 1X8 pieces of pine.

  6. #6
    Moderator Emeritus
    garandsrus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Warren, MI
    Posts
    2,935
    Since you are probably going to run the slug through a bleed/core die, it doesn’t matter much. The couple grains that bleed out will give you a consistent core.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    East Texas
    Posts
    3,624
    Thanks! I ended up rolling them on a granite tile with a piece of 2x6 and it worked out well!

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy


    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    427
    I've extruded tons of wire. I just rolled it with my hands on a flat table. No need for a board or anything else. If you spin them a few times while pressing, you can get it pretty flat and straight. More than straight enough to run through the core cutter. You can even do 3-4 piece at a time if you put a space between each piece. My sections are like 19" long though
    Zbench

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    midnight's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    East Troy, WI
    Posts
    1,155
    I keep eight spools of various size lead wire on 3/4 cold rolled rod hung between the floor joists right above the wire cutter. I just pull it down from the ceiling. Judging from the little lead squirts, my cuts are remarkably consistent, I'd say less than 1/2gr variance.

    Bob
    Si hostes visibilis, etiam tu

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