Is anyone using a Waltz 22 rimfire resizing die. Watched a video where they run a 22lr into the die which expands the bullet and sizes it to .225 diameter . Makes every bullet consistent for better accuracy.
Is anyone using a Waltz 22 rimfire resizing die. Watched a video where they run a 22lr into the die which expands the bullet and sizes it to .225 diameter . Makes every bullet consistent for better accuracy.
eveready
I don't use that one, but i use a Paco Kelly that size2 from 22. 223, 224, and 225 and also changes the tip to different configurations. Pretty slick.
I made my own, works just like the Waltz tool. Much better than the Paco Kelly tool in that you have precise control of the swaging force and final dimension. Did an extensive series of tests about 6 years ago. Bottom line is that it definitely does improve the accuracy of cheap commodity ammo, but does nothing but harm to dedicated target ammo like SK. One type that did very well when swaged up to .2250 bullet diameter was MiniMags.
The greatest gain seems to be with commodity guns that have loose "sporting" chambers. (Ruger, I'm lookin' at you.) Reason being that increasing the bullet diameter better fills the throat, which holds the round closer to the bore axis at discharge. Most of my testing was done with a stock 10/22, some with a mint Marlin 39a, and some with a very accurate Ballard custom rifle. The Ballard has a Lilja competition chamber, and showed the least improvement from the swaging.
Cognitive Dissident
I have owned one for more than a decade. Unfortunately, acquisition and blossoming of MCTD occurred at the same time. Shooting, hunting, being pleasant, etc. went on what appeared to be permanent hold. Thankfully, living has improved.
As I type, my "gun room" aka "sewing room" is egregiously disorganized. Having substantial 22 LR ammunition, target firearms, and pretty much year around small game hunting, I'll test guns with ammunition as-is. If hasenpfeffer acceptable, Waltz die set remains unused. If unacceptable, I'll work with the semiwadcutter forming die. I believe this will yield effective killing effect with accuracy.
It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it. Sam Levinson
I've had a Paco Kelly die since '05 and have used it extensively. I use a small drill press as an arbor press in lieu of using a mallet with it so it works giving consistent results as the drill press is adjustable with a stop. Testing numerous different types of 22LR from cheap bulk to expensive match showed a marked increase in accuracy with the bottom end ammunition. No improvement in accuracy with quality match ammunition. Testing was done in a very accurate match rifle, a quality Remington M504 sporter and a Ruger 10-22 with factory barrel. What I found suited me the most was using the HP tool in bulk Federal, Winchester and Remington HV HPs to size the bullets to .225 and to reform the HP to a larger opening. The increase in accuracy and vastly improved terminal performance was immediately noticeable shooting small "picket pins" (ground squirrels) and larger "red diggers" (a Large ground squirrel found in high mountain meadows). The improvement in terminal performance has to be seen to be believed.
I then got a Waltz die a couple years later. Much simpler and easier to use. I mostly use it to size (.225) the bullet and open the HPs also. I often do 525 carton of bulk 22LR HV HPs while watching tv. I use the Waltz die in a Lee hand press which makes it very handy. I also really like to use CCI Blazer @@LR as sizing greatly improves the accuracy by reducing the number of flyers. With my M504 sporter 1/2 to 3/4" ten shot groups at 50 yards are the norm. HPing the softer Blazer bullets makes them excellent for small game/varmints as the terminal effect is greatly enhanced. I I want really excellent accuracy HPing quality match 22LR such as Lapua CenterX or Midas+, Ely, and Norma match really makes for some excellent small squirrel shooting out to 100+ yards.
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Larry Gibson
“Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
― Nikola Tesla
Does it size the case? SIL has a Marlin 60 that won't feed modern stuff due to tight chamber.
Whatever!
Paco Kelly die will size the case to .222 or .221 for tight chambers. He has two sizers, sent me both since I told him I have two BSA Martini Internationals and at that time was teaching Boy Scouts to shoot. One sizes .224 and .225, the other .222 or .221 if I remember right.
Wayne the Shrink
There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!
My homebrew sizes to .2250, and that enters the Lilja chamber in my Ballard OK. I'd look at the Model 60 to see if the firing pin strike has peened a burr into the chamber mouth. A problem so common that there are special tools made to correct it.
Cognitive Dissident
Even if you only need it once, worth it.
https://www.tandemkross.com/ChamberM...erIroningSwage
Is Neil Waltz still in business? I sent him an email several days ago, with no response.
If you've got a lathe, or a friend with one, the tool is not hard to make. Mine started with an unwanted .44 Magnum seater die. Make a sleeve to press into it, drill and ream the sleeve to the diameter you want, and make whatever nose-forming mandrel(s) you need. The die's adjuster screw does the rest, suitably shortened. You do need a die with a large diameter adjuster plug, so the RCBS type with the small threaded spindles are out. You'd have to buy the reamer ($25 on Amazon) and a .22LR shellholder.
Better yet! Get one of the new Lee "expander" dies. The sizer sleeve and the nose-forming mandrels can be a sliding fit inside the die body, adjusted by the factory-supplied top screw. I think it's NOE that's already making a family of expanders for that die. Talk him into making the sleeve and nose-former mandrels as a kit. Both very simple CNC lathe parts. Another product that ought to sell.
Add: Anybody wants to try this, I've already whipped up a dimensioned sketch in AutoCAD. Start with 9/16 round stock and the cuts are minimal. I'd prototype it myself, but my back is so bad that standing in front of a lathe for even a few minutes is torture. p/m me for the file.
Last edited by uscra112; 02-24-2021 at 04:07 PM.
Cognitive Dissident
I called Mr. Waltz. He is still in business. I am in the process of getting one of his die sets.
How does the Waltz die cost?
Thank you.
I ordered one, and it came in 6 days. Fast service. Mine must be undersized, as .2241, as what mine sizes to. Verified with two different micrometers. I haven't done any serious testing with ammo that's been through it, as the weather won't cooperate. I have a 513T, and a 75 Win target available to test with. I may have to try lapping to the .225 diameter, if the .2241 bullets don't shoot better than the factory diameters. I do know that the bullets are a consistent .2241 diameter, after going through the die, which should be a positive thing.
.2241 is not big enough for the majority of "sporting" rifle chambers. And in my testing, bumping didn't have much effect when the ammo was fired in my Ballard target rifle.
Cognitive Dissident
GBertolet, I look forward to your shooting report when your weather improves.
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 |