BTSniper 308 custom die progress!

[BT Sniper]

Got some project update pics for you guys. Progress is going well with the custom BTSniper swage dies. Here are some 308 pics made from FN 5.7x28 brass. Dummy round pic is a 300wm. Bullet weight is about 175 grains. I have some commercial jackets I'll have to try out too with this die set.

I am still learning a heck of a lot about making dies and progress can be slower then I wish but I suppose quality takes time. I want to make sure any new custom dies I offer in near future will be the best quality I can offer. Thanks for everyones help and patience for anyone that maybe interested in getting a set ASAP. LIke all my dies I will not offer them till I think they are perfect but I'm getting closer everyday :)

I hope to get out this upcoming weekend and try some of these bullets out. I think they look pretty impressive.

I'll keep you all posted.

BTSniper

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308bullets001.jpg

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308bullets008.jpg

[b2riesel]

Looking good....I bet a Giraud Meplat Kit for their Power Trimmer would have those shooting sweet.

[no34570]

Oh man,don't do this to me........................It's agony,they are so sweet!

[BT Sniper]

I hate to tease you guys like this but hopefully when I have perfected these dies and the BTSniper name is more well known you will be able to look back and see the progress that was made and the time that went into making these dies what they will be in the days, weeks, months, etc. to come!

By the way I just finished lapping/polishing this 308 die up from the .3065 it was to .3080.

Soon! :)


BTSniper

[nicholst55]

Any chance of you offering a 'fat thirty' caliber die set for the .303s and 7.65s and such?

[BT Sniper]

Any chance of you offering a 'fat thirty' caliber die set for the .303s and 7.65s and such?

OH YEAH! Anything you want.

I just made 30 perfect 175 grain .308s [smilie=w:

It has been a lot work, a lot of learning and a bit of frustration too but I can do it!

I have never used any corbin dies, just have some old SAS 30 cal dies and the SAS dies worked OK but call me partial I'm fricken thrilled with how the BTSniper dies are working out.

Little bit more fine tuning and I'll be ready! Going to make some bullets out of comercial jackets so we can get a good compare between the bullet this die makes and commercial offerings.

Looks like I should be doing some shooting this weekend! :guntootsmiley:

Swage On!

BT Sniper

[L1A1Rocker]

Is this something I could make with a RockChucker?

[BT Sniper]

Forgot to mention I seated the cores on a Lee Classic Cast Press and point formed on a RCBS Rock Chucker.

OH yeah.... another thing I didn't mention I was able to use wheel weight alloy for the cores !!! Should hold up a little better then the pure lead cores I used in previous bullets.

BT Sniper

[BT Sniper]

I was reading your mind :)

[BT Sniper]

Yes I plan to make all my dies capable of making great bullets from a decent reloading press.

BT Sniper

[MIBULLETS]

BT can you post some pictures of the dies? I am really interested in how you are using them on a reloading press. You are in territory that the Corbin brothers avoid these days. It could be a really good nitch for you.

[BT Sniper]

Same style set up as CH only better :)

I'll have some pics soon. Still finalizing design.

BTSniper

[BT Sniper]

"Good nitch" Yep that's what I'm looking for. Heck just being able to deliver dies in a decent amount of time is a nicth now days.

BT

[MIBULLETS]

"Good nitch" Yep that's what I'm looking for. Heck just being able to deliver dies in a decent amount of time is a nicth now days.

BT

You got a good point there BT!

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

Any "ballpark" figures on cost for them yet ?

Mike

[BT Sniper]

Any "ballpark" figures on cost for them yet ?

Mike

Tough to say.... more then CH but less then Corbin?????

I'm still determining just what can be done with these dies with the minimum amount of tools as possible.

I'll get back with estamates when I have a better idea.

Thanks

BT

[Liseo]

Hey BT

Any chance to make swaging dies for jacketed bullets using J4 jackets in rifle calibers?


Liseo


Brasil

[BT Sniper]

Yes my dies will work with either brass cases or commercial jackets. I don't have to many commercial jackets but the only difference would be the inside diameter and the punch to seat the core with.

[buck1]

What mold did you use for cores?

[BT Sniper]

I drilled a blank Lee 6 cavity mold with .240ish diameter holes. Not sure this is the best size or not as it is all a bit experimental still.

I am looking into offering or finding the necessary core molds for any of my custom swage dies that may need a core that is not avialble form a all ready existing commercial cast boolit mold.

BT

[BT Sniper]

some more pics of my progress

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s003.jpg

my 175 5.7x308 next to a Sierra 180 grain prohunter



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s001.jpg

Cross section of a 175 grain from 5.7 brass next to a 140 grain from 9mm brass!




http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s005.jpg

lined up ready to load!


Hope to get out this weekend and try them out.

I'll keep you all posted.

BTSniper

[Mustangpalmer1911]

Well this thread has officaly go me interested in swaging!

[BT Sniper]

Made some bullets from these custom dies last night from comercial jackets.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s007.jpg

176 grains with the brass and 173 with the commercial jackets. My core mold was to big for the commercial jackets so I melted and bonded the core to the jacket. Should make for interesting recovered bullet possiblity. I hope to get out this weekend and shoot a few of these.

I plan to test these two bullets against each other and use a commercial bullet as well to see what kind of groups I can get out of them. I have a stock Savage 112 BVSS in 300WM for my test platform. Should be fun!

BTSniper

[BT Sniper]

The speckeled or frosted look of the tip of the brass bullets is from me over cooking the brass in the anneal stage. Other then that I think I got a winner here :)

The copper jackets are a bit thinker then the brass and formed up nicly as well.

BT

[buck1]

Call me strange ,but I like the brass ones better! I have been looking at these case jackets so much that the copper ones look strange!

[BT Sniper]

I too like the look of the brass bullet and it looks even better when it is loaded in a brass case. I had to show that commercial jackets can be used in my dies as well as brass. Also needed another test variable to test these dies and bullets they make reguarding possible accracy differences between the brass and commercial jackets.

By the way I am planing to offer some 475 die for you very soon. The one I sent off to heat treat was .002 to big to start with. It did not shrink in heat treat (which is a good thing to know for future) so I'll be making you another one.

Thanks

BT

[Liseo]

I am anxious to see the test for accuracy with commercial jackets .
Show as many groups as possible:D

[MIBULLETS]

Looks good! Out of curiosity, what comercial jackets did you use?

[BT Sniper]

They where given to me years ago. I want to say they where seirra. I can tell you the length and weight but might not know much more.

[BT Sniper]

Here you go guys. Best group of the day for me. It's a bit late right now today. I'll post all details about my range trip later.

110 yrds! 176 grain brass jacket bullet, 300WM, 72.5 grains RL22 powder

5 shot group .885!

AWESOME!

Good shooting and Swage On!

BT

p.s. Pictures are all uploaded to my photobucket account. It will take me a while to edit them and post here but I'll get to it ASAP! Here is link to all my pics. http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s018.jpg

[gvanzeggelaar]

This is impressive. Are you going to be selling some jacket making dies and swage dies for 308?

[BT Sniper]

This was the proof I need to varrify the potential of these dies and the bullets they make. With results like this I will have no problem offering these dies for sale. I will be posting pics of everything I used to make these bullets and putting together an offer to make avialble for anyone that may be interested in making their own 308 bullets.

Yes I was able to make these bullets using a decent reloading press. There is not even as much pressure used making these 308s as there is making my 40 cal one step bullets and severial here are sucessfully making these bullets and larger.

By the way, the commercial jackets shot well too. I had a 4 shot group less then .75 (first three went .33) and got excited and pulled the 5th shot. Shooting 5 shot groups when the first 3 go under a 1/2" is a bit tough to control your excitement.

BT

[Liseo]

BT


I sent you a PM

[b2riesel]

He is most likely really busy machining some dies. I imagine his PM Inbox is really full and it may take a while for him to get back to several of us. Brian is quickly finding out the crush of having a successful product. I just hope he embraces it and loves what he does.

[BT Sniper]

Yes inbox is pretty full and I have a few messages I need to get back to. It is a good time for sure making these dies and seeing the results you guys are getting with them.

Plan is to try and keep up with demand while providing quality dies that are easy to use and make great bullets. These 308s certainly look like a good start.

I need some final tuning of the dies and the extra tools needed to properly make these bullets and soon as I get them perfect and have a few sets of dies in hand I'll post an offer to the many :) I'll post plenty of pics of the dies and tools required.

More to come!

BT

[buck1]

""By the way I am planing to offer some 475 die for you very soon. The one I sent off to heat treat was .002 to big to start with. It did not shrink in heat treat (which is a good thing to know for future) so I'll be making you another one.""


BT that is AWSOME!!! :bigsmyl2: [smilie=p:

Keep us posted on how the .308 from 9mm do. ...Buck

[BT Sniper]

"Keep us posted on how the .308 from 9mm do. ...Buck"

Will Do!

[Radio Flyer]

BT when you have or are going to have a set of draw dies to take 9mm down to jacket size for .308 please let us all know...

I would be up for a set myself as I have Corbin’s set to make .357/.355 jackets from sheet copper and then to draw them down to .308 jackets would make me fully self sufficient as far as jackets.

[Hickory]

I need more money.

[BT Sniper]

Complete results from weekend at range with new custom bullet from BTSniper custom dies!


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s010-1-1.jpg
Test platform! I just noticed of all the stickers on the rest the most important one is missing! I'll be sure to get a few BTSniper stickers on there ASAP.



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s011-1.jpg
loaded and ready!




http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s028.jpg
Recovered bullets from brass jacket that started at 176 grains and all ended up at 101-105 grians.




PICTURES ARE POSTED IN ORDER THEY WHERE FIRED

Test Components

-Stock Savage BVSS 112 300WM with 50 rounds threw it. 26" long barrel will generate higher FPS then standard 24" barrel length of typical 300WMs
-Sorted federal brass all prepped (everything short of turning the neck) and trimmed to be equal.
-Fed GM215M primer
-OAL 3.34
-COL 2.61
-RL-22 powder
-Bullets made from my custom dies with both commercial jackets at 172 grains and sized FN 5.7x28 cases for jackets in a 176 grain .308 bullet.

All reloading precautions and warnings apply to posted data!



1.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s022.jpg
Here was the first four shots of the day. Call them fouling shots, getting refimilar with gun, or just warming up. Results are from the 180 grain sierra prohunter pushed with 75 grain of RL-22. THink it shows the custom made bullets are potentially just as good as factory.
FPS was 3019, 3046, 3039, 3036



2.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s019.jpg
First group of custom brass jacketd bullets pushed from 70 grains of RL-22
FPS was 2853, 2857, 2892, 2876, 2880




3.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s023.jpg
Results with comercial jacket and 72 grians of RL-22. Notice first three shoots went .3 then I got excited. 4th shot went a little high and 5th shot was pulled low. Must have been a defective bullet on that 5th one
FPS was 2977, 2927, 2922, 2910, 2928




4.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s018.jpg
best group of the day .885"! 72.5 grains of RL-22 pushing my custom brass jacket 176 grain 308 bullet.
FPS was 3030, 3070, 2993, 3029, 3004




5.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s024.jpg
Target from comercial jacket pushed with 74 grains RL-22 This group I felt good about the shots at the break of the trigger but seemed like the combination was not favorable for accuracy. Goes to show that a couple grains of powder does make a difference. That 72 grain load with the commercial jackets certainly looks like it deserves another look.
FPS was 3103, 3073, 3061, 3073, 3038





6.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s025.jpg
taget from brass jacket pushed with 75 grains of RL-22
FPS was 3161, 3149, 3127, 3153, 3116




7.http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s021.jpg
Last group of the day. Again first three shots where tight and pulled the last two. Commercial jacket pushed with 76 grains of RL-22
FPS first shot ????, 3199, 3204, 3157 3153


I did not clean barrel for entire shooting section of 34 rounds fired. Barrel was never too hot to not hold on to. After a few shots with these custom bullets I had good confidence in their ability and flet like some of the larger groups could have been shooter error.

Some food for thought and somthing I need to test a bit more but it seems, everythign being equal, the brass jacketed bullets are faster then commercial guilding metal jackets! I'll have to test this theory a bit more but looks like maybe 50-100 fps and this is with a bullet that is 4 grain heavier. Well again I'll do some testing.

Next to test would be lighter bullets or longer range shooting but for teh purpose of proving these dies and bullets I think we have a winner here.

Good shooting guys!

Swage On!

BTSniper

[Storydude]

Put me down for a set when they are done. YOu know I'm good for it! :drinks:

My new beltfed is killing me on projectile costs.

[BT Sniper]

Official offer for preorder list is coming soon. I"m getting everything in line and things are looking good.

Thanks

BT

[Silicon Wolverine]

ill be in for a set.

what do you think about using size dies for cast bullets to draw down the 9mm case for a 30 cal jacket?

SW

[BT Sniper]

ill be in for a set.

what do you think about using size dies for cast bullets to draw down the 9mm case for a 30 cal jacket?

SW


As in Lee sizing dies? maybe???? I have notice for some reason the lee dies tend to scratch the cases more then anythign else I have tried. I do plan to include a simple, quality sizing die for reducing 5.7 brass with the 308 set and will put together some more to offer in other various sizes too. Sizing the 9mm all the way to 308 is somthing I myself have not acomplished yet. The samples where given to me from the testing stages of an air driven press I have coming.

Now that hydrolic press you built there SW may be just the thing to reduce cases with. I don't know?

I finally finished the range report post with all the data. These bullets certainly have some potential.

BTSniper

[Radio Flyer]

Sizing the 9mm all the way to 308 is somthing I myself have not acomplished yet. The samples where given to me from the testing stages of an air driven press I have coming.

Now that hydrolic press you built there SW may be just the thing to reduce cases with. I don't know?

I finally finished the range report post with all the data. These bullets certainly have some potential.

BTSniper

Does this translate to:

I (as in you BT) am going to develop a set of progressive dies in ever smaller diameter to take 9mm down to .308 or that you are going to only have a single die for a “super press” or that you are considering the idea and have not figured where to go with it?

Sounds weird but I think you get the point.

[BT Sniper]

OH it takes more then one sizing die to size a 9mm down to .308 even with power or a super press. Maybe even a reaneal inbetween. Yes I would say atleast 3 die steps, .345 then ??? and finally a .303ish die.

Yes I can put together a set of dies and I shall have to see how well they work first before I can officially offer any.

Officially I (me personaly) have not taken a 9mm smaller then .345 but that was on a Lee classic press.

Again the samples I posted pics of was given to me by the gentlemen building the air driven press for me.

All the target pics posted where from 5.7x28 brass.

This airdriven press looks to operate very well and I may just consider offering reduced jackets ready to swage (RTS).

I'll certainly keep everyone posted as to my results and any offers I plan to make. Personally I think it is a bit of work to try with a standard reloading press to use a 9mm in a 308, maybe in a super press but with the 5.7 avialble and shooting less then 1 MOA it sure is a good choice for 308 jackets if you can find some.

Hope they may have cleared it up a bit. I will have to experiment a bit first and let you guys know my results in this project.


BTSniper

[BwBrown]

BT,

5/16" od soft copper tubing is .3125

Seems like a likely and readily available jacket material, and a bit less cumbersome than three complete drawing dies. I'm not the die maker, but a single sizing die could go down to .306 or so, and close the base?

A smaller size (but more costly) brass tubing could be obtained in short lengths (12" and up) at a hobby/craft store. My choice would be the soft copper from a plumbing supply.
Bob

[bohica2xo]

I make jackets from tube. You still need 3 dies & precision punches.

First die closes the end of the tube to a conical point.

Second die reduces the diameter of the tube

Third die flattens the end of the jacket.


The punches are very precise, and need to be matched to the tubing you will be using. The cut length of the tubing is very important, so you will need a precision saw to cut tubes, Coiled refrigeration tube is not straight enough, and will need to be straightened first.

Cumbersome? very, compared to a reduced pistol case.

Tubing Jacket Tutorial (http://www.corbins.com/tubing.htm)

B.

[Utah Shooter]

Ok so I am just getting into this world of fun. So I am unsure what all has been posted. I read through this thread and am curious if you make dies for the .224? Maybe I should pm but I read you had a bunch in there already.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

utah,
I'm sure, BT will respond to you ASAP.
He hasn't offered any .224 dies as of yet,
I'm think he has plans to ???

But, If your looking for general info about .224 swaging
You should probably start a new thread.
are you thinking of using fired 22lr cases as jackets ?
there are lots of guys here that are doing that.
some have even made there own dies.
Jon

[Utah Shooter]

Yeah I have been looking into it a bit. I do have have the jacket uniforming die already. just curious about the others dies.

[BwBrown]

I make jackets from tube. You still need 3 dies & precision punches.

First die closes the end of the tube to a conical point.

Second die reduces the diameter of the tube

Third die flattens the end of the jacket.


The punches are very precise, and need to be matched to the tubing you will be using. The cut length of the tubing is very important, so you will need a precision saw to cut tubes, Coiled refrigeration tube is not straight enough, and will need to be straightened first.

Cumbersome? very, compared to a reduced pistol case.

Tubing Jacket Tutorial (http://www.corbins.com/tubing.htm)

B.


Thanks for the clarification. I have yet to venture into the world of tubing jackets. But I figure, "Why not? I'm saving so much money now I'm ready to retire!!!" [smilie=1:

It IS fun though!
Bob

[BT Sniper]

Ok so I am just getting into this world of fun. So I am unsure what all has been posted. I read through this thread and am curious if you make dies for the .224? Maybe I should pm but I read you had a bunch in there already.


Still in R&D with the 224. I do have a custom reamer on the way so progress will begine soon with the 224s

Thanks

BTSniper

[Silicon Wolverine]

As in Lee sizing dies? maybe???? I have notice for some reason the lee dies tend to scratch the cases more then anythign else I have tried. I do plan to include a simple, quality sizing die for reducing 5.7 brass with the 308 set and will put together some more to offer in other various sizes too. Sizing the 9mm all the way to 308 is somthing I myself have not acomplished yet. The samples where given to me from the testing stages of an air driven press I have coming.

Now that hydrolic press you built there SW may be just the thing to reduce cases with. I don't know?

I finally finished the range report post with all the data. These bullets certainly have some potential.

BTSniper

im gonna order one and try it. the lee size dies are on sale at midway for 15$. i might have to open up the mouth a little on teh lathe to make it fit, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

SW

[Silicon Wolverine]

another thought i had was using 223 brass. alot easier to find that 5.7 and you could trim to legnth for whatever bullet weight you wanted.

SW

[BT Sniper]

BEST GROUP I EVER SHOT @ 100 YRDS!

Just got back from a day of shooting in Eastern Oregon. Stopped at the local range first with my dad to check zeros before heading to ground squirrel and rock chuck fields.

Night before I had loaded up 50 of my custom 308 bullets made from FN5.7 brass cases all weight adjusted for 176 grains. I was running short on time so I set the powder dispencer to throw my proven load of 72.5 grains of RL-22 and after checking only about 5 of the powder charges for accuracy I finished off the rest staight into the case. Point being I was able to shoot the group below without even measuring each and every powder charge to the "exact" tenth of a grain.

These where the first three shots of the day out of my 300WM Savage 112BVSS. Amazing what a real shooting bench/table is capable of vs. me shooting off a folding table in the woods.

Three shot group measure .523" from outside to outside. So .523 - .308 = .215" group center to center!

This is the best 3 shot group I have ever shot from any rifle at any distance. I am able to get consistant 3 shot groups in the .3s with my 338 RUM and 300grain SMKs but this is my first group in the .2s Pretty awesome considering it was with my custom bullets made from my custom dies!



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050132.jpg



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050077-1.jpg


I did score a good sized chuck at a little over 100 yrds off hand with this bullet. Blew him over twenty feet into the air and the carnage was pretty gruesome! Also shot quite a few little ground squirells with it too but wasn't mush left of them to confirm :) I did see a couple pretty good explosions though.

Good shooting and Swage On!

BTSniper

[no34570]

:awesome:
Now the wait for some.366 dies begins :):)

[BT Sniper]

Yep! I'm on it!

[BT Sniper]

Made 200 bullets this morning. Die is working great. Check out the video and pics.
Click on video to play.

BT

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/th_P1050240.jpg (http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/?action=view&current=P1050240.mp4)

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050247.jpg

[Armorer]

Awesome! I am definitely going to have to have a set of these!

Armorer

[Mountain Prepper]

some more pics of my progress

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s003.jpg

my 175 5.7x308 next to a Sierra 180 grain prohunter



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s001.jpg

Cross section of a 175 grain from 5.7 brass next to a 140 grain from 9mm brass!




http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s005.jpg

lined up ready to load!


Hope to get out this weekend and try them out.

I'll keep you all posted.

BTSniper

Any more thoughts or news on the 9mm brass to .308 jackets?

[BT Sniper]

Have not shot any yet. I will need to make a few more first. So many projects.........


BT

[bohica2xo]

BT:

It looks like that 9mm jacket will go to 147 grains.

There are a lot of 308 rifles out there - and a lot of 9mm trash on the ground at most ranges...

Get that one going & you will be really busy!

B.

[rays308]

Deffinately got my interest up.

I started a couple reducers for 223 to 308.
358
328
Gotta do the 312 and 305 yet
Loving the results so far.

BT,

Do you have a 308 swaging die available?

[Armorer]

BT:

It looks like that 9mm jacket will go to 147 grains.

There are a lot of 308 rifles out there - and a lot of 9mm trash on the ground at most ranges...

Get that one going & you will be really busy!

B.

+1 on that. That would definitely be on my "can't live without it" list. It's just too expensive to put too many rounds down range with my LRTAC-20. If I could make my own from old 9mm rounds I'd be in hog heaven.

Armorer

[BT Sniper]

Well OK then, sounds good. I'll put a few together and see what I can come up with for the 9mmx308s. Those things are going to scream out of my 300WM. I'm guessing about 3300-3400fps or more :)

BT

[BwBrown]

BT,
We talked of this awhile back, just wanted to be sure I'm somewhere on your 9mm-308 list.

Or is there a tubing jacket die set on the horizon?
Bob

[BT Sniper]

With a strong press, such as the Corbin or the CB (we need to name Aneat's press here), sizing the 9mm down should not be a problem in a couple steps. In a standard reloading press it may take up to three passes in sizing dies to get the 9mm down to .302ish.

I also have some 5/16" copper tubing enroute to play with. We shall see about the copper tubing die.

The more I experiment and learn from making dies the more it seems I may want to focus the majority of my efforts to perfecty just a select few to start with and add more calibers later on. The 40 cal and this 308 is obviously two calibers I have had a lot of sucess with. These two calibers will most likly be my first offerings.

I am more then 4 weeks now into the 3-6 week lead time I was qouted from the outfit I have making my custom 40 cal reamer. Based on the sucess of this 40 cal reamer will determin if there needs to be any final adjustments made to the design of the 308 reamer that will surly follow.

Also as my little girls are getting older they will be starting school this fall that will allow me more time to focus on the production of these dies and furthering the succes of this business venture. Till then I spend what free time I can on making dies but i certainly try to enjoy as much time spent with my girls before they get older and off to school.

I'll certainly keep everyone posted on my progress.

Good shooting

BT

[BT Sniper]

I figure for my first 9mm to 308 bullets I'll obvioulsy have them in the 140-150grain range and figure I'll bond the core to the jacket. See if we can retain a bit more weight. Being that the 9mm allready weighs 60 grains and figure if I can retain atleast half of the lead that would be about 120 grain recovered weight???? Well we shall see. I have yet to recover more then 110 grains even from the 180 grain 308s made from 5.7 brass but ofcourse I am lauching them over 3000 FPS. I suspect the 9mm will have a bit more strength in the jacket compared to the 5.7 and ofcourse if they where slowed down to a few of the other 30 cal velocites I bet the bullet will perform even better. We shall see.

BT

[runfiverun]

putting in a mechanical lock like a canellure, or tubing cutter under a canellure roll will help.
as will keeping the velocities down.
if you run a hornady interlock at @ 2800 fps or below it behaves itself.
penetrating better and retaining more weight.

brian:
i am very interested in a 308 die set and would also like one opened to 3115-312.
and a flat point for the 30-30.

[rugerglocker]

Brian, I was wondering if you offer the sizing dies yourself or if you could recommend someone? For now I'm hoping to size 9mm or .223 down to make .357 bullets, and later down the line down to .308s maybe.

I was also wondering if you still soup-up the CH4D dies, as I should have a used set coming in the mail in the next few days.

I tried to PM you, don't know if it went through, you can PM me the answer if you'd like since its slightly off topic. Thanks

[BT Sniper]

Yes I still offer improved interinal components for the CH dies. I don't know of anyone offering the reducing dies yet. I have ideas and just need to track down materials.

The 357s are good for making bullets from the 223 or 9mm. Sizing the 223 down is able to be done with one die. Sizing the 9mm down to .350ish in one step is possible on a standard reloading press but not much fun. Would be better in two steps.

Just let me know what caliber dies you want to imrove and I'll be happy to help.

BT

p.s. yes got the pm. I'm behind again :)

[BT Sniper]

Just did a little experiment with reshaping commercial bullets in my dies. I was pretty pleased with the results.

Posted pics in another thread but thought I would post them here too.

A standard 175 grain SMK on the left and reswaged in my die showing results on right. Notice the new flat base. Granted I would not normally reshape a quality bullet like a SMK but maybe other cheap bullets that may need a facelift :)

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050489.jpg


Swage On!

BTSniper

[lgvenable]

hey bt i left you a pm or 2 can you shoot me a reply?
Larry

[Mountain Prepper]

I figure for my first 9mm to 308 bullets I'll obvioulsy have them in the 140-150grain range and figure I'll bond the core to the jacket. See if we can retain a bit more weight. Being that the 9mm allready weighs 60 grains and figure if I can retain atleast half of the lead that would be about 120 grain recovered weight???? Well we shall see. I have yet to recover more then 110 grains even from the 180 grain 308s made from 5.7 brass but ofcourse I am lauching them over 3000 FPS. I suspect the 9mm will have a bit more strength in the jacket compared to the 5.7 and ofcourse if they where slowed down to a few of the other 30 cal velocites I bet the bullet will perform even better. We shall see.

BT


Two ideas or options.

You offer a service where you take 9mm brass sized to make 308 bullets.

You offer a set of dies that will slowly take 9mm down to 308...

Let us know what you think and if you do offer a product let us know...

You already see the excitement about new die makers here on the boards...

[BT Sniper]

Yes I have considered offering RTS (ready to swage) jackets and may be in the process now. Also looking into sizing dies to offer. Just a matter of time and my lack of it at the moment.

BTSniper

[gew98]

You have my interest as well. I would love to be able to utilize the 9mm brass to make .308 bullets for to feed my .308 calibers. Is there that much 5,7 brass available for the swage process ?. I am aware FN does not recommend reloading for their 5,7 pistols.
I wonder what 7,62x25 brass would do with your process - 220 grain .308's ?. Maybe a pictorial frame by frame and posted here of each die and the product of each one pictured with it at it's step. I remember years ago CH offered the kit to make .223 bullets from 22 rimfire brass. Being able to make .308 , .303 and 8mm bullets would be awesome and save a huge chunk of my wallet.... and nothing wasted !.

[gew98]

Oh on a sidenote I had one of the CH cannelure tools I bought back in the late 80's. It did not do so well as something was offset or out of round as it often caused bullets to climb and or crooked looking cannelures. Have they improved on that or does someone make something better ?.

[gew98]

another thought i had was using 223 brass. alot easier to find that 5.7 and you could trim to legnth for whatever bullet weight you wanted.

SW

What are the thoughts on 7,62x25 and .30 carbine on this process ?.

[truckjohn]

Just did a little experiment with reshaping commercial bullets in my dies. I was pretty pleased with the results.

Posted pics in another thread but thought I would post them here too.

A standard 175 grain SMK on the left and reswaged in my die showing results on right. Notice the new flat base. Granted I would not normally reshape a quality bullet like a SMK but maybe other cheap bullets that may need a facelift :)

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050489.jpg


Swage On!

BTSniper

Yep - that's the one I want.... to take a 308 SMK and bump it up to 0.313" or 0.314".....

Thanks

[BT Sniper]

As it turns out I just machined a 308 die today. It got a little big and it so happens I lapped it up to .313 :)

I need to check on it's possiblities first but I bumped up a couple 30 cal Sierras today to 313 and it looks pretty good!

BT

[truckjohn]

Shoot me a pm. I got a couple rifles that need a 313...

Thanks

[BT Sniper]

IT IS TIME!

I have spent a great deal of time and effort perfecting these dies and my skills used in making them as well as testing the bullets they produce. I feel I have now reached a degree of perfection that I will be very proud to offer for sale.

I am starting a preorder list so all of you may post your interest as well as post any questions you may have.

I have finalized the designs and have began production. I personally worked out all the details of these dies and their design ahead of time using computer aided AUTOCAD programs and again I am very pleased with the results. I have built and designed these dies to be as user friendly as possible, still they are an advanced set of dies. Making quality rifle bullets requires a quality set of dies. I am positive anyone will be able to master the use of this great set of dies. Matter of fact I will make sure your learning curve as easy as possible by providing a DVD set of instructions. Follow my guidelines with the recommended components and you will easily be able to produce a life time supply of quality bullets.

What I have to offer is a 3 die set including point and core seating dies as well as a jacket reducing/sizing die to size down either FN5.7 brass or 5/16" copper tubing jackets (soon to be available). The point and core seating die is made from quality heat treated 4140 tool steel to ensure long life. The sizing die is also made from quality steel with hardened tool steel bushings that give a great smooth finish to the jacket being reduced.

These dies are threaded for 7/8-14 and will work in any "decent" reloading press. Base punches will be offered for both 1/2-20 threaded rams and standard shell holder rams. I will also offer an automatic ejector (new ram top will be included for those using the Lee Classic Cast Press) with the set of dies as it is highly recommended for the proper ejection of the bullet from the die.

The bullet profile is a 7.5 ogive with a .093 diameter meplat nose. I actually fdid a rough figure on the BC potential and will get back to you all on this data. The bullet and dies will be of exactly the same proven design and profile I have posted my previous success with. Here is the link to my progress involved in the testing of these dies I have to offer. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=109892

The dies will allow for a jacket length up to at least 1.5" long and the point forming die has 2" of room availble to form any bullet weight imaginable, within reason for a 30 cal of course. Certainly anything from 100-250 grains is possible. Myself, I like the 176 grain bullets made from FN5.7x28 brass.



I have enough materials on hand for at least 50 sets and hope to have first 10 orders ready to ship possibly by July or in the month there of. As is the case with all my products I have to offer I will always error on the side of quality should there be any delays. I have sold several sets of dies on this sight with very positive feed backs. Now that I can control every aspect of these custom BTSniper dies I am very pleased with the results and quality.

Please feel free to post your intrest and any questions you may have. I may consider a discount to the first few customers on this one too but I'll post those details in the final offer thread.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Good shooting, thanks for your support and as always Swage On!

Brian


Here are a few pics of what I have to offer.


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/257coppertubejacket014.jpg
This is the 257 set I offered with the copper tubing jacket upgrades. It is the exact same design and look of dies you can expect in this 308 offer. Sizing die not pictured yet.


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050132.jpg
Bullet is capible of great accuracy with proper load development when shot from a capible shooting platform and dependent on shooter skills of course.


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s007.jpg


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s018.jpg


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/308s028.jpg


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050247.jpg


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/pressupgrade002.jpg
Ejector as well as new dedicated swaging ram top for the lee Classic will be offered. A universial ejector will also be offered to fit any other press such as the RCBS Rock Chucker but a dedicated ram for presses other then the Lee Classic will be extra.

[BwBrown]

BT,
I am so pleased with the.257 set, I already put my hat in the ring for a set on your other .308 thread. Either sizing down 9mm cases, or using 5/16 tubing - preferably both.

Keep up the good work - just don't go at it so hard and heavy that you burn yourself out.
Bob

[BT Sniper]

Thanks Bob. Future sets will be even better and yours is top notch for sure. I'm putting together a list of items I have to offer and I look foward to many great products to come.

No don't want to burn out and maybe initial wait times maybe a couple months but it is time for me to jump in with both feat. Got to pay the bills like everyone else.

I expect a copper tubing die for the 308s will be in the future very soon :) Working on it right now as a matter of fact. Sizing dies are also in the works.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Brian

[Mountain Prepper]

Sizing dies are also in the works.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Brian

Yea....
[smilie=w:
[smilie=w:

If any of you wondered, all new things in the swaging market are about to break out now...

This is the best news in a long time.

Several people and several projects, good news for swaging no doubt.

[michiganvet]

BT, is there a bushing available to reduce the 1" tapping in my CHP-1 to 1/2" x 20?

[BT Sniper]

Shot the Savage 112 BVSS 300wm yesterday. Been a while since I took her out. Got the same great results as the last time I shot the .215 group.

I put a new stock on her, slimed her down a bit and shed a bit of weight. All the better to hunt with.

I was shooting my 176.5 grain bullets made from FN 5.7 x28 brass. As before these bullets are capible of very tight groups. It may take a bit of load developement to get the best groups of course.

I don't know if it was me setteling down and getting reaquainted with her or if she needed to settle down a bit but the groups got tighter after I had shot 10 rounds threw the clean barrel.


73.0 grains of RL-22 with a OAL of 3.400 went .220 MOA for me at 120 yrds. This was shots #13-16.

Shots #4-6 went .6 moa with this same load.

to campare and possibly show her prefrence for the perfect load

71.5 grains of RL-22 with OAL of 3.34 went over 2" for me at the same distance. These where shots # 7-12


Here is some pics

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1070997take2.jpg


http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1070996tae2.jpg



shots #4-6 .75" at 120 yrds! with teh 73 grain load and 3.4" OAL
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1080003tk2.jpg


Shots #7-12 with 71.5 grain load at 3.34" OAL Not nearly as good!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1080002tk2.jpg



and now for my group of the day! Shots #13-16. I was aiming at the intersection of the #5 line. I put the first two shots in the same hole a little low and right. Then I got excited, heart rate went up as I imagined the third shot in the same hole so of course I pushed the shot high left. Kind of pissed me off so I fired the forth shot right where it should have been on top of the first two shots. As you can see, when we do our part behind the trigger and find the right load these bullets will shoot very well.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1080001.jpg



Good shooting and swage on!

Brian

[Twmaster]

Brian,

On your 5.7 cased boolits do you expand the mouth of the case so you have essentially a straight wall case before you seat the core?

Thanks.

[DukeInFlorida]

Yes, I have been prepping 5.7X28 FN brass for a while now, waiting for my dies to arrive.

Don't forget that the 5.7 cases are coated with a plastic coating (makes it easier to extract from the pistols they were designed for). That plastic coating needs to get removed.
So, immediately after expanding the case mouth (making it a straight wall), I do my first full anneal in my Lee 20 pound casting pot (which is only ever used for annealing brass, it has never seen lead). The plastic coating burns off to a white ash. They get dropped into a Lemishine bath, and then bright tumbled in SS pin cycle. You don't want to go too fast with the annealing cycle.


Brian,

On your 5.7 cased boolits do you expand the mouth of the case so you have essentially a straight wall case before you seat the core?

Thanks.

[BT Sniper]

Yep! As Duke described, expand neck, anneal then clean.

[Twmaster]

Thanks guys. Duke, I especially like the tip for annealing in a lead pot. How long do you leave the brass in the pot and at what setting?

[DukeInFlorida]

I crank the controller on the pot to the MAX setting, and leave the brass in there for about 10 minutes. Just long enough so that the brass glows the same red color that the pot glows. Be mindful that only the lower 1/3 of the pot has the coils around it, so that's all that gets hot enough to anneal the brass. Unlike steel, brass is annealed as soon as it achieves temperature. I use a piece of sheet steel as the cover, to keep the heat inside the pot.

When the brass comes out of the pot, it gets dumped immediately, and directly, into a bath of warm Lemishine solution.

BTW, FULL credit for the Lee pot for annealing goes to Brian Thurner! It was not my idea, it was his. And, it works very well.

[Twmaster]

Awesome! Thanks again! That beats the snot out of the other means of annealing I was looking at.

[BT Sniper]

I'm not even sure is was my idea but it does work well.

BT

[newcastter]

Fyi

i use the lee 20 lb lead dipper pot to anneal my brass for making slugs. I fill it all the way up, put a double layer of alumium foil on top, turn it to 8 on the dial and wait for 1 hour. I have a dial temp gage into the center of the pot and it shows over 850 degrees f. The 22 cases i do it it comes out great/soft.


a note on annealing 22lr jackets. I have an old 4# lee pot i got in a garage sale, never figured out what to do with it. It makes a perfect kiln for doing 100+ jackets @ a time. Dump them in, crank it to #6, cover w/ heavy tin foil or a ceramic tile & stir once after 5m. Let them go another 5 & turn it off. They come out quite soft & ready for ss pin cleaning & when bt gets me the rest of the dies, i'll be makin bullets.



ok! I had been saying it for a while but today i finally tried it and i must say it worked pretty darn good. Using the lee #20 lead pot to anneal brass in. I used a new pot that can be found and keep it sepperate from any melted lead.

It is quick! Faster then anythign else i have tried yet and cheap! Only takes elc. I let them soak for maybe 20 minutes and wow! That was too much! Things where glowing! Probably only needed 5-10 minutes max or possibly less. I was able to anneal probably 4-500 24 cal jackets at one time. Quick, perfect and awesome!

Give it a try if you haven't all ready, just make sure you use a clean pot.

Good shooting

brian
...

[newcastter]

BTW, FULL credit for the Lee pot for annealing goes to Brian Thurner! It was not my idea, it was his. And, it works very well.
Duke, that couldn't be any further from the truth, this one is very simple to follow just read the Annealing Sticky.

[DukeInFlorida]

OK, but.....

Here's the thing... I don't want people attributing the idea to me.

I got the idea directly from Brian. I had no idea where he got it from.

I shall go back, and immediately begin to MEMORIZE every part of the internet.

Thanks for setting us straight. When this question comes up next week again (and you know it will), I will send them to you for the genealogy lesson.

Thanks.

[newcastter]

No problem.

[Cane_man]

in think Lafaun started doing this annealing in the Lee 4-20 and shared it here on CB with us, if i remember the archives correctly!

[Cane_man]

didn't see that New, sorry about that

[newcastter]

didn't see that New, sorry about that
No thats cool, giving credit where it is due, all for it, Lafaun has helped alot on this forum too.

[Twmaster]

What size (diameter) punch are you guys using to open the neck on the 5.7FN brass?

[Twmaster]

What size (diameter) punch are you guys using to open the neck on the 5.7FN brass?

Anybody? What size are you using?

[runfiverun]

a spud that allows from 302 to 306
you gotta open it anyway to get the core in.

[BT Sniper]

After several years in the making I have taken all I have learned and applied it to my latest batch of 30 cal dies. I am happy to say that I am right now machining several sets of 30 cal dies and the results are turning out very good. I'll have my next 12 or more die sets heading to heat treat in my next batch I send. When? Very soon. Within a few weeks I hope to send them in to be heat treated then send off to be nitride processed.

BT

[woody13]

Are these dies still at the original price or are they off of another one. Thanks BT

[BT Sniper]

I have established prices for 2014. You can view all my current prices in link posted below. I am offering a 10% sale on all my products till Feb 14th.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?183513-Available-products-and-current-prices

I got 12 sets of these dies going into heat treat in less then a week.

BT

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

okay, who wants to buy the 475 or so once-fired 5,7x28 cases I have? $100 shipped in a priority box.

Rich

PM me

[BT Sniper]

Found pics to go with this thread.......

https://i.imgur.com/PS52AiNl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ubfXq5Ll.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7yV7x0dl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BgKDr3Kl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mKEusFml.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MemKhDxl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XswbpKtl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tPLJNCTl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KbR6fEwl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CwWIJ7al.jpg

[BT Sniper]

https://i.imgur.com/PTBDpKql.jpg

[BlackoutBuilder]

Are you still doing a 308 BT simple set? I am still interested.