Copper Pipe Caps

[MIBULLETS]

Has anyone here ever tried reducing copper pipe caps for jackets? Seems like it would work fine. Same as making them out of copper tubing, but the end is already closed. Just need to find them fairly cheap.

[b2riesel]

What size caps you talking about? I have some 3/8" copper caps that were about 30 cents a piece.

[Jailer]

Cheap copper. That's going to be a tough one.

[MIBULLETS]

3/8" would be Ok for jackets for .38/9mm or so at least by the ones I've seen, unless you also could draw them thiner. I think they are about .020" thick. I will probably try some 3/8" ones though. I was thinking bigger caps so they could be drawn into a longer jacket.

Copper isn't cheap I know, but within reason I guess. By the time I count up my labor and the cost of copper pipe, I probably have well over 30 cents into a jacket now.

[b2riesel]

http://www.pexsupply.com/Copper-Caps-145000 The 1/2" are on sale for 28 cents each.

[frankenfab]

I wonder if using the pipe caps would produce a bulllet that performs like the Hawk dead soft bullets? Sounds like something worth trying.

[MIBULLETS]

Hawk uses copper tubing, so I would think that the caps would be the same. They would need to be annealed so they would be nice and soft and probably expand well.

[Wayne Smith]

Remember they work harden. Once you are done making the bullet they are no longer annealed dead soft!

[Hardcast416taylor]

Let me get this straight.

1) Copper pipe caps
2) Cost of swage dies and press
3) Cost of lead wire and cutter and lubes
4) Time expended and frustrations

Where is the cost savings over buying factory jacketed bullets?Robert:confused:

[ANeat]

Where is the cost savings over buying factory jacketed bullets?Robert:confused:


Sometimes folks do stuff for the enjoyment of it. If you looked at everything from a "cost savings" view you sure wouldnt be shooting

If "frustration" comes into play, yes, just go buy some factory bullets. A lot like casting, it helps if you enjoy the process.


Now as for the pipe caps, if youre buying some of the less popular calibers, say .423 diameter, then those are a buck a piece and up for jacketed...

You may save a little, but you will certainly get much more satisfaction out of the process if you are so inclined

[MIBULLETS]

That's right. Plus if you want to be somewhat self sufficient and not depend on the large manufactures for your components.

I already have the tools to do the work except maybe one larger reducing die. It can make things much better for larger calibers specifically where no one offers "good" if any jackets of the correct size as Aneat said.

[jixxerbill]

Let me get this straight.

1) Copper pipe caps
2) Cost of swage dies and press
3) Cost of lead wire and cutter and lubes
4) Time expended and frustrations

Where is the cost savings over buying factory jacketed bullets?Robert:confused:

what if you pistol dont like the bullets you bought ?? then you buy more and again your pistol dont like them , or you want it to shoot a little tighter.... but u have purchased every make and weight of bullet there is... it still wont shoot as good as your friends does....well if you had a swaging set-up you could really fine tune them to your pistol...want a lighter bullet no problem just add a turn or two to the squirt die...want a shorter jacket ...no problem cut the jackets a little shorter....just my .02....bill

[johnly]

I picked some up to make 1/2 jacket bullets for my 20 bore, but never got around to machining the dies.

John

[Wayne Smith]

Let me get this straight.

1) Copper pipe caps
2) Cost of swage dies and press
3) Cost of lead wire and cutter and lubes
4) Time expended and frustrations

Where is the cost savings over buying factory jacketed bullets?Robert:confused:

Ten or twenty years of shooting later. Besides, you can cast your lead, you don't have to buy wire.

[frkelly74]

9mm brass is much cheaper. look at bt snipers work.

[MIBULLETS]

I've done the 9mm and 223 brass for jackets and they do work well. 223 is better in my mind. I wanted something with thicker jacket walls for a more controlled expansion for larger game. I have also made jackets from copper tubing and it works very well. I was thinking that reducing the caps was less time and labor than using the tubing, but still getting the benefits of the tubing that's all.

[45nut]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/195833_1942614412051_1443189422_32273497_6005905_n .jpg

Some pipe caps need no swaging.

[BT Sniper]

:holysheep

Heck of a round there 45nut :)

BT

[scrapcan]

I would bet the targets you shoot with it will not require knats eye accuracy either. I think Jumbo or a volkswagen have pretty good size vital zone.

I have been watching the thread and wanted to add nothing but humor.

[BwBrown]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/195833_1942614412051_1443189422_32273497_6005905_n .jpg

Some pipe caps need no swaging.

And they say size doesn't matter ?!?
I give up - his IS bigger!
Bob

[MIBULLETS]

Holy cow! What caliber is that?

[SmuvBoGa]

Got to be the rare MONGO 155 Howzer pocket pistol :kidding:

[BT Sniper]

What would the OD be on a 1/2" copper end cap? .640ish? What are some of those big double barel calibers used to shoot dump trucks and trains with LOL!

[winelover]

[QUOTE=BT Sniper;1211563]What would the OD be on a 1/2" copper end cap? .640ish? QUOTE]

Actually it's .707"

Winelover

[45nut]

.705 on that one,, not my picture, just a fan! You only think I am nuts. Well,, ok I am, but there are plenty of others that are worse,, err,, better.

[BT Sniper]

YEP! Figured it was a 1/2 end cap but 705! COOL!

BT