Wana try swaging. What to get?

[A pause for the COZ]

I think I would like to try this. At this point though I would be so afraid to buy any thing because I have no clue what dies are needed to do what.

I would like some thing that could be used in my Rock Chucker.
To do a basic 150gr 30 cal jacketed bullet.
Any help?Or is that a bad idea?

[Sasquatch-1]

I think I would like to try this. At this point though I would be so afraid to buy any thing because I have no clue what dies are needed to do what.

I would like some thing that could be used in my Rock Chucker.
To do a basic 150gr 30 cal jacketed bullet.
Any help?Or is that a bad idea?

Get ready to spend some money. If you were going to be loading for pistol I would suggest one of the single die semi wadcutter dies. I do not swage for rifle so I really can't say what you need.

I got a three die Dave Corbin set of dies for about 2/3s the normal cost by watching the classified section on his web site. There are several altenatives to Dave, who seems to be the most exspensive manufaturer out there. Many of which literally take years to get.

There is Richard Corbin, RCE (Daves brother).

Dr. Blackmon, who you will have to get the information from someone who has delt with him.

BTSniper on this site.

And others.

[Lizard333]

For starting out look at the sticky on top about BT's Dies. Hes one of us. His dies are designed fro use in standard reloading presses. I have a set of his dies to use making 44 Cal out of 40 SW brass. Must say, SWEET.

Read that sticky, and any other info. I didn't pull the trigger until I got an invite from Blaster62, to come over to his place and Swage some bullets. 9 hours later, I hand a handful of the purtiest bullets i had ever seen, and a wallet that didn't know what was coming. Come to think of it, neither did my wife.

1600 bucks later and I am making same very accurate 224 bullets out of 22LR brass and commercial jackets. Is it cheap to get into, NOPE. Will you have a blast,YES. Do your research.

I went with RCE for my press and his 224 dies to make a flat base boolit. Cheaper than his brother, but every bit as good. I kinda like helping the little guy out.

I also own BT's dies in 44CAL. I have more stuff on order from him as well. Top notch guy.

I'm sure others will chime in, but bottom line. READ all you can. RCE has a lot of information on his site, so does Corbin. There is also a TON of information here, you just have to hunker down and read it.

[BT Sniper]

Swaging 30 cals is not difficult on a decent reloading press. The challange is trying to find affordable jackets. Affordable being the key word. Sierra offers jackets that are good up to 200+ grains but cost about 15 cents a piece. Not really any savings vs. buying commercial bullets there. FN 5.7x28 brass makes very good jackets for 30 cal. They can be found for less then 10 cents a piece and somtimes closer to 5 cents a piece if you are good at looking around a bit.

Here is a thread I started a while back on my progress with my 30 cal dies and the bullets performance. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=109892

For anyone interested in swaging I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone that did not enjoy making their own bullets no matter how much they spent on their equipment.

I am seriously considering looking into teh RCE SeaGrit press. Seems like it may be a good press at a decent price for swaging and I can make my dies work in it. I'm sure which ever route you chose in dies you will no doubt have a good time making your own bullets.

Good shooting and Swage On!

BT


here is some pics of my 30 cal bullets from 5.7 brass

That is a .215 group@ 100yrds from a Savage 300WM!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050132.jpg

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

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

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

and here is a short video of the final point forming of the 30 cal bullets, click picture to see video
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/th_P1050240.jpg (http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/?action=view&current=P1050240.mp4)

[runfiverun]

coz
i started a thread about this on the bench.
i'll be getting one of brians 30 cal dies in a month or so and can give you a review.
i'll give you some reviews on some other dies over there if you like.
and an idea of what's really involved.
R5R

[A pause for the COZ]

coz
i started a thread about this on the bench.
i'll be getting one of brians 30 cal dies in a month or so and can give you a review.
i'll give you some reviews on some other dies over there if you like.
and an idea of what's really involved.
R5R

Cool. I will be watching for it.

Thank to the rest of you guys for the info. And yes I will be A reading

[R.Ph. 380]

I ordered the deriming die for the 22lr today and am looking to get the .224 swage and point forming die from BT Sniper if I ever hear.

Bill