My first attempt at a 45 acp hp swaged bullet

[vonzep]

Ok so the goal was 225 gr but I over did the hp and trimmed the thin flashing off. Wound up at 215gr.

My questions are:

Any obvious problems/suggestions?

I want to go with a 225gr with notched case like an XTP. What jacket length should I be buying?

[vonzep]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/vonzep/20150404_210924_zpsycff7t8t.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/vonzep/media/20150404_210924_zpsycff7t8t.jpg.html)

[rmatchell]

Looks good. I am also learning how to use my new dies but with my experience so far a 40sw case trimmed to .680 got me close. As for your question of which jacket the .580 RCE jacket and a 175gr cast core gives me a 204-207gr so maybe try the .680 jacket.

[runfiverun]

if you want more weight just lose the deep hollow-point.
that bullet looks just fine, make more and shoot them.
the exposed lead will open the bullet as much as a notched jacket will, unless you are just going for the 'cool factor' you really don't need the notching.

[mold maker]

Notching only improves the controlled petal expansion of the jacket. Unless bonded, the lead will behave almost the same regardless.
They are totally cool though.

[vonzep]

Thanks! So a n exposed flat point or round nose will expand well too?

[runfiverun]

yep...
and you'll get a bit better penetration.

[DukeInFlorida]

I'm using .40 S&W cases as the jacket (virtually FREE), and use a cast lead bullet as the core. Weigh them together before assembly to get a combo that gives you the desired result weight.

It's relatively easy to hit 220 grains, and mine look just like Hornady XTP's when I am done.

I'm too CHEAP.... er.... FRUGAL to ever buy jackets........ Totally UN-necessary in my book.

[goblism]

I'm using .40 S&W cases as the jacket (virtually FREE), and use a cast lead bullet as the core. Weigh them together before assembly to get a combo that gives you the desired result weight.

It's relatively easy to hit 220 grains, and mine look just like Hornady XTP's when I am done.

I'm too CHEAP.... er.... FRUGAL to ever buy jackets........ Totally UN-necessary in my book.

I think jackets have their place. Much easier to work with over brass casings. For plinking rounds I don't think it matters one bit but for precision or hunting I would want a real jacket.

Some jackets are nearly the same price as casings. Take 380 for example. They are probably worth about the same aa a RCE 35 Cal jackets. Yes you may pick up 2-3k for free at the range but you could also sell those 2-3k and use them to buy real jackets

My 45 and 44, (and eventually 40) shoot mainly casings for brass as 40 and 9 brass is nearly worthless

[vonzep]

I can trim down 40sw and 357 sig cases by the hundreds in a few minutes. I make a jig just for that. But my oven doesn't self clean so I can't easily anneal the cases and until I build a swaging press I'm pushing my little lee to swage soft lead into jackets.