Need opinions of experienced swagers

[tiger762]

Can one use 45cal jackets to make 50cal pistol bullets?

Here's my thought process:

1. Swage a core using an existing 45cal core swage
2. Place in 45cal jacket
3. Using hollow point external punch, seat the core in the 45cal core seat die
4. Now that there is a centered conical shaped depression in the lead, place this swaged core/jacket in the 50cal core seat, using either its HP punch, or even the same 45cal punch, to swage it out to 0.500"
5. Point form using the 50cal point form die

I am leery about swaging anything out by that much BUT after the first core seating, there's something for the second swaging to center up the core/jacket in the core seat die. Then, as pressure is applied, it will swell out to 0.500" hopefully without going out-of-round on me.

45cal jackets are plentiful and cheap. RCE has 50cal jackets more suitable for rifles. This is not to criticize RCE! Without the plethora of jackets he offers, we wouldn't even be having this conversation because to me it would be a moot point. I refuse to pay out the a** for a thin copper cup so I wouldn't even have gotten into swaging if not for the jackets he offers. I don't blame him for keeping the 50cal selection small. Probably a really tiny market..

I'm just thinking that a 45cal jacket could swell out to 0.500" as long as it is kept centered. What do you all think?

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

141635

141636

Just a touch under .500".

141637

210 grain 50 cal slugs anyone?

[475AR]

What cartridge will these used in? I have used thicker jackets for 500 S&W and 50 AE in both HP and SP bullets they opened fine. I am planning to order some of the RCE 50 cal jackets and think they will work fine. I have in the past looked for thin walled jackets I could use for subsonic bullets and also for the 50 GI and have not found anyone that produces them.

[tiger762]

IllinoicCoyoteHunter: That's perfect. Exactly what I was thinking. I'd pick a jacket length and core weight that swells as much of it out as possible. I can tell from the first picture where the lead (inside) came up to, based on where the difference in diameter is.



What cartridge will these used in?

Desert Eagle 50AE. Looking for 325 grains, SP and HP. To be used for target (not hunting)

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I just ordered some longer 45 cal jackets tonight from Richard. Planning on trying to get some 275 grain laser beams coming out of the SW 500.

[tiger762]

Curious, did you use a HP punch, or will it swell out equally in all directions even without it?

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I used Brians dies in my Walnut Hill. I used the 45 cal core seat punch to seat the core initially in the 45 cal jackets, then used the same 45 cal core seat punch to swell the slug in the 50 cal core seat die. It swelled it out evenly in all directions, even with the cs punch being flat. Then, the 50 cal PF punch and PF die to finish them.

[tiger762]

Excellent. Thanks-a-million!

I assume it was an inside the jacket punch? I hadn't thought about it, but that too would assure that it stays centered.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yes sir. Inside the jacket punch. Kept it centered perfectly.