Swaging Pure lead gas check bullets

[stephenbh]

I want to swage pure lead bullets for a 45 colt cartridge. I plan to use either a gas check or base guard on the bullets. Just wondering. with the base protected, what are maximum velocities/pressure I can put to such pure lead projectiles. Also, I'm hesitant in swaging a harder lead alloy. I'm using a Dave Corbin's H style swaging die. What is a safe maximum hardness for such swaging.
Thank you.
Stephen

[475AR]

I want to swage pure lead bullets for a 45 colt cartridge. I plan to use either a gas check or base guard on the bullets. Just wondering. with the base protected, what are maximum velocities/pressure I can put to such pure lead projectiles. Also, I'm hesitant in swaging a harder lead alloy. I'm using a Dave Corbin's H style swaging die. What is a safe maximum hardness for such swaging.
Thank you.
Stephen

Are you using the manual press or hydraulic press? As for max psi, contact Corbins. Using the H dies you can do harder lead no problem.

[jimrk]

You might also try Rooster Lube

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010286646

Richard Corbin pointed me to it a few years back.

[stephenbh]

Thanks guys for the replays
I'm using a Mega Mite press. Question was not about press pressure but rather bullet speed and pressure. I'm swaging a pure lead base guard 240 grain 45 cal bullet. Want to know how fast I can get that bullet going with out leading problems. Shooting through a Ruger Blackhawk. Don't know much about pure lead and base guards.
Thanks

[475AR]

How fast you can push pure lead base guard bullets depends on alot of factors, I have in the past run 44 BG bullets and in one of my DW 744's shoots them great 1.5" @ 40yds and I have pushed them to about 1300fps before any issues popped up (accuracy opened up alot at about 1350fps but no leading) in a different DW 744 if I hit 1100fps it shoots patterns and has leading, so I stopped shooting them in it. (For that matter that 744 has issues with cast bullets, but loves jacketed 300gr bullets.) I would say make up a few hundred and do some load development in your specific gun and see where that limit is. If you are looking for expansion don't forget pure lead doesn't have to be pushed hard to expand, even non HP bullets.

[Meatpuppet]

I cast a pure lead (with a touch of tin) Accurate Mold 43-290P, powdercoat it with Smoke's powder and then "Bump It Up" to 452 by Swaging it into BT's SWC and Flat Point point form dies using a SeaGirt press. Ive gone up to 1200fps with no problems and no gas check.

I have also swaged gas checks onto the projectile while bumping it in the point form dies. But I found it was not needed. Simpler is better.

If you have not used powdercoating before, you will be amazed at what it can do.