Bed time here, but. My inventory of 9s and 40s is almost endless, maybe 20/30K of em, keep me busy for awhile, lead is on the short list.
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Bed time here, but. My inventory of 9s and 40s is almost endless, maybe 20/30K of em, keep me busy for awhile, lead is on the short list.
Would sure like to see the xtp bullets you are able to make as well as any other pics you care to share.
A note to the many here that swage bullets. Take some good notes as far as the jacket weight vs. core as well as anything else that you might think is small in importance. I took a 3 month break from making bullets and in some cases it had been longer since I had made a piticular caliber. Then I look at bullet X in my collection and wonder just how did I do that? Probably the CRS syndrom going around I guess.
Happend to check prices on the Lee clasic cast iron press. Midway had them for $75. I paid $125 for my redding big boss. Never seen the lee up close. From the look of it I would say the handle conection would be teh week spot. I'm sure if I accuried one I would change it out. Looks like it has a long stroke too. if you replaced the location of one of the bolts you can cut the stroke distance in half yet probably double the availble force. Even 2" in movement is enough for most of these bullets.
I am really enjoying this post.
I do cast for the 357sig. I bought a lee 124gr TC mold and love it. the boolits drop pretty good. I need to research this stuff more cuz i got no idea what all i would be buying.
I got a RockChucker, dies for 38spl,357mag,9mm,40,357sig,223rem and 243. I know i could stand to gain from this swagging but I need to know what to get, "what not to buy "junk" etc. As I told BT i am very interested in this and intrigued. If you need any sig brass let me know and i'll hook you up good.
Sonoma,
There is plenty of neat tricks that can be done with a piece of brass and some lead. the 40 cal and 44 cal is the only two I can think of that can be formed so easily in one stroke of the press. There is info here on forming the 357 from scap brass but the challenge is getting it down to size first. Take your time and study some of the previous threads on the caliber.
Can you imagine cutting up one of the .223 cases you reload?
The sig case would also make a good 44 cal bullet. Keep me in mind if you truly have a lot extra.
There was a thread here somewhere that someone was using both ends of 223 brass to make jacketed bullets (brass was chopped in two).. It wasn't you was it?
How long do you anneal the cases for?
Also, when lubing do you have to lube each case before swaging? Or is it like sizing bottleneck cases and you only have to lube every few cases or so.
I cook it in a gutted BBQ grill in a stainless steel strainer. Checking temp making sure it reaches 700+ and then till they all glow.
Wasn't me, Michael "Kawalem" I think I'm close on his handel though I'm sure I spelled it wrong. He beet me to it. It was his post. Makes great 357 bullets by the way.
hey BT I got oodles of it "357sig" it's all speer nickel finished though. I got a state policeman up a few houses. He recognized my truck tag "357sig" and bought me thousands of cases. cant beat dat with a dat beater in my eyes. maybe we can do sum swapping. take care guys.
how do these bullets shoot?
and, where can you buy commercial 40 caliber jackets?
Harmon
Is the ejector system a home built? If not where do I find one for a RCBS Rock Chucker? Thanks.
Yep home built. I hope to put some together someday to offer to others.
Don't know how they shoot yet. Have not tried as I don't have a 40 cal yet but hope to soon. Don't know about the jackets either. I would guess Sierra or Corbin but then it gets just as expensive as it is to buy the bullets.
I ruined a ~1k batch of 9mm brass -- forgot about them in an vinegar solution for several days -- so I'm looking forward to trying this on a Lee Classic Cast as a summer project. :D
Harmon, I like Precision Delta for commercial plinking bullets -- they're cheap, at least in 9mm anyway.
BT, FYI you may want to steer clear of the Glock 40s if you aren't already aware of their issues. I'm not aware of any of the .40 Glock clones having the same issues.
And people here thought my vinegar solution was "too weak / too slow" LOL
I do agree on the 40 cal pistol - for Brian. He is a tinkerer & reloader, something the 40 cal Glock does not tolerate well.
If I had to recomend a 40 cal pistol for him, it would be a CZ 75B in 40 cal. Tough, with ergonomics similar to the AutoMag he already owns. The CZ design is a great one.
I own several tupperware pistols, and shoot the hell out of them - not a single one in 40 cal however.
B.
Skip the lightweight 40. You already reload, so go for the 10mm. I would suggest an EAA Witness Elite Match. Scary accurate, pleasant to shoot, very strong and usually can be had new in box for $550.00 including FFL fees.
Easy to download to 40S&W ballistics if that is what you want.
And, I would be glad to test some of those bullets for you in my Elite Match just to be sure they are OK.
Many great recamendations here I'm sure. I have seen the results of the 40S&W vs. the Glock when the glock lost. Not to wory I plan to stay away.
I wish the 10mm brass was as plentiful as the 40 S&W it would be a no brainer then. No doubt that 10mm is a great shooter.
Not sure what I want really in the 40 cal dept. As I don't shoot many pistols and really may just need a fun cheap stress releaving gun that goes bang, I may still be leaning towards the Hi-Point 40 cal Carbine. Talked to my local gun dealer, he said about $200 when they become avialable. We shall see.
Should I fall into some extra $ and feel the need for an accurate 40 cal I'll certainly check out the recamended models thanks.
As for testing some bullets I may just take you up on your offer. PM me your address. Got some 44 cal orders to fill first and still working on final weight and desing of the 40s so it may be a little while, not long though. What weight shoots well for you?
Dannix,
Did it eat holes in the brass?
I left one case in the same solution and all that was left was a bit of the rim. Don't remember how long it sat in there but it did the job.
I second the cz75B or clone. If you get a forty you can put a 9mm barrel in it and do well without buying the entire top end for 9mm. I have a clone in 9mm and wish it were the other way.
Very cool!