Filing down .22's into SWC's

[David LaPell]

I read an older Handloader article where there was a tool that was like a gauge where you could take a .22 long rifle (not a hollowpoint) and put it in and it would expose the top 1/16 " of an inch or so where you could file it flat, giving you a SWC type bullet and supposedly better expansion. Has anyone tried this at all? I was thinking of trying to come up with a homemade tool where I could use this with my K-22 revolver.

[Shiloh]

Paco Kelly used to make a tool similar to this.

http://www.gunblast.com/Paco.htm

Shiloh

[Bret4207]

I've made several. Take a hunk of old 22 barrel, run a 22 LR reamer in and then cut it down till you get as much nose exposed as you want. I took a set of very small, very sharp wire cutters and flattened the back side. No more filing! The only problem is you end up with a hunk of metal that's really easy to lose.

BTW- Using bulk HV 22 ammo, both solid and HP, I get better grouping (usually) from the altered rounds. I kind of thing it's the CG being moved rearward. My first rig was toos hort and gave me an almost wadcutter bullet. The next gave me a FP about half the diameter of the bullet or so, it makes a big diff on squirrels and pests.

[bobthenailer]

i have some CCI 22 lr ammo , called small game bullet that has a flat nose from the factory . dont know if its still avaliable, but its accurate.

[Dale53]

I have a .22 Rimfire modifier (home built) and also Paco Kelly's complete tool set.

They work VERY well. There is a definite improvement in squirrel "stopping power" compared to a standard round nose rimfire. My favorite configuration is a RF. The accuracy is excellent, the killing power is NOW sufficient for body shots without the meat ruining use of hollow points.

I try to take all of my squirrels with head shots. However, sometimes the squirrel doesn't cooperate and a head shot is not presented. Using a properly modified .22 round helps a lot...

Dale53

[45nut]

i have some CCI 22 lr ammo , called small game bullet that has a flat nose from the factory . dont know if its still avaliable, but its accurate.

SGB is the stuff,, small game bullet. accurate in my trials too.

[megafatcat]

Any feed problems in a 10-22 or buckmark?

[Carolina Cast Bullets]

Remington makes a 22 Lr SWC load. Its called the "Viper" and it has a companion round "YellowJacket" which is a hollowpoint. Both are hypervelocity loads

CCI SGB (small game bullet) also features a flat point solid bullet. Sometimes hard to find but is useful.

Jerry
Carolina Cast Bullets

[Murphy]

Paco Kelly,

Speaking of his .22 boolit altering tool, I also recall (and found some just the other day in my shop) his lube 'Apache Blue'. It was an excellent lube marketed by The Hanned Line, but they apparently went belly up.

I do wish Paco would find another maker, or sell his patent so we could back to using it. The last time I spoke to anyone online who had some for sale, they wanted an outrageous (think Ebay here) price for it. Like over $150 for 8 Oz? *I don't think so*.

Murphy

[Dale53]

CCI basically copied the bullet design from the Hanned Line when they offered their Small Game Bullet. I actually prefer the Hanned Line tool as the flat when made ends up with a sharp cornered nose compared to CCI's rounded flat. CCI's SGB is superior to the standard round nose, however, for edible small game.

Paco's new tool will do just fine and has more options for those who like to experiment.

Dale53

[insanelupus]

If anyone is looking for some .22 barrels to try this with, I've got a package of 3 for sale on the sell & swap forum!

Just a shameless plug!

[shotman]

the cci and rem viper are easy just load and shoot
If you want a full flat run across a flat file one time and its flat

[CWME]

Made one tonight off a junk marlin barrel. Shoots pretty good from what I can tell, only fired on my indoor 10 yard range so far. Should get to see how they kill critters next weekend. My camp is over run with reds squirrels.
For me this is a good option because all I normally have is rn match rounds. This gives me the ability to make some hunting rounds if needed out of match stuff.

As a side note, that marlin barrel was some soft. Parted it off like it was brass. Doubt my tool will be good for very long using a file.

[Dale53]

CWME;
You might want to consider using Kasenit and case hardening the barrel stub. It'll last MUCH longer. It is no trick at all to get decent results:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7626/Product/KASENIT

Dale53

[CWME]

CWME;
You might want to consider using Kasenit and case hardening the barrel stub. It'll last MUCH longer. It is no trick at all to get decent results:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7626/Product/KASENIT

Dale53

Thanks for the link Dale. Once they have it in stock I will pick some up.

[CWME]

A #1 drill bit is .228 and works great for this. You don't need a barrel to make one of these things. Once I wear out the one I have I will make one from some 0-1 tool steel I have on hand.

25 yard Range test this afternoon showed zero change in POI or accuracy with a small and large flat filed on a RN 22LR.

[stubshaft]

Paco and D. Rock style tools swage the bullet to a specific diameter and alter the shape of the nose. Filing the nose also alters the shape but also lightens the bullet for more velocity. I used to have a hardened die IIRC it was made by Forster to just file the nose down a bit.

[nanuk]

A #1 drill bit is .228 and works great for this. You don't need a barrel to make one of these things. Once I wear out the one I have I will make one from some 0-1 tool steel I have on hand.

25 yard Range test this afternoon showed zero change in POI or accuracy with a small and large flat filed on a RN 22LR.

that is what I was thinking. set on down firmly on wood, and a swipe with a file, or sandpaper...

you could even harden it for longevity

[TNsailorman]

Back in the ol days, squirrel hunter's in this area would buy the solid point bullets(cheaper) and take a pocket knife and cut an X on the nose to get better expansion and it worked. The depth of the cut was key though.

[MT Gianni]

I made 3 tools from 3/4" square stock. IIRC, I measured out the distance fr the flat, drilled the diameter of the brass and reversed it drilling out the rim. Placed it on the bench heated it to a dull cherry color and dumped it into a pop can 2/3 full of oil. If you happen to harden 3 at a time use a larger can as this will cause boiled oil to foam all over the shop floor and stink it up. Cat litter and time are your friends as is safety solvent.