I'm up to my old tricks.

[kopcicle]

Again.

When I first asked this question, the answer was as easy as picking up the phone and placing the order. No longer is this the case.

What I'm looking for is a .452-.453" Hollow base wadcutter, 350-400gr.
Lube grooves aren't terribly important, yet.
The "knurled" exterior of some popular airgun projectiles would be sufficient.

Then the rabbit hole appears.

What kind of pressures would it take to form, that is swag or crush lead into a mold rather than casting?

I have a little time on my hands this winter and will be trying mechanical leverage as well as hydraulic advantage.

I'm hopeful that someone here knows more about this. I'd hate to re-invent the wheel again.

As this moves along, I'll have to dig out my information from decades past and begin load development for another version of the flying manhole cover.

To give a hint of what it took...
1911 loosely based on the Ser. 70 MK IV
Rifle brass. 6.5x55 Swede or .308 .
Curious modifications to a ramped barrel.
Firing pin stop plate modifications to include a flat bottom and full-face contact with the hammer face.
Linked or linkless? I have no idea even after trying both.
Curiously a piece of leather was the most reliable shock buffer and diagnostic tool.
balancing act between the recoil and mainspring.
Initial testing was performed with the projectiles turned on a lathe.
If you haven't tried it, I should advise that feeds and speeds are not what you would imagine.
Lead turning can be frustrating.

Last but not least these are loaded upside down with the hollow base forming a huge cavity.

This sequel is just in the planning stage. Most of the tools and tooling is here.
The frame is on the way. The barrel and small parts are already here.

Updates as they happen.

[bruce381]

sounds like you want to swage them? if yes I thin Corbin used to make dies etc?

[Sasquatch-1]

If swaging is what you want to do, the dies I have used and seen have NO lube groves. I think you will need quite a robust system if you want to use a two-piece die.

I actually broke a Corbin die by using the wrong lead and too much pressure. You can reshape bullets that have been cast and lubed but are you willing to go through the expense of buying the dies you will need. This is also how I broke my die.

[Wayne Smith]

We have a whole subsection on swaging. You might want to start there.

[gwpercle]

When I realized how much the equipment cost to swag boolits ...the prices of swaging presses , lead wire and dies was so far out of my reach it wasn't funny ...
I borrowed $10 from my Dad for a Lee single cavity mould and went over to the Casting side ... been there ever since .
Gary

[farmerjim]

I had one of the old Herters .357 half jacket swage dies. I used pure lead at just over the weight I wanted and a steel ball bearing to form the concave nose. I think they also made them in .452. A good single stage press will work. Check if anyone has one they will sell.

[Gunslinger1911]

Mp Molds has a HBWC in 45



I have one - the hollow base is HUUUUUGE !

[kopcicle]

@Gunslinger1911 Weight?

[relics6165]

Approximately 235 grains.

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-...4-cavity-mold/

[Gunslinger1911]

Yup, with my alloy it's 238g.
With the huge hollow base, not sure how long it would have to be to hit 350-400g. Thats pretty heavy a 45 slug as a solid.

[kopcicle]

"If you're gonna be stupid, don't pull up short. Saddle up and ride it all the way in."

I've loaded 320gr for 45ACP and there might have been room for more, maybe, kinda, but I doubt it, sorta.