Author Topic: First attempt at swaging (Read 898 times))

sb327 · « **on:** March 21, 2021, 10:16:03 AM »

I have made my own molds and used production molds for years. I decided I wanted to ‘step up a notch’ and try swaging. Of course the price to get into it is ridiculous so I decided if I can make a useable die, the press/such is easy.

Well on my third attempt, I got a useable die, meaning it spit out a perfect size bullet albeit with a few machine marks.

So I made a little press from a 2” hydraulic ram, a small pump, valve and a treadmill motor. It works great. I had a junk find self contained hydraulic pump but it was way too fast. I like my setup because I can change the speed with the motor. I can set max psi with a regulator on the valve.

It’s ghetto but it works.

Dave

aimsmall · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2021, 10:32:18 AM »

I love it. and that is why I haven't pulled the trigger on getting my setup yet,the cost..

bduares · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2021, 02:46:30 PM »

That is great! Looks like something from Dr Who and the slugs look great as well!

scion19801 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2021, 07:07:27 PM »

What is the weight and caliber on those? they look good. like the steampunk-esq of the handmade swaging setup. Just goes to show there is more than one way to skin an animal. Now hopefully they shoot as well as they look.

sb327 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2021, 07:20:14 PM »

Those are 22 (.222). I’ll have to measure the length. They are 38gr deep hollow point with not quite a 3s ogive. I use a ‘core’ mold to get my weight then adjust bullet oal for proper fillout in the form die. This determines the width of driving band. I wanted it small and have some bore riding surface ahead of it while getting close to 40 grain.

Dave

JuryRigger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2021, 09:00:26 PM »

Kewl...

Quite a setup you've got there; how well do they shoot?
Jesse

sb327 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2021, 10:10:21 PM »

Good question and one I’m dying to find out!

I shot it some through a junk barrel and it has been my best bullet I’ve tried so far. The junk barrel was to get my valve idea working good. Since the gun is solid now, I pulled that barrel just before coming back to work and will be fitting a good barrel when I get home at the end of the week.

I’ll be trying different lubes as well.

Dave

Insanity · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2021, 10:19:45 PM »

I love it when people make things with "junk" hanging about. I would like to see some operation video or more detailed pictures of your process from a hunk of lead to a slug.

sb327 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2021, 07:46:20 AM »

I’ll try to get some more pictures when I’m home. I’m terrible about not taking pictures as I go along.

Dave

bduares · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2021, 08:47:05 AM »

I wonder if you could make a .22 die that would fit in my Swag-o-matic press. I've looked around and seen .38, .357 and .427 dies for it, but dies for it are a bit scarce these days. Probably for the same reason pellets and molds are scarce.

sb327 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2021, 09:07:09 AM »

The dies are the hard part. I have to make a cutter (4flute from O1), cut my die (I use s7 tool steel), then start lapping it up to size. It can easily eat up a day or more in shop time. I don’t think I’ll be making extras any time soon, lol. I’ve only got a few days in the shop at a time.

Dave

bduares · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2021, 02:38:50 PM »

I understand. Making things by hand is hard and takes a long time

Would like to see your machine in operation sometime. If it is run by a motor, does that mean it continuously presses up and down or do you activate it with a lever/switch to make it press once?

sb327 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2021, 03:53:00 PM »

The hydraulic pump is running continuously by the motor. The valve just bypasses to tank. Move the valve lever one way or the other for up/down. Typical two way valve with open center. Max pressure is controlled within the valve with adjustable regulator. I have it set about 1200 psi. It bypasses to tank when it hits that setting.

I’ll get better pics when I get home.

Dave

bduares · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2021, 12:54:49 AM »

I ordered a .375 adjustable single core mold today. This should be here sometime next week. That will make it even easier to play with varying weights of lead in the swage press

Insanity · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2021, 01:01:26 AM »

Could you share a link I am interested in what that looks like? I did try to look it up my self but I just don't know what to look for and if I found it don't know if that's what it is?

This?

http://www.corbins.com/prcm-4.htm

bduares · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2021, 02:11:52 AM »

This one. It was only $40

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375-core-mold-for-making-cores-to-swage-bullets/353414214070?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

He has a .312 core mold as well which should also work pretty well in a .357 swage press

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312-core-mold-for-making-cores-to-swage-bullets/353409843161?hash=item5248de3fd9:g:uKsAAOSw2KVfuT1H

Insanity · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2021, 03:10:47 AM »

Thankyou that looks kind of what I assumed it would. I was thinking though a split mold with some sort of pin you could move to adjust for volume. I am guessing that the pin with the captured spring is to release the chunk and the threaded bit is how you adjust the volume? Then the extra pin is a stock replacement or one that provides more adjustment?

sb327 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2021, 07:55:10 AM »

That’s pretty cool, I haven’t seen those.

Mine is just a down/dirty, two holes drilled in a chunk of aluminum. Hold with vise grips. Floating 1/8” pins for knockout. Pins are peened on the ends. Left one end of pin un-peened until had my weight (hole drilled) to just over 41 grains.

Dave

bduares · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2021, 08:19:09 AM »

Quote from: Insanity on March 26, 2021, 03:10:47 AM

Thankyou that looks kind of what I assumed it would. I was thinking though a split mold with some sort of pin you could move to adjust for volume. I am guessing that the pin with the captured spring is to release the chunk and the threaded bit is how you adjust the volume? Then the extra pin is a stock replacement or one that provides more adjustment?

No idea what the extra pin is. I haven't received it yet. Maybe a handle extension, maybe a spare pusher rod to remove the lead.

My best guess is that the rod on the spring is threaded at the end or is a tube with a bolt running inside it and it connects to a piston in the bottom of the mold. Turn the screw to move the piston up or down to adjust the length of the lead core being cast. Turn it over and rap the rod to knock the core out of the mold. Will see when it gets here

Edit: guess I should have reread the eBay description of the mold:

"It comes with two ejectors of different length letting you make cores on the extreme from very short to extra long, and anything in between. Molds are normally fixed but this one allows you to turn the base of the cavity up and down to make the exact weight needed. "

Bob Pratl · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2021, 01:43:24 PM »

I love the idea of swaging which ends up with a more precision and accurate projectile and I have looked in to it a number of times but always
failed to purchased the equipment because I no longer do any benchrest shooting. Right now I am a Plinker, tinker and pester so the NOE
casted/sized slugs/pellets shoot great for me. I definitely see and appreciate the benefits of swaging and would enjoy the adventure.
This is a great hobby with many options.

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First attempt at swaging

Author Topic: First attempt at swaging (Read 898 times))