durand mortenson
Gold $$ Contributor
Like the NHRA logo on the box.3,000 cores ready to go:
1,000 J4 1.00" .30 jackets fresh from an acetone rinse.
Jackets will get lubed in a rotational tumbler next.
Mort
Time to make the donuts....
- Thread starter AlNyhus
- Start date
Mort
Mort, that box is full of Quadrajet race parts.
Lubed jackets are put into this jacket board.
Hands are washed well, then cores are dropped into the jackets.
A few get hung up. A wooden chop stick works to push them down into the jackets.
The press for this setup in an inline press. The core seat punch is put into the holder (top). The core seater die (bottom) is threaded into the ram.
A jacket with a core inside is placed onto the seating punch.
The press handle is lowered and the die advances over the jacket.
After the core is seated, the handle is raised and the cored jacket stays in the die due to it being expanded to the die diameter by the core seating pressure.
As the die comes further back, an ejector pin contacts the ejector inside the die and the cored jacket is ejected out of the die.
The cored jacket rolls down this plastic chute and into a plastic tray lined with waxed paper to join it's buddies. The jacket board shown holds 143 jackets so repeat this 6 more times and there's 1,000 cored jackets ready for the next steps.
The core seating process is a balancing act of choosing the correct diameter punch, monitoring how much the jacket shortens and grows during the seating process, etc, etc. Good notes on past jacket lot numbers, punch sizes used in the past, jacket behavior, etc. are a must. A good .0001 micrometer is a must and I have one that's only used for bullet making to keep things as consistent as possible.
This is a very simple setup compared to most. But it gives some idea of the process, even if the gear is different.
Hands are washed well, then cores are dropped into the jackets.
A few get hung up. A wooden chop stick works to push them down into the jackets.
The press for this setup in an inline press. The core seat punch is put into the holder (top). The core seater die (bottom) is threaded into the ram.
A jacket with a core inside is placed onto the seating punch.
The press handle is lowered and the die advances over the jacket.
After the core is seated, the handle is raised and the cored jacket stays in the die due to it being expanded to the die diameter by the core seating pressure.
As the die comes further back, an ejector pin contacts the ejector inside the die and the cored jacket is ejected out of the die.
The cored jacket rolls down this plastic chute and into a plastic tray lined with waxed paper to join it's buddies. The jacket board shown holds 143 jackets so repeat this 6 more times and there's 1,000 cored jackets ready for the next steps.
The core seating process is a balancing act of choosing the correct diameter punch, monitoring how much the jacket shortens and grows during the seating process, etc, etc. Good notes on past jacket lot numbers, punch sizes used in the past, jacket behavior, etc. are a must. A good .0001 micrometer is a must and I have one that's only used for bullet making to keep things as consistent as possible.
This is a very simple setup compared to most. But it gives some idea of the process, even if the gear is different.
Yeah.... I stuff 'em in by hand. It really doesn't take too long. In 10 minutes I can load the jackets in the board and drop cores. The bad thing is that every time I go to Randy's and he puts me to work with his big bullet boards and plastic tubs of jackets and cores, it's like being a 3rd grader and taking that long walk down the hall to the Principle's office.
The press is a horizontal one. It's bullet makings version of a Partner press....loose and let the dies do the work.
Al
I like the pencil eraser punch protector
I like the pencil eraser punch protector
The ends of the punches are razor sharp and you need to protect them. Don't ask how I found that out. It's kinda' like having enough valve to piston clearance in a race engine......
Yeah. It only takes once. Slow learners twice.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Al, I don’t know how you guys use angled or even a horizontal presses.
i still mount them vertical because I put my whole body into making the 30’s, whether core seating or pointing up.
Aside from that, Ed and I make them pretty much as you do. We do use tweezers to place the cores in the jackets.
Maybe this is all kinda subjective. I am conversing with a bullet maker by PM who actually places a very thin film of ATF on his cores before seating them. From what I was always taught, that is heresy. Heck, I might try it.
Making bullets is a lot like shooting Benchrest. Find something that works, and being able to repeat it time after time.
and, measure EVERYTHING.
i still mount them vertical because I put my whole body into making the 30’s, whether core seating or pointing up.
Aside from that, Ed and I make them pretty much as you do. We do use tweezers to place the cores in the jackets.
Maybe this is all kinda subjective. I am conversing with a bullet maker by PM who actually places a very thin film of ATF on his cores before seating them. From what I was always taught, that is heresy. Heck, I might try it.
Making bullets is a lot like shooting Benchrest. Find something that works, and being able to repeat it time after time.
and, measure EVERYTHING.
Was making bullets for 5 years. Thought I could do a better job but could not. Had the best dies and the best presses made. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that it is a whole lot easier to buy them. Mine were very competitive but there was no distinguishing difference in performance. Buy from those who truly know what they are doing and enjoy the sport of shooting. I have made new friendships along the way of the transition and would not trade it for anything. Unless you some innovative bullet design and a die maker willing to work with you, just buy your supply for the year or years to come.
SHarvey
Silver $$ Contributor
I couldn’t agree more…
SHarvey
Silver $$ Contributor
Very satisfying though when you win a match with bullets you made your self, yes easier to buy but big smiles when asked what bullets you shoot and you can honestly say the ones I make at my house. Labor of love….
Damn....
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Dave. It takes a lot more effort at the handle to make the 30’s. I use the regular RCBS Presses to make my 68 grn 6MM. I use the big modified Lee 50 cal presses for the 30’s. And the point up even has the handle extended.
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No crap!!
Here's a better look at how my press is oriented. The press height is set to where the compression of the core begins, my right arm is almost fully extended downward. At that point, I just lean to the right with my arm locked and that completes the stroke nice and smoothly....like setting a wind flag pole.
Other than doing a few at Randy's, I don't have much thoughts on the difference between 6's and .30's for the 'oomph' needed.
Other than doing a few at Randy's, I don't have much thoughts on the difference between 6's and .30's for the 'oomph' needed.
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