Another Bullet Making Thread (lots of photos & video)

[Ken Melgaard]

Thanks.

What size wire would you recommend for making 30cal?

List of wire size for calibers (jacketed):

• .100-inch .14 drawn jackets
• .125-inch .17 and .20 caliber
• .185-inch .224, .243, .257, .264
• .218-inch .270, .284, .308 thick wall
• .247-inch .308, .312, .318, .323, .338
• .275-inch .348, .350 tubing jackets
• .312-inch .355, .357, .366, .375
• .340-inch .400, .410, .416, .423
• .365-inch .429, .452, .458
• .390-inch .475, .500 thick wall
• .430-inch .500, .510, .512

 

[Ken Melgaard]

List of wire size for calibers (jacketed):

• .100-inch .14 drawn jackets
• .125-inch .17 and .20 caliber
• .185-inch .224, .243, .257, .264
• .218-inch .270, .284, .308 thick wall
• .247-inch .308, .312, .318, .323, .338
• .275-inch .348, .350 tubing jackets
• .312-inch .355, .357, .366, .375
• .340-inch .400, .410, .416, .423
• .365-inch .429, .452, .458
• .390-inch .475, .500 thick wall
• .430-inch .500, .510, .512

TrxR
The above is a guide from the Corbin website
But it all depends on what extrusion dies (diameters) your Lead Wire supply has.
I have been using .226” diameter for my .30 caliber bullets which is what l can source.

 

[DaveTooley]

All commercial bullet makers and the companies making lead wire all start with ingots of sorts. Large round ingots several feet long maybe 8" in diameter are put in a huge hydraulic press and extruded on to spools.

 

[RGRobinett]

All commercial bullet makers and the companies making lead wire start with ingots of sorts. Large round ingots [up to] several feet long maybe 8" in diameter are put in a huge hydraulic press and extruded onto spools.

Watching the extrusion of lead-wire is fascinating! We are cutting & "squirting" the SQUIRTS! RG

 

[BartsBullets]

I

Thanks.

What size wire would you recommend for making 30cal?

I use .217

 

[Ken Melgaard]

All commercial bullet makers and the companies making lead wire all start with ingots of sorts. Large round ingots several feet long maybe 8" in diameter are put in a huge hydraulic press and extruded on to spools.

A good YouTube video on the subject

 

[slwslw]

My only question as being very new to this process, where does one go to purchase core searing punches where you don’t have to wait years to get the investment. I have found that cores vary from lot to lot and a wide selection of punches is required but I have no idea how or where to purchase them. I’m making 103 class 6mm boat tail’s on a 15 OJ Nemei die. I have found that the punches and correct lube are key.

Cores don’t vary, the jackets do.

 

[WayneShaw]

Cores don’t vary, the jackets do.

Don't think so.

 

[slwslw]

Don't think so.

Wayne, The jackets vary way more to cause a change in selecting core seating punch, die adjustments and etc. You have the ability to control the variables when making cores. I personally use hood cores as of now and I have checked 1000 when I first ordered them. They are dead nuts on! If you don’t have consistent cores, your core seating will be all over the place in consistency. So I stand by what I said, cores do not vary like the jackets do. I can control the cores when I make them, but jackets are not in my control.

 

[INShooter]

The variation in consistency and limited availability of jackets give bullet makers headaches for sure.

 

[WIB3]

What is the proper procedure for cleaning out the copper build up in the point die. With visual inspection with Hawkeye, I can see a build up of copper close to the meplat, but only on one side. How does one remove it with out using ammonia based products. Ammonia will pit the carbide.

 

[Grimstod]

Any coper solvents should would. I would poke the part then sonic clean it.

 

[6BRAckley]

I would definitely NOT use any copper solvent that contains ammonia - it can ruin a carbide bullet die. I would contact the person that made your die and get guidance from them.

JP

 

[Shooter J]

An old thread but thank you! So wild to see what goes into making a bullet.

 

[JDK]

Thank you for this post. I bought dies last fall and now you got me motivated to set it all up and start swaging!

 

[JDBraddy]

Good Luck!

 

[andrewc6.5]

I've really enjoyed reading this thread as I'm trying to soak up as much information as I can before I swage my first bullet (dies are on order but at the back of the queue). My question is regarding jacket annealing or stress relieving prior to swaging. Do either processes have a clear accuracy benefit?

 

[Giano]

The J4 jackets supposedly have the proper hardness.
But I've read comments about doing the annealing.
What is the proper hardness and how can we measure?

 

[D Coots]

George Ullrich does annealing.

 

[andrewc6.5]

So bringing jackets back to full soft is the way to go. Thanks for that.