Benchrest bullet making

[holstil]

I’m tryin to figure out why I want Bullet trays.

You have to load em into the core seat one at time either way. Does it help if they come from a tray other than a bowl? Seems picking them from a close fit tray would be more cumbersome then from a bowl? Do you save that much time?

I like me some gadgets though.

brian, your analogy, funny right there!

 

[CubCouper]

OK,.... I read this whole thread and it appears that there is a need for a somebody willing to just crank out trays.

I just just resurrected a 1984 vintage CNC mill that needs a purpose. I built a set for myself for 6mm BR bullets about 10 years ago on this machine. Not fabulous, but definitely functional. I'd only seen a set once and designed these from that vague memory.

Boards on the left are the jacket trays.
Middle board has deep countersinks that act as funnels.
Board on the right has pass-through holes.
The (wood) collar fits around a stack so that you can just dump in a bunch of jackets or cores. Shake and about 90+% land where they're supposed to right side up.
The plexi-glass sheet (barely visible) goes between two boards to make it easier to fill.
Material is 1/2" HDPE which worked out great for .790 and .825 6mm jackets.

I started without boards. Mistake. These cut the time to make bullets by about 80%.

I got an unemployed operator that would love to crank these out, so $300 a set as shown. $45/ea for additional jacket tray. Number of bullets per tray will depend on caliber, etc. If you have a particular design or customization that is OK too. Contact via PM.

 

[geo.ulrich]

there you go I guess you missed post 46 also , I'll just wait for Rod to figure out his costs and wait for the price increase....

 

[holstil]

I don't think I make enough bullets to justify

 

[dcali]

I’m tryin to figure out why I want Bullet trays.

You have to load em into the core seat one at time either way. Does it help if they come from a tray other than a bowl? Seems picking them from a close fit tray would be more cumbersome then from a bowl? Do you save that much time?

I like me some gadgets though.

brian, your analogy, funny right there!

The point of the tray is to make it easier to put the core in the jacket before you seat the core. It saves quite a bit of time. If it were just the jackets, you wouldn't need the tray.

 

[geo.ulrich]

it takes me around 8 minutes to load 1000 jackets and cores with trays about an hour without

 

[SGK]

How precise do the trays need to be? Do they have to match the bullet precisely or are they simply 'cupholders'? It really would not be hard to design those trays in something like Fusion 360* and have them printed or CNC'd. Upload the design to someone like JawsTec and get a quote online. MJF printers can do the size required.

* Someone experienced with the software could probably do the design in under 5 minutes if given the relevant dimensions. The learning curve for a new starter would be a bit longer but rewarding over time.

EDIT: or likely even cheaper to have them laser cut via a service like Ponoko

 

[geo.ulrich]

I keep hearing all these ideas on how easy this would be to make and it will be cheaper to cnc or laser. but no one is able to come up with there own design. I have seen a bunch try and make them on cnc they are all gone it just doesn't take a 30000 dollar cnc for this. I would like to know how do you laser a blind hole.....

 

[SGK]

I would like to know how do you laser a blind hole.....

Would require two pieces, yes. But welding acrylic is very easy. A greater challenge for laser cutting is countersinking. Hey if these things are readily available then so be it. But I think for those who want to make their own I think they'd be surprised how easy it can be to design in 2D/3D these days and how easy it can be to outsource even small run production be it subtractive or additive. No freakin' way would I drill one by hand.

 

[geo.ulrich]

so two pieces thats more expense, welding them theres more and the price for acrylic is higher more cost. so what do you figure the cost is for a set thats 7 plates to load 1000 jackets and cores ...

 

[CubCouper]

If I had it to do over again (lack of cash back then) I'd of bought a set of George's trays when I bought my dies and presses... I don't think anybody helps us bullet makers more. For sure, he's built a lot more of these systems than I ever did and has worked out a lot of kinks. Definitely pro-level stuff!

My options years ago included a ancient vintage CNC mill (about 250 holes was about the limit of the size of program it could handle) and several tons of 1/2" HDPE left over from a previous venture. I didn't realize that trays were important till I got a bullet-making lesson from an old shooter in Oklahoma. I copied what I could remember of his trays, but had to make it work with my supply of material. Messing around in the shop is a happy weekend and lets me futz with one-off design ideas.

 

[geo.ulrich]

So Rodney have have you been. Glad everything worked out for you it was quite a mess. p.s. I have been trying to get a hold of Larry W. for quite awhile but can't seem to catch up is he Alright

 

[butchlambert]

So Rodney have have you been. Glad everything worked out for you it was quite a mess. p.s. I have been trying to get a hold of Larry W. for quite awhile but can't seem to catch up is he Alright

Were you able to touch base with Jimmie Knox?

 

[RGRobinett]

so two pieces thats more expense, welding them theres more and the price for acrylic is higher more cost. so what do you figure the cost is for a set thats 7 plates to load 1000 jackets and cores ...

George, I'll take my next set for free - please ship B4 end next week!

A facet being overlooked - maybe just not detailed - is the importance of the distance between centers, AND the "ridge" width, both of which affect the balance point of the jacket, which determines whether the jackets "drop" base first )), or, mouth first mad! This spacing will be about "perfect" for one jacket length, and marginal, to deteriorating for longer/shorter/differing caliber jackets . . .

Referencing my earlier post to this thread (#29), my uncle and I invested a little trial & error into the hole-spacing for the thirty Cal. sets which he made: they were perfect for 1.080" long jackets, and work pretty well with 1.00" and 1.150" - longer and shorter make for a little more work, but not pain in the posterior effort. I use those for long 6mm, 6..5, & 7mm: all high PINTA factor! But, still, better than dropping them one at a time . . . and, once the jackets are all turned mouth-up, the core dropping is always fast and easy . . .

So, in short, people should be aware that ordering a set for X, and intending them to do double/triple length/caliber duty, for Y & Z, should be aware that they're only perfect for one caliber & length, and OK for others - be tolerant of the maker! RG

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

The point of the tray is to make it easier to put the core in the jacket before you seat the core. It saves quite a bit of time. If it were just the jackets, you wouldn't need the tray.

I wished mine had little pin hole alignments in them…. I may go back and do that one day.... but it does make it much easier to load cores. Here I am bumbling with it, but 2 mins to load 200 cores is not bad.

 

[geo.ulrich]

Were you able to touch base with Jimmie Knox?

Yes he was getting a list made up for me...thanks

 

[geo.ulrich]

I wished mine had little pin hole alignments in them…. I may go back and do that one day.... but it does make it much easier to load cores. Here I am bumbling with it, but 2 mins to load 200 cores is not bad.

Wes, lose the tub and go to a cookie sheet ....

 

[butchlambert]

I wished mine had little pin hole alignments in them…. I may go back and do that one day.... but it does make it much easier to load cores. Here I am bumbling with it, but 2 mins to load 200 cores is not bad.

Wes, I found out sausage shaped fingers ain't the best for that operation.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

@geo.ulrich good idea.... I just figured plastic would be better than metal.

@butchlambert now THAT was funny!!!!

 

[geo.ulrich]

they make them glass also but I use metal...