Bullet Manufacturing

[Flybuster]

Hi everyone,


I am doing some research on bullet manufacturing and was looking for some online information to read. I am hoping to learn the specifics on what positions are needed to run a facility, types of machinery, processes, cost accounting, etc. I haven’t found what I was looking for through Google searches, so I was hoping someone here would have more specific places to look or links. I’d appreciate any help.



Tanner

 

[StevenDzupin]

Corbin on the left coast has all you'll need for a small business.

http://www.corbins.com/corbin.htm


Regards

Steve

 

[Flybuster]

Corbin on the left coast has all you'll need for a small business.

http://www.corbins.com/corbin.htm


Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for responding. Corbin's site is a great resource, I've learned a lot about setting up my swaging press and the processes for hand swaging.

I'm trying to find information on larger scale bullet manufacturing whose products we buy off the shelves. I understand, due to military contracts some information cannot be talked about. I'm just trying educate myself on the industry, to see if I want a career here in the near future.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Tanner,

I took a quick look at your profile to see what part of the country you are in. Looks to be that you "are" close to Nosler. If I were you I would contact the company and express your interest and present your underlying reasons. Given that you present yourself sincerely & professionally, I am sure that they would assist/answer most of your questions.

I dealt with the company on several occasions prior to Senior's passing and found them to be quite open, honest and very receptive to questions.

I am sure there will be questions they will not answer due to proprietary reasons. BUT!!!! You never know till you ask. I subscribe to the philosophy of "The only stupid question is the one you were afraid to ask!!"

Go for it Man!!

Rod

 

[GermanS1]

Tanner, this link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=GNAqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false


should take you to a book written in 1916 about the manufacture of cartridges, bullets, etc. I know that's a long time ago, but metal forming hasn't changed a whole lot. We just have smaller, faster machinery to do the same jobs. You might find it interesting to read the "old way" as you learn the new ways.

 

[Henryp]

Call Clay Spencer.

 

[KevinThomas]

Hi Tanner,

Most of the presses used in commercial bullet manufacturing today are either Bliss or Waterbury-Ferrell, or sometimes a combination of both. As German mentioned, the technology of forming metal hasn't changed a great deal, and the presses you'll see in use at Nosler, Speer, Sierra and Hornady are fairly ancient. Most date back to WWII or before, and are still cranking out bullets each and every day. They don't really wear out (ever), but just need routine upkeep, the replacement of bearings, journals and tooling to keep them producing. There will be a good many differences in how the machines are set up from one maker to another, since most are modified to produce bullets more or less "on site." In otherwords, Hornady Speer and Sierra may all buy identical surplus presses out of a Govt. Ordnance auction, but will modify them considerably to produced their particular bullets. Think of it as an apple pie, baked by three different cooks, each with their own specific recipie. The result may all be apple pies, but they'll likely be quite different from one another.

What are you looking at setting up here? What I'm describing definately isn't a hobby operation, which is what you're dealing with on single stage presses.

 

[Flybuster]

Tanner,

I took a quick look at your profile to see what part of the country you are in. Looks to be that you "are" close to Nosler. If I were you I would contact the company and express your interest and present your underlying reasons. Given that you present yourself sincerely & professionally, I am sure that they would assist/answer most of your questions.

I dealt with the company on several occasions prior to Senior's passing and found them to be quite open, honest and very receptive to questions.

I am sure there will be questions they will not answer due to proprietary reasons. BUT!!!! You never know till you ask. I subscribe to the philosophy of "The only stupid question is the one you were afraid to ask!!"

Go for it Man!!

Rod

Rod,

I applied to Nosler last fall when they had an opening for a maintenance machinist technician position. The job included a 60 day temporary/ training period to see if you had the aptitude to do the job and if you would be a good fit at Nosler. I sent them a cover letter and a resume, but I didn’t hear back. I didn’t request an interview on the phone because I am still in school, and they needed to fill the spot; I mainly wanted to get my resume in their files. Nosler would be a great company to work for, they build great products. Plus, Bend has a 1000 yard high-power range named after Nosler.

Tanner, this link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=GNAqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false


should take you to a book written in 1916 about the manufacture of cartridges, bullets, etc. I know that's a long time ago, but metal forming hasn't changed a whole lot. We just have smaller, faster machinery to do the same jobs. You might find it interesting to read the "old way" as you learn the new ways.

Hi German,
Thanks for the link. This is the kind of reading I’m interested in. Even thought the print is dated, like you said and Kevin agreed, the machinery most of these modern manufacturers are using is pre-WWII era, not much has changed other than designs and tolerances. Your blog has a lot of interesting history like this book, and I’m glad someone is preserving and collecting it.

Hi Tanner,

Most of the presses used in commercial bullet manufacturing today are either Bliss or Waterbury-Ferrell, or sometimes a combination of both. As German mentioned, the technology of forming metal hasn't changed a great deal, and the presses you'll see in use at Nosler, Speer, Sierra and Hornady are fairly ancient. Most date back to WWII or before, and are still cranking out bullets each and every day. They don't really wear out (ever), but just need routine upkeep, the replacement of bearings, journals and tooling to keep them producing. There will be a good many differences in how the machines are set up from one maker to another, since most are modified to produce bullets more or less "on site." In otherwords, Hornady Speer and Sierra may all buy identical surplus presses out of a Govt. Ordnance auction, but will modify them considerably to produced their particular bullets. Think of it as an apple pie, baked by three different cooks, each with their own specific recipie. The result may all be apple pies, but they'll likely be quite different from one another.

What are you looking at setting up here? What I'm describing definately isn't a hobby operation, which is what you're dealing with on single stage presses.

Hello Kevin,
I am trying to understand as much as I can about the industry and processes so I can be informed if I’m lucky enough to get an interview with a major manufacturer. I also want to see if there is a position I might be compatible with, or if I will have to brush up on some more skills before being considered. The only two positions I am aware of at this moment are maintenance machinist tech, and electrician like our friend Wayne (bozo669).

I am sure there are other labor positions for unskilled laborers such as material handling, quality control, etc. Right now I don’t have trade skills in either machinist tech or electrician. I went to school for business administration management; so that may be valuable in the future, but not right now just starting out. I am looking at getting my foot in the door as labor, since I already have 9 years of manufacturing experience.

I think knowing some of the jargon, positions, and other industry specific information would help me narrow down what it is I want to do, and help me communicate with the hiring professionals.

Thanks for some of the insight on the machinery used. I think I’ve read some of your posts before discussing how old some of these machines really are. Also it’s interesting how each manufacturer has taken the same machine and modified them for their own usage. The nuances between what one manufacturer does and another does would exist, but any general information is great.





Thanks again everyone.

 

[Flybuster]

Call Clay Spencer.

Hi Henry,

I'm set up right now to swage by hand as a hobbyist. I've been making some bullets for about 6 months now for my competitions and I'm happy with my results so far. I feel that hand swaging is better left as a hobby or perhaps supplemental income in the future. But I would like to be part of the industry and work for an industry leader. They always say join a career or field you enjoy doing, so I want to work in the shooting industry.

On another subject: Did you catch your friend Bill Still on the History Channel? He was discussing Fort Knox gold.

 

[bozo699]

Call Clay Spencer.

Hi Henry,

I'm set up right now to swage by hand as a hobbyist. I've been making some bullets for about 6 months now for my competitions and I'm happy with my results so far. I feel that hand swaging is better left as a hobby or perhaps supplemental income in the future. But I would like to be part of the industry and work for an industry leader. They always say join a career or field you enjoy doing, so I want to work in the shooting industry.

On another subject: Did you catch your friend Bill Still on the History Channel? He was discussing Fort Knox gold.

Tanner,
Clay's setup is just like yours really just more of the single stage presses, he makes very good bullets on these little presses. After measuring up your bullets I am not sure his are any better then your's I cannot wait to get one of my 6brx's done so I can shoot the sample you sent me
Wayne.

 

[Flybuster]

Call Clay Spencer.

Hi Henry,

I'm set up right now to swage by hand as a hobbyist. I've been making some bullets for about 6 months now for my competitions and I'm happy with my results so far. I feel that hand swaging is better left as a hobby or perhaps supplemental income in the future. But I would like to be part of the industry and work for an industry leader. They always say join a career or field you enjoy doing, so I want to work in the shooting industry.

On another subject: Did you catch your friend Bill Still on the History Channel? He was discussing Fort Knox gold.

Tanner,
Clay's setup is just like yours really just more of the single stage presses, he makes very good bullets on these little presses. After measuring up your bullets I am not sure his are any better then your's I cannot wait to get one of my 6brx's done so I can shoot the sample you sent me
Wayne.

Thanks Wayne! My friend in Homedale tried them out on some coyotes at his ranch and they worked for stopping them in their tracks. 4/5 coyotes he shot stopped right where they were hit, only one of them made a few more steps. All the shots were over 250 yards. Just what I was hoping for.

 

[johngcs]

If you're still interested, I am selling my bullet manufacturing business. Let me know if you want details.

 

[quest450]

last post 2/15/2012