Making Bullets

[dcali]

I'm thinking about trying my hand at making some bullets (not commercially) - any tips from guys who've been around that block?

I'm interested in long range boat tail type designs, starting with .30 caliber.

What are the pros and cons of the various die makers out there? Best source for jackets & lead?

I've been browsing the web a bit, but it seems like this stuff gets out of date quickly in terms of who's making what and where to get it. What's the current state of things?

 

[Richard Coody]

looks like a pretty expensive hobby but would be lots of fun.

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

 

[JRS]

George Ulrich for the dies.

 

[dcali]

It's my understanding that George Ulrich only makes carbide dies? What about steel? I'm purely looking at low production, and I'm reading that carbide is much more expensive, although more cost effective at high volume.

 

[JRS]

It's my understanding that George Ulrich only makes carbide dies? What about steel? I'm purely looking at low production, and I'm reading that carbide is much more expensive, although more cost effective at high volume.

In that case, if Larry Blackmon is still making them, he would be your best bet.

bulletswaging@gmail.com

Phone: 318-387-3266
Cell: 318-372-1634

 

[butchlambert]

It's my understanding that George Ulrich only makes carbide dies? What about steel? I'm purely looking at low production, and I'm reading that carbide is much more expensive, although more cost effective at high volume.

You better just buy commercial bullets. Even with steel dies you will have a large investment.
George Ulrich is the MAN for top bullet making tooling and dies.

 

[liljoe]

Figure about $4000 to get setup and begin making bullets. I have just recently made my first bullets.
George is a great guy to deal with and won't steer you wrong.
It's a huge investment and you might not make any better than what you can buy.
Joe Hynes

 

[dcali]

I get that this will cost me. I'm not doing it to save money. I've seen Larry Blackmon's website, and his prices seem very reasonable to me. I'll give him a buzz.

Anyone have George Ulrich's contact info? I can't seem to track it down on the web.

 

[butchlambert]

I get that this will cost me. I'm not doing it to save money. I've seen Larry Blackmon's website, and his prices seem very reasonable to me. I'll give him a buzz.

Anyone have George Ulrich's contact info? I can't seem to track it down on the web.

What is his website? Where are his prices?

 

[dcali]

http://bulletswagingsupply.com/

 

[dcali]

By the way, to any of these die makers that want a functioning website, shoot me a message. I do it for a living. Man, these guys are hard to track down.

 

[butchlambert]

Thanks,
What do you think that you will need? I would visit with both Larry and George before spending any money. You need to price and find out the availability of jackets. To save money on tooling you will need to find somebody to cut and size your cores.
It goes on and on.

 

[JRS]

By the way, to any of these die makers that want a functioning website, shoot me a message. I do it for a living. Man, these guys are hard to track down.

Leave a message, and, be patient.

 

[dcali]

I'll talk to whomever I can find. My goal, if it winds up being reasonable (ha!) is to make some bullets that the manufacturers might shy away from - maybe try something with very low drag, but has transonic stability issues. This is why carbide makes me nervous. some of the things I want to try just might not work! Basically, I want to try some experiments. I anticipate needing multiple dies for boat tails and noses, for example.

I contacted Berger about jackets, and they said just call and order. Are they any less available than bullets are in general?

 

[JRS]

I'll talk to whomever I can find. My goal, if it winds up being reasonable (ha!) is to make some bullets that the manufacturers might shy away from - maybe try something with very low drag, but has transonic stability issues. This is why carbide makes me nervous. some of the things I want to try just might not work! Basically, I want to try some experiments. I anticipate needing multiple dies for boat tails and noses, for example.

I contacted Berger about jackets, and they said just call and order. Are they any less available than bullets are in general?

A phone call to Bart's bullets might answer your question about jackets, and to save yourself money and time, have Charlie Hood make your cores. Randy Robinett can tell you what will, or, might not, work.

 

[people]

By the way, to any of these die makers that want a functioning website, shoot me a message. I do it for a living. Man, these guys are hard to track down.

That might just be your hook. Most companies in the firearms business have horrible web pages. My joke about NightForce is we make scopes not webpages.

The only issue I can see is a company might be working with a company that maintains their webpage.

 

[dcali]

That might just be your hook. Most companies in the firearms business have horrible web pages. My joke about NightForce is we make scopes not webpages.

The only issue I can see is a company might be working with a company that maintains their webpage.

I was joking, but now that you mention it, tech folks and gun folks often don't speak the same languages. Could be a niche there. (Just go to silicon valley and see what I mean... bunch of hyper PC hipsters in tight pants).

 

[people]

I was joking, but now that you mention it, tech folks and gun folks often don't speak the same languages. Could be a niche there. (Just go to silicon valley and see what I mean... bunch of hyper PC hipsters in tight pants).

OK. I was hopping we could get some good webpages. I have dealt with the hipster type. They are a horrible group. They are overly sensitive.

 

[dcali]

OK. I was hopping we could get some good webpages. I have dealt with the hipster type. They are a horrible group. They are overly sensitive.

The trouble is that good web pages cost $$$, especially e-commerce sites. Nightforce can afford it (and honestly, they're far from the worst offenders). But a lot of the one man shops really have no need as they're at full capacity as it is. Although they could probably spend a lot less time on the phone answering questions if they put some effort into some decent sites.

 

[liljoe]

The trouble is that good web pages cost $$$, especially e-commerce sites. Nightforce can afford it (and honestly, they're far from the worst offenders). But a lot of the one man shops really have no need as they're at full capacity as it is. Although they could probably spend a lot less time on the phone answering questions if they put some effort into some decent sites.

Hey,
I sent you a PM.
Joe Hynes