swaging .224 projectiles
- Thread starter floriosean1
- Start date
There was a former member of CGN that was doing that. He started with with used 22 casings, and got reasonable results, and then began purchasing empty swaged jackets and got better results. But in the end he gave up because it wasn't worth it. It takes up a lot of time because of the need to clean the 22 cases a couple times, and swage each bullet a number of times to get the finished product.
If you want cheap blasting ammo that simply goes bang, with fair accuracy, try out the used 22 casings. Better than factory target accuracy can be obtained when using top quality pre manufactured jackets.
If you want cheap blasting ammo that simply goes bang, with fair accuracy, try out the used 22 casings. Better than factory target accuracy can be obtained when using top quality pre manufactured jackets.
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Unless you have a bunch on money to spend (way more than you will ever make back in made bullets!) or you are able to build the dies yourself (mostly metal lathe work, some heat treating, some lapping, a LOT of accurate measuring), you can pretty much write it off as a hobby for those that really really feel the need to be self sufficient.
If you are wanting to build bullets for accuracy, which since you are asking about 22 rimfire casings, maybe not so much, but anyway, J4 jackets are priced about the same as decent factory bullets already, so that can be a starting point...
A set of Corbin"Free Bullets from Rimfire Jackets" dies is running close to a G-note and a year wait to get. Then you need a press.
The same money will buy you a metal lathe and a bunch of stock to get started though.
Yeah, it can be done. It's not economical unless you can't get them any other way, or you want another hobby.
The swaging forum on casboolits has some other sources, garage operators that are building swage dies. Your money, your call. I'll build rather than buy, as I will always be able to give the maker a hard time if there are problems, eh.
Cheers
Trev
If you are wanting to build bullets for accuracy, which since you are asking about 22 rimfire casings, maybe not so much, but anyway, J4 jackets are priced about the same as decent factory bullets already, so that can be a starting point...
A set of Corbin"Free Bullets from Rimfire Jackets" dies is running close to a G-note and a year wait to get. Then you need a press.
The same money will buy you a metal lathe and a bunch of stock to get started though.
Yeah, it can be done. It's not economical unless you can't get them any other way, or you want another hobby.
The swaging forum on casboolits has some other sources, garage operators that are building swage dies. Your money, your call. I'll build rather than buy, as I will always be able to give the maker a hard time if there are problems, eh.
Cheers
Trev
I do exactly this. I use these for shooting coyotes with my XCR, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. I work at it a little bit every night and after a week, i have 2000. Saves me money, as i shoot LOTS and love the fact its my own bullets.
I made up a de-rimming die, core sizing die, and a core seating die. I didn't get around to making the point forming die. I did make a crude lead wire extruder too.
I made the dies to fit my Lee Classic Cast which is more than strong enough to do .22 jackets.
Extruding lead is the most amusing part. Think 'play-doh fun factory' but with lead.
De-rimming is neat, especially when you try and draw the rim out of 'dud' rounds*. It becomes not neat when you tear through a case and then have to un-sleeve it from the punch. After you're done you clean the cases and put them in the oven on the self-cleaning cycle to anneal them.
Sizing cores is semi-amusing too, along the lines of the extruding lead but not as much.
Seating cores is less-than-epic.
It's really cool for the first hundred jackets, and then the novelty wears off at an exponential rate. It is a LOT of time and effort for very little result and while I never got around to making the point forming die, I don't know how much I would have pursued things even if I had.
I realized in short order that buying Hornady bulk FMJ was a better expenditure of time and money, especially since the .22LR jacketed bullets can't be fired as fast as normal bullets due to the relatively thin jacket.
*note* dud rounds still have enough priming compound in them to make things interesting.
I made the dies to fit my Lee Classic Cast which is more than strong enough to do .22 jackets.
Extruding lead is the most amusing part. Think 'play-doh fun factory' but with lead.
De-rimming is neat, especially when you try and draw the rim out of 'dud' rounds*. It becomes not neat when you tear through a case and then have to un-sleeve it from the punch. After you're done you clean the cases and put them in the oven on the self-cleaning cycle to anneal them.
Sizing cores is semi-amusing too, along the lines of the extruding lead but not as much.
Seating cores is less-than-epic.
It's really cool for the first hundred jackets, and then the novelty wears off at an exponential rate. It is a LOT of time and effort for very little result and while I never got around to making the point forming die, I don't know how much I would have pursued things even if I had.
I realized in short order that buying Hornady bulk FMJ was a better expenditure of time and money, especially since the .22LR jacketed bullets can't be fired as fast as normal bullets due to the relatively thin jacket.
*note* dud rounds still have enough priming compound in them to make things interesting.
I still have a set of Corbin dies that I bought 35-40 years ago! I played with it for awhile. using both .22 case jackets and commercial jackets. I used them in my Rem. 722, cal .222. They were devastating on groundhogs. Might pull them out and play again!
Mike
Mike
Yes that's obvious ,it's the components for most other rifle bullets like copper tubing for jackets they have restricted.If one wishes to further the hobby or small business.Core molds can be bought or like you suggested pistol brass for short jackets.
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so does someone want to do up a complete write up on the process with some pictures that would be suitable for a stickey in this forum??????
sly mantis
CGN Regular
I do this. It is quite a labour intensive processes. derimming cases, casing cores, swaging cores, seating cores, point forming and sizing. I have lots of free time so i do it. Ive gotten good accuracy out of them and its cool shooting stuff ive made. I use them for action shooting competitions and they've served me well. Picture below are two different bullets ive made. left is a 53gr with a airsoft bb formed into a ballistic tip. The right is a 63gr soft point.
sly mantis
CGN Regular
I got a set of Kaine dies (see castboolits.com) used off a guy for $200. Hell of a deal and they dies have paid for themselves quickly. The jackets in the picture above are 22lr cases. You can make them look like copper if you tumble them with some copper BBs.
Thanks! One thing I've not been able to do is clean the bullets once they are made. I have a Dillon Magnum vibrator and the little pills get lost in there.
My 3 die set is from SAS (Ted Smith) Then I got a core swaging and a point forming die from Corbin, 30+ years ago! Just stated playing with them again.
Mike
