Bullets from brass

[antiqueguy]

Would the Russian die be used for nose / point forming?

Yes And I’m sure for .366 theirs something that could be used look for shoulder diameters.

I have a pic of a .458 bullet formed that way with the point formed in a x54r die but I can’t insert it for whatever reason.

 

[antiqueguy]

I would like to experiment with it myself mainly for the .458. I think if you were to use a tinning flux you could bond the core in. The bullet in the pic I was talking about he used a .44 mag cast bullet I think this would be the best option rather then pouring from the lead pot just to get consistent core weights.

 

[jamesharrison]

So would you have to cut off the bottom of the 54R die in order to get the shoulder / nose formed? ps I like it!

 

[antiqueguy]

So would you have to cut off the bottom of the 54R die in order to get the shoulder / nose formed? ps I like it!

View attachment 1050805

Just use a lee bullet sizing punch and or an extension on one if needed. Obviously decaper/expander removed all you should need is a punch to pop back out.

You would want to fully anneal the brass to a red heat. Clean it then if memory serves me right seat the core using whatever die you are using for point forming by inserting the case headstamp up and the core in the mouth using the lee sizing punch.
That step could be mitigated by melting the core into the jacket(with tinning flux added for a bonded core optional).
Then you would size the bullet in a push through sizing die with brass their will be spring back so a .457 die you may end up with .458 or so.
Then the point forming step and a final sizing after point forming.

Part of me what’s to see what kind of effect a straight unformed headstamp first projectile would do kind of like a 100% meplate bullet.

For .458 or even this .366 deal you could use nato brass it will be thicker then the sporting version. If any of it is still around 8x63 brass could be interesting and since it is slightly bigger it could be used .474 bullets for say .470 nitro.

 

[BassAckwards]

I make my bullets out of 9mm cases and 223 cases cut down to one inch. I made a swage block out of 1 3/4" piece of mild steel. Used to drive them through with a hammer(caveman style) but purchased an arbour press, which made things much easier, and less painfull! I made a pointing die out of an expander die with a 9mm powder funnel upside down inside for the long ogive and another die with a smaller funnel for a second short ogive and finally a 45/70 rounded seater die to finish the tip! Hope my random experiments help. Not sure how to send these pictures, may need more posts for approval?

Bass

https://share.icloud.com/photos/08e7QE6T-zzJuRO8VtkaYeT9Q

 

[BassAckwards]

I use cast bullets or buckshot balls for uniformity in weights. I've cooked them in a dutch oven with flux to make bonded bullets for my 9.3. Took a nice buck last year with a 250gr in the 358 win.

 

[Hunter1970]

Started making 44 RM and 45 Colt from the buckets of 40 S&W brass I've collected over the years.

 

[antiqueguy]

Started making 44 RM and 45 Colt from the buckets of 40 S&W brass I've collected over the years.

About the best use for that eh. What the process much like I discussed or actual swaging equipment.

 

[Hunter1970]

I take the 40, anneal it, then SS pin polish. Expand and swage in a soft cast 10mm 175g TC bullet (upside down). I start the nose forming via a blank die set. Then nose form into a 8mm FL size die. I use a ball punch to knock the formed bullet out of the die. Then, lube, and one trip through a NOE push through sizer. Cannelure added last. All done on a lee classic press.

I have given so much 40 S&W away to guys I know that have them, they don't want them any more . I never had 40, always 10mm. The empties use to be as plentiful as spent 22 on the ranges I frequent; not so much anymore though.

 

[antiqueguy]

I take the 40, anneal it, then SS pin polish. Expand and swage in a soft cast 10mm 175g TC bullet (upside down). I start the nose forming via a blank die set. Then nose form into a 8mm FL size die. I use a ball punch to knock the formed bullet out of the die. Then, lube, and one trip through a NOE push through sizer. Cannelure added last. All done on a lee classic press.

I have given so much 40 S&W away to guys I know that have them, they don't want them any more . I never had 40, always 10mm. The empties use to be as plentiful as spent 22 on the ranges I frequent; not so much anymore though.

At the range here 9mm .40 and .45 just get left on the floor. Not much use reloading stuff you can buy on the cheap.

 

[BassAckwards]

I've got a bunch of 45acp brass and was thinking of making some 45-70 bullets out of them, I've got a .452, 230gr mould, which should fill the case for a decent swaged bullet, anyone tried anything like that?

 

[antiqueguy]

I've got a bunch of 45acp brass and was thinking of making some 45-70 bullets out of them, I've got a .452, 230gr mould, which should fill the case for a decent swaged bullet, anyone tried anything like that?

That’s basically what my post is. Anneal the brass run it drop in the bullet run it through the sizer. you may need to put the brass base first in the sizing die you use for point forming to fully seat the core possibly a smaller lee sizing punch as well poke it out form the point run it back through the sizer.

May need more lead though depending on weight your going for a 230 will make something around 300gr. These are going to open fast and have core separation.

My plan is to make a mold to cast the lead into the cases. Anneal the cases and while their still hot use a bit of tinning flux inside drop these in the mold cast in the core this should in theory bond the core then size and point form. Any .473 brass could be used for .458 diameter bullets .45 acp .30-06 .308 7.62x51 ect a good way to use up berdan primed rifle brass rhat you don’t want to bother converting to boxer. The 8x63 brass floating around could be used for .474 bullets for .470 nitro ect.

 

[BassAckwards]

Thanks Antique Guy! I've got lots of scrap .473 based brass laying about also, looks like it's time to get back out to the old mad scientists shop and figure out how to swage some .458 bullets. I would ideally like them to be close to 400gr.

 

[BassAckwards]

Here are the ones I make outa 9mm and 223 cases, I've just started experimenting with the thick, soft copper insert. Haven't tried them on any media yet to see how they expand?

 

[antiqueguy]

View attachment 1060519
Here are the ones I make outa 9mm and 223 cases, I've just started experimenting with the thick, soft copper insert. Haven't tried them on any media yet to see how they expand?

Jugs of wet pack are a decent substitute for ballistics gel basically just west newsprint packed tightly inside of whatever jugs.

 

[antiqueguy]

Thanks Antique Guy! I've got lots of scrap .473 based brass laying about also, looks like it's time to get back out to the old mad scientists shop and figure out how to swage some .458 bullets. I would ideally like them to be close to 400gr.

Point forming for .458 7.62x54r full length die with the decapping assembly removed. Will need a lee sizing punch and something to poke them out of the die with as welll as some sizing lube.

 

[BassAckwards]

I don't have a Russian die, I wonder if a 308 die will work just as well?

 

[BassAckwards]

I swage these ones out of 223 for the 358 win. No movement whatsoever from blacktails once hit with these! They shoot okay for homemade, about 11/2" accuracy