It was recently suggested to me to up my game, I should consider getting set up and learning to swage my own bullets. I know little or nothing about swaging bullets, process, equipment, supplies, cost effectiveness, etc. Was wondering if anyone could get me pointed in the right direction, any advice appreciated.
Bullet swaging questions.
- Thread starter JDBraddy
- Start date
Eddie Harren
Member
Swaging Bullets
"Then when you get done, you realize you can't make as good of bullets as you can buy."
If that quote is true, please explain why all of the top level BR shooters use custom swaged bullets.
"Then when you get done, you realize you can't make as good of bullets as you can buy."
If that quote is true, please explain why all of the top level BR shooters use custom swaged bullets.
Here's the deal...and I write this from experience. The bullets you make will shoot well in somebody's rifle but maybe not your rifle. Bullet makers tend to shoot their bullets, win or lose, when there's a particular bullet that might shoot better...or even best. Those that have gathered multiple pointing dies have a better chance of making a bullet that will win given any barrel. Does a ten thousandth here or there matter? Yes, it does matter.
That said, there are dies that make a bullet that will shoot well in many barrels and some dies that make a bullet that will shoot well in only a few barrels. Thing is, you don't know what you'll get and you simply can't make a judgement using a micrometer. You have to shoot the darn things and see what happens.
That said, there are dies that make a bullet that will shoot well in many barrels and some dies that make a bullet that will shoot well in only a few barrels. Thing is, you don't know what you'll get and you simply can't make a judgement using a micrometer. You have to shoot the darn things and see what happens.
Didn't answer the question!
Don't know what the cost is these days but I'll list some items needed to make bullets.
Nearly pure lead wire
Jackets
Various lubricants
Short board to roll the wire straight
Core cutter
Core swaging die
Core cleaner (various methods)
Bullet block (optional)
Jacket washer (various)
Core seating die
Pointing die
The core seating and pointing die may be steel or carbide but the core swaging die is likely steel. Carbide is way more expensive than steel but will last a long, long time. If you plan to make bullets just for yourself then steel is the better choice (opinion). Another consideration is that you might be able to sell carbide dies, should you desire, but steel dies don't sell very well....on average.
Don't know what the cost is these days but I'll list some items needed to make bullets.
Nearly pure lead wire
Jackets
Various lubricants
Short board to roll the wire straight
Core cutter
Core swaging die
Core cleaner (various methods)
Bullet block (optional)
Jacket washer (various)
Core seating die
Pointing die
The core seating and pointing die may be steel or carbide but the core swaging die is likely steel. Carbide is way more expensive than steel but will last a long, long time. If you plan to make bullets just for yourself then steel is the better choice (opinion). Another consideration is that you might be able to sell carbide dies, should you desire, but steel dies don't sell very well....on average.
redrockranger
Member
Bullet swaging
What is the highest level do you think you can successfully compete at ? At some point in the swaging process you will most likely question ,do i want to shoot or swage bullets. It's a lot of work. Many good bullet wagers out there . You should be able to find a bullet that will work. Quality swaging equipment is not inexpensive and will likely cost almost what a new competition rifle will cost.
What is the highest level do you think you can successfully compete at ? At some point in the swaging process you will most likely question ,do i want to shoot or swage bullets. It's a lot of work. Many good bullet wagers out there . You should be able to find a bullet that will work. Quality swaging equipment is not inexpensive and will likely cost almost what a new competition rifle will cost.
Harley Baker
Member
Making bullets
Joe, I think you are a little low on your number. I think it is closer to $9000 to get set up with an inventory of supplies. I pondered over making my on bullets for years because I thought that there was “Black Magic” involved. I did my homework and asked a million questions before taking the leap. It has been a frustrating journey and I am just beginning.
As to what is the highest level you can compete at, just look at the NBRSA Nationals results. 4-gun 13 of top 20 3- gun. 10 of top 13 and 2 gun 9 of top 11 make their own bullets.
It is just a decision you have to make. Most of these bullet makers do not sell their bullets to the public so it is not a profit center for them. I feel at least I can control my quality level, this is not saying that I can make a better bullet but I can try my best to make the best bullet and what a great satisfaction it is when you shoot with your own bullets and finish strong.
Harley Baker
Joe, I think you are a little low on your number. I think it is closer to $9000 to get set up with an inventory of supplies. I pondered over making my on bullets for years because I thought that there was “Black Magic” involved. I did my homework and asked a million questions before taking the leap. It has been a frustrating journey and I am just beginning.
As to what is the highest level you can compete at, just look at the NBRSA Nationals results. 4-gun 13 of top 20 3- gun. 10 of top 13 and 2 gun 9 of top 11 make their own bullets.
It is just a decision you have to make. Most of these bullet makers do not sell their bullets to the public so it is not a profit center for them. I feel at least I can control my quality level, this is not saying that I can make a better bullet but I can try my best to make the best bullet and what a great satisfaction it is when you shoot with your own bullets and finish strong.
Harley Baker
antelopedundee
internet bum
Do they make their own or buy them? Chances are they buy them from someone who who has put forth the effort to make the quality the market demands or they make enough to fill their needs and sell some extras once their product becomes known.
jackie schmidt
New member
We have quite a few top quality bullet makers that supply bullets for winners throughout the shooting season.
True, many shooters make their own. I did at one time, I still have all of my equipment.
But I can not make a better Bullet than I can buy from a top notch Benchrest Bullet Maker.
So I buy mine. At this time, I shoot both BIB's and Barts.
True, many shooters make their own. I did at one time, I still have all of my equipment.
But I can not make a better Bullet than I can buy from a top notch Benchrest Bullet Maker.
So I buy mine. At this time, I shoot both BIB's and Barts.
Dave Coots
64 Chevy 409 10.42 129
Not sure what my entry cost into bullet making was, but I sure agree with Mr Baker on the rest of his points. I've still got a lot to learn about bullet making. But, winter is long here in Iowa and I need to stay busy.
Later
Dave
Later
Dave
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I really enjoyed making BR bullets. There are a lot of subtle things that add up to a great bullet....if you're a meticulous and mechanically inquisitive person, it can be very satisfying.
The best piece of 'equipment' to have a is a mentor that makes great bullets and is familiar with the dies you're going to use.
Good shootin'. -Al
The best piece of 'equipment' to have a is a mentor that makes great bullets and is familiar with the dies you're going to use.
Good shootin'. -Al
Making your own bullets
I totally agree with both Harley Baker and Al Nyhus, you need the best equipment you can afford and a GOOD mentor and like Harley said what a pleasure when you win a match with your own bullets!
I really enjoyed making BR bullets. There are a lot of subtle things that add up to a great bullet....if you're a meticulous and mechanically inquisitive person, it can be very satisfying.
The best piece of 'equipment' to have a is a mentor that makes great bullets and is familiar with the dies you're going to use.
Good shootin'. -Al
I totally agree with both Harley Baker and Al Nyhus, you need the best equipment you can afford and a GOOD mentor and like Harley said what a pleasure when you win a match with your own bullets!
Here's some of the down side.
Before I got my dies, presses, jackets, er, whatever.....I axed a lot of questions.
And I got a 30-45 min discussion/lecture on the bad side of making bullets. This guy will remain name less.....he makes really good bullets...
But, the guy who talked me into it. More of a shove off the cliff..... He is gone.
Anyway.
You can get good jackets these days. And last heard there is no shortage. Thanks Bart and George.....!!! It might take months to get jackets....
Lead sometimes takes months. Charlie Hood has the best lead cores. And I don't know of anyone making Lead cores, but Charlie Hood.
"In the before times". Less than 10 yrs ago. Jackets and lead could make BAD BULLETS! And it's not the bullet makers fault.....
Then your dies/bullets may not work. With your barrels.....
I took off a barrel 3 weeks ago. Gave it to another guy. He's very happy with it. Bart's Ultra's(really old and from another guy....) and this barrel worked. Old bullets and a new barrel worked. That is not the norm.
Once the bullets are gone, they are gone......and you have a chunk of junk stainless steel that won't shoot.....
Best group I could get at 200y was a .313" at Holton(next was a 1.4"). And No zero's at 100y. Can't win with no zero's......
Before I got my dies, presses, jackets, er, whatever.....I axed a lot of questions.
And I got a 30-45 min discussion/lecture on the bad side of making bullets. This guy will remain name less.....he makes really good bullets...
But, the guy who talked me into it. More of a shove off the cliff..... He is gone.
Anyway.
You can get good jackets these days. And last heard there is no shortage. Thanks Bart and George.....!!! It might take months to get jackets....
Lead sometimes takes months. Charlie Hood has the best lead cores. And I don't know of anyone making Lead cores, but Charlie Hood.
"In the before times". Less than 10 yrs ago. Jackets and lead could make BAD BULLETS! And it's not the bullet makers fault.....
Then your dies/bullets may not work. With your barrels.....
I took off a barrel 3 weeks ago. Gave it to another guy. He's very happy with it. Bart's Ultra's(really old and from another guy....) and this barrel worked. Old bullets and a new barrel worked. That is not the norm.
Once the bullets are gone, they are gone......and you have a chunk of junk stainless steel that won't shoot.....
Best group I could get at 200y was a .313" at Holton(next was a 1.4"). And No zero's at 100y. Can't win with no zero's......
Yep. It's great.
Only won 1 2-gun......3 range records, and almost beat the 2 gun record .1931. My 2 gun score .1945....so close....
7 plaques and 1 trophy. Then 4 plaques at the ER winter meeting.....
That was a good weekend.........
Probably the worst place to start if interested in Benchrest quality bullets.
Contact George Ulrich or Dave Detsch, they know what it takes to compete!
antelopedundee
internet bum
Will the die makers supply you with a duplicate set of dies that they've made for another bullet maker? I assume if you have a bullet/s that shoots in your gun/s that that's what you'd want to make for yourself.
I suppose it's possible to duplicate bullet dies...never actually seen it done. I had a die made to duplicate that Euber bullet that everybody was caught up with at the time and it was really, really close...but not the same bullet. Was difficult to find a difference but it was indeed different.
And I agree on too many levels to mention...Corbin is not the place to go when buying bullet dies for Benchrest shooting. Pistol, hunting rifle, casual target rifle.....but not competition Benchrest.
And I agree on too many levels to mention...Corbin is not the place to go when buying bullet dies for Benchrest shooting. Pistol, hunting rifle, casual target rifle.....but not competition Benchrest.
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antelopedundee
internet bum
Or as close a copy of a die that it's practical to make. What do the bullet makers do to provide a consistent/identical product if/when a set of dies wear out?