Tubing Jackets

[MIBullets]

I am new to this site wondered if anyone could help me out. I have been making 35 caliber tubing jackets for awhile, but I don't have a really good way to cut my tubing to length before forming. Anyone know of a accurate and fairly inexpensive way to do this? I am using a very cheap little cut-off saw right now.

[talon]

I have used a wood cutting bandsaw using a 14tpi metal cutting blade. I made a simple jig that could be set up to cut 1/2" or 3/8th" copper tubing to the desired length while capturing the cut off lengths to keep them away from the blade and off the floor. The jig was made of wood, using sheet tin where needed. The system worked very well, but cutting that last 'jacket' from the ever dwendling tube length was dangerous and required very close attention.

[Graybeard]

Wouldn't a cut off saw made for cutting arrows to length be about ideal for the purpose?

[MIBullets]

Thanks for the ideas fellas. I have thought about the arrow saaw too. I guess I just haven't looked too hard. Any ideas where to look for one?

[Graybeard]

Google archery supplies and that should get you to folks who sell them or just google arrow cut off saw and it likely will take you directly to them.

[MIBullets]

How about thining the front part of the jacket to initiate bullet expansion? I have used a counter sink to do a few and it work a little, but I would like to thin the jacket a little further down than just the tip. Anyone done this before?

[talon]

When it comes to jacket walls, there are at least two types on the market: parallel and sloping walls. These come in various thicknesses, too. .012,.018, ,035, .065" and so forth, depending on the caliber.  If you try to thin the jacket mouth yourself you run the risk of upsetting the center of balance, and thereby its accuracy. It's much easier to get some sloping walled jackets instead.
 As to using an arrow cutoff saw, the blade is made to cut aluminum or carbon fiber, not copper. It may work for awhile, but too soon the blade will need to be replaced.

[MIBullets]

Yes, it would be easier to just buy the jackets, but for 35 caliber there aren't many choices. So far I have made .035", .030", and reduced some 44 caliber pistol jackets .015". I have also purchased some .030" jackets from Butch H. These are for the most part non-tapered jackets. Do you know of a source for tapered wall 35 caliber jackets that are tapered?

[talon]

I've never been able to find tapered walled jackets above 30 cal. I do have tools to make .338 jackets out of commercial tapered walled .30 cal ones, but that's it.  Getting jackets that you want are one of the three major problems in bullet swaging (Cost, waiting time for tooling, and Jacket selections). I think, however, that for more than just chamfering the lip of a tube jacket, the best way to tapper the wall is by swaging, not cutting.