how much $ to set up for swaging bullets?

[blackpowderbill]

The cost of components is killing me. What is the least expensive way to set up for making jacketed bullets at home?

[talon]

 If you already cast bullets, that would reduce some of the cost. The lead core and full copper jacket will cost about 12 cents. If a common rifle bullet costs about 20 cents at the store, you can "save" 8 cents each: That means you can pay for a bullet swaging setup with about 12,000 bullets, give or take 1 or 2. However, economy is only one factor in swaging bullets, and not one of the driving reasons. If you are going to make small caliber rifle bullets ( up to .25 cal) you can use a reloading press and that will reduce your cost. If you are going to make 3/4 jacketed pistol bullets you can also save a bit by using reloading press swage dies. What caliber bullet(s) are you interested in, and do you cast now? Given that information more exact costs can be given.

[blackpowderbill]

I shoot a lot of .311 bullets. The current cost of component bullets is getting to be painful though. Also there is not a lot choice in  .311 bullets out there. I use it primarily for target shooting and would like to give it  (N04MkII) a try in NRA Vintage rifle comp. To do that I would be firing more bullets than I care to buy at $25 to $30 a box.
I do some casting now.  I cast 175 gr WW bullets for my M03. They shoot well when gaschecked and loaded over 18gr of Unique. I also do a lot of pure lead stuff for my front loaders.

[talon]

If you already have a lead furnace, a bullet (powder) scale, and a caliper used in your reloading efforts, all you need now to make your jacketed .311s is swaging lubricant, some pure lead, and .30 caliber jackets that are of the proper length to make the .311 bullets you want. $750 in additional tooling is needed: a mold to cast a rough lead core, a swaging press that is built for your swaging dies, a 3 die swaging set (to size the lead core to the proper weight, to seat that core in the jacket, and to put the point on the cored jacket) , and perhaps a tool to put a canneluer on the bullet. Purchasing a 'How to' swaging book would be a smart idea, too. It's also very important to get more than one opinion on what you are going to need to make your bullets. You should also be aware that swaging dies take a LONG time to get after you place your order, and that getting the proper length of jacket is so difficult that most swagers either trim their stock issued ones, or compromise on the bullet's weight or air volumn in the 'open tip'.

[Lead pot]

There has been a lot of swaging equipment for sale over the Internet.
I havent looked on E-Bay for some time since they baned gun related things so I don't know if this equipment is still listed there.
You can make your jackets from scrap tubing with dies for making jackets or draw them from flat stock.
For .22 to 6mm jackets you can use rimfire brass if you keep the velocity's down.
for pistol bullets I have used empty 9 mm, .40, .45 pistol brass for jackets and they shoot good in hand guns.
You can get soft drawn copper tubing in just about any diameter and refrigeration tubing and M, L, or K copper pipe and make jackets from it depending how thick you want a jacket for a particular job you want for that bullet. Rifle or hand gun.
Or you can buy jackets in bulk, 1/2, 3/4, or full.
The options are yours when it comes to swaging.
You dont need a swage press for light rim fire jacket rifle bullets or 1/2 or 3/4 jacket pistol bullets. You can get dies and use your heavy O frame loading press man I made a bunch of bullets using them, but it's not the best way to go.
I would highly recommend at least getting a two stage swage press.
Check out both Corbins and CH-4-D and go from there.

Kurt

[Lead pot]

I forgot your .311 diameter bullets.

For that job to make a good match grade bullet I would go with the press and dies.
I don't make the .311 bullets but I do make the .308's in boat tail and rebated bt either in FMJ or hp, and soft point.

Kurt

[blackpowderbill]

I just went to the CH4D site. they can set me up with what I need for about $215. for dies that will work in my heavy duty press. Are they a top notch product? Their pistol dies start at $71.71. I may try that first and then move up to rifle bullets. Since I have thousands of 148 gr WC in .355, would these work as cores to be put into .40 jackets? I figure the completed wt should run around 155gr.

[iiranger]

The corbins: David, corbins.com and Richard, rceco.com. Brothers who don't completely agree. Surprise.

If your cores are hard lead, then they might not swage well and/or put an overload on your press.

Richard was making a reloading press die set for $225.00 that would make simple, flat based .308s in a heavy press. The die to turn rimfire cases into jackets was $65.00. I assume you have a heavy press. .311 would be custom and you could as for a price.

Dave is the more loquacious and has these things in books available on his web site to read, download, etc. No pictures! Awww...

There are others, Mr. Blackmon, Lousiana; the Nemis... but this should get you moving in the right direction. CH has a good rep for what they do. Match? Then you might want to invest a bit more. LUCK.

[Lead pot]

The C&H dies are a good die I have a set for the .44 and .45 but like iiranger said there made for pure lead with 1/2 or 3/4 jackets.
This is not so much for the die capability but for the press to handle the load.
I have used it for 1/25 alloy but you will have to work the die in and out to keep the ram on the very top to get enough pressure.
It was a job even for my big Hollywood press and the RCBS A-4 Big max, but use them for what there designed for and they will get the job done.

Kurt

[FAStevo]

I believe there is a set of .311 dies on E-bay right now just put in Swaging or Swage and hit title and descriptions button..... I think they have a Buy it Now on them. Good luck! Regards, Steve