Swaging Cast Bullets?

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Anyone swaging cast bullets to change nose or square up base/Gas Check?

[Rick Teal]

Someone with more experience should probably answer this, but I'll give it a shot.

The way I see it, if you propose to do this there are two things to think about. 

The harness of the lead.  Most "lead" cast bullets aren't pure lead and, therefore, much harder than pure lead.  This could break your dies.  Check the hardness of these bullets and consult your die maker.

More than just the tip will likely be re-formed.  I'm thinking of the gas rings around many lead bullets.  These will likely be deformed if not obliterated.

[ANeat]

I take cast bullets and swage them.  For example I had some commercial cast H&G130 bullets that didnt shoot worth a darn in my gun so I swaged them into 185 swchp,  and they shot great
 
  Takes a stout press to swage commercial hard cast.
 
 

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Rick Teal, and thanks for reply.  Your right about the possibility of die breakage..but my alloy's aren't that hard.  and the bullets are lubed before swaging to support grooves, as grease is not compressable.   the bullets I swage are .22 cal. this probably helps as far as die breakage goes.  I swage the Saeco and Eagen MX bullets..nose shape on the Eagan comes out looking like a Remington Yellow Jacket .22 L.R. the Saeco ends up having a very long round nose.  But the best part is the gas check is perfectly square and perpendicular to bullets base & sides.  A Ruger No. 1 in .222Rem. just loves these..I am able to equal the best jacketed match bullet accuracy with these cast/swaged bullets..1/2" to 5/8" groups at 100yds.

[Rickk]

I do it all the time. I start with a cast bullet of the appropriate weight, lube it, size it to make it undersize to fit in the die, and then swage it to make a very unique nose ( a bowling pin load ).

I have added gas checks as well, no big deal... especially if you start with a cast bullet intended for a gas check to begin with.

I am using Corbin dies, and Lyman #2-ish alloy, and have had no problems with dies breaking, even in 44 caliber.

[Seth Hawkins]

I have swaged .44-cal paper patch bullets that dropped from a mould as tapered bullets.  I have to be careful getting the bullet into the die, as it is already at finished diameter.  Since I cast them, I know they are pure lead, and my PF die's external punch is stout enough to get that last half of the bullet into the die without undue stress.  My equipment is a Corbin CSP-2 with Corbin dies.