What equipment please...

[Brit Guy]

I would like to set up making my own swaged bullets, but after looking at both the Corbin and the RCE websites I am totally bemused by all the options.

Basically, I have cast my own bullets in the past, however, since the powers that be (British government) banned pistol shooting, I have had little cause to do so, as all of my shooting has been rifle, with bought ammunition. My wife and I are moving to New Zealand soon, and one of the first things I will be doing is purchasing a ‘crap load’ of pistols so I can once again take up the sport I love and have missed for so long.

Anyway, I have always been fascinated with the concept of producing my own jacketed bullets, ever since I saw a demo by at a gun show about twenty years ago, where this guy was knocking out jacketed bullets which looked every bit as good as what you could buy. I couldn’t afford the setup back then, but now I guess I could, but just need some guidance as to what to buy… so here I am.

I guess I would like to start out producing jacketed hunting bullets for my .308, and varminting bullets for my 22-250, also hollow point .44s, so, I would really appreciate any input here guys, as what to purchase and where from (it seems you favour RCE dies)……. Thanks all.

[sideironjohn]

Congrats on getting out of "Great" Britain.
I'm just getting into swaging myself, and I can sympathize with the confusion.
Basically, you need a press, and three-die set (four if you want to make a fine, lead tip; five if you want a boattail.) The press somewhat dictates the dies, since there's about four different size dies that don't interchange.
The Walnut Hills from RCE seems to be a great buy, from everyone's acct.
It's what I ended up with.
Once you choose a press, you need to decide on a caliber, a jacket thickness and a point style. Later you can add different point formers, but if you change jacket thickness you'll need a new set.
So, for about $550 you can get a press and three-die set, then get you some lead wire, lube and jackets and you're set.
If you have an idea of the cartridges you'd like to make bullets for, you might have more than one in the same caliber (38 Sp & 357, e.g.,) which might make it easier to choose your die set. The .452" Colt/Cassul can be sized to .451" for ACP also.
Hope this helped.
 :-)

[talon]

When you get to your new location, find out if there's a ready supply of lead. That's one item that it just doesn't pay to have shipped in in small quantities ( less than 500#). If you are real lucky, you'll find a local supply of lead wire in the size you can use, but more than likely, if you find a supply at all, it will be scrap lead. Then, you should consider casting your own cores. While I'm ignorant as to jacket supplies 'down under', pistol jackets, and rifle jackets that are for bullets less than .32 caliber, are comparatively easy to find/ have shipped in from the 'States. Delivery time isn't bad either. It's Rifle jackets above .32 caliber that are few and far between with 4 -8 months delivery time being the norm. As far as delivery times go, you've most likely read in these posts of the lengthy waiting time for dies. Unless you can find a prior owned ( used) set, this wait is long indeed. But, a used set may not have the nose designs you are interested in, and the punches to make it usuable for you will likewise take ages to get. And, one thing that isn't stressed more than it should be is that while the seating dies for any given caliber are more-or-less exactly the same diameter, the punches are not... you will need a different diameter seating punch for each thickness of jacket wall you end up using. Lastly, I should mention that on the Corbins Company web site there is, for free downloading, their Swaging Handbook #8. While it lacks the pictures of the hard copy book, there's enough pictures on other pages of that site to give you a good idea of what the various dies, punches, and other gear that is spoken of looks like. Frankly, before you go any further with your swaging desires, you most definitely have to read this book... preferably 2 or 3 times.   Lastly, make sure your local governmental authorities approve of your bullet swaging desires. Sometimes, in certain countries, there are harsh restrictions and very stiff penalities for those who start making bullets/cartridges without proper authority.

[Brit Guy]

Thanks guys... some real good advice here... and a good link cv73 :grin:

[iiranger]

:shock: I would add two things.

ch4d.com has die sets, very reasonable and for the reloading press, the big presses, that do pistol bullets and light rifle bullets, you mention .44, and give you a very cheap way to start and learn. The .308 would make you a bullet very useful in the .30/30, but a little puny for the .308 Nato.

And Mr. Corbins free ebooks down load are a little easier to find on his site, swage.com. GREAT guidance. Study it and if you are not discouraged, buy the hard copies with which you will get a catalogue... (and if you buy from Mr. Dave Corbin once, you get on the sale flyer list where you can save some if they have what you think you want on sale... And see the list and "DREAM...") enjoy...

[Cowboybart]

I'm sure you've done this , but check your laws.   When I was in New Zealand ('92) handguns were almost non-existent.  I tried several shops and they all said you can't own one  or hunt w/ one.   They may have been making a complicated answer simple - kinda what people in the US do about machine guns.   It is easier to say you can't own one than to explain what needs to be done in order to own one. 
Good Luck

[sixgun_symphony]

You may want to consider the .44 WCF (.44-40), .38 WCF (.38-40), and .32 WCF (.32-20) chamberings as they are rifle cartridges that were also popular chamberings for revolvers too. This fact might get you around some of the more draconian gun laws regarding handgun ammunition.

 

[MIBullets]

Here is a link a got a while back when I was searching for jackets. He is in Australia, close to New Zealand! I don't see jackets on his site but I emailed him and he did give me some prices.

http://www.bulletmaker.com/

[shootergdv]

Forget NZ and move over to the colonies ! MOST states here you can still buy/own/shoot dang near anything !