Swaging COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
06-05-2007, 06:29 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7
Swaging COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
Hi Again:
Well, let's see here, just how best to answer the question...COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
All this kind of depends upon just how much one wishes to spend and possibly upon if the purchase is a one off, or one where maybe over time you may be adding one or more sets to expand the pleasures.
Another way of stating this, would be, if all you are interested in is the .172 cal then possibly the following may be sufficient:
Firstly, it's much easier to simply cut and past the information from the corbin website page of http://www.corbins.com/starting.htm which will give the basics.
Secondly the basic set up is:
1) A press
2) Die Set
3) Car tire lead weights, or at least some source for the lead you are going to need. Which also can be purchased from of course whom else but Corbin.
4) Jackets will also need to be purchased and those too can be purchsed from Corbin. In my case, because I do a great deal of practice with .22 cal, I simply use the brass .22 cal spent cases and they work great when pressed or put through resizing dies and come out as .172 jackets. Rather neat having "r" or "S" or "cci" and others pressed right into the middle of the base of each jacket (bullet).
--- So now you have a jacket, into which lead is placed, this assembly gets placed into a die and now using a point forming die, you "SWAGE" all the parts together and the result is the neatest little bullet you've ever seen, and YOU MADE IT YOURSELF.
BTW, you could have shortened the amount of lead, and placed a tiny poly-ball into the front end of the jacket, so the final formed bullet has a poly-tip on it which most of my bullets have.
Anyway, that's pretty much it.
Whith the investments made into several die sets, from .10 to .480 ou would be amazed at the diversification of bullets you can custom make and for which you can easily charge custom prices. Kind of depends upon your nich market place. Some of the ones I've made sell for approx $22.00 for each bullet with a min quantity of 50 units each.($1100.00) and all this grew out of one single set of dies, then more were added (used) into which a small business happened.
[hr]Copyright 2007 Corbin - http://www.corbins.com/starting.htm
[hr]
Dies are classified by the kind of press they fit, and the kind of operation they perform. [ul][*]
Type -R Dies
Dies whose catalog number ends with -R fit a standard 7/8-14 thread reloading press with slotted ram, similar to the RCBS Rockchucker. The die goes into the press head, like a reloading press die. The external punch fits into the press ram, like a shell holder. Ejection is by means of a plunger or knock-out rod in the top of the die.[*]
Type -S Dies
Dies whose catalog number ends with -S fit the Corbin S-Press and the Corbin Hydro-Mite bench model hydraulic press. The dies have 5/8-24 threads and fit into the press ram, so you can drop parts into the die mouth. The press head is 7/8-14 threaded. The press comes with a floating punch holder, which is used to hold and adjust the position of the external punch. This punch pushes components into the die and applies pressure to them. Ejection is automatic on the down stroke.[*]
Type -H Dies
Dies whose catalog number ends with -H fit the Corbin Hydro-Press, Mega-Mite Press, and Hydro Junior. These dies have 1-inch x 12 threads and a 1.5-inch main body. The dies fit the press ram. The external punch fits a floating punch holder (which comes with each press). The punch holder goes in the top or head of the press, and adjusts the position of the punch. Ejection is automatic on the down stroke.[*]Type -M Dies
Early Corbin dies for the discontinued Mity Mite and Silver Press used a 3/4-inch diameter body with 5/8-24 threaded shank. These dies are made today on special order to fit the early model presses. They have been replaced by the type -S dies. [/ul] [ol][*]A jacketed bullet with a step or shoulder between nose and shank can be made with two dies, called the core swage (CSW-1) and the core seater (CS-1). This combination is called the "JSWC-2-S" or "JSWC-2-H". You can order the two individual dies, or the single catalog number for them both.
[ul][*]Calibers from .10 to .458 inch can use type-S dies and the CSP-1 S-Press.[*]Calibers from .459 to 1.00 inch can use type-H dies and either the CSP-2 Mega Mite, the CSP-2H Hydro Junior, or the CHP-1 Hydro Press.[*]A reloading press can also be used with a custom CSW-1-R and custom CS-1-R die. Except in .224, .243, and certain pistol calibers (.32 to .38), the -R dies are only available on custom order. [/ul] [/ol]
[hr]If on the other hand you want a bit more capability, then you will want the three die set up.
A jacketed bullet without a step or shoulder between nose and shank, and a flat or cupped base can be made with three dies: [ol][ol][*]the core swage (CSW-1),[*]the core seater (CS-1), and,[*]the point former (PF-1).
This combination is called the "FJFB-3-S" or "FJFB-3-H".
You can order the three individual dies, or the single catalog number for all three in a matched set.
The core swage (CSW-1) is optional, but is usually desired as part of the set, for more accurate weight control.
[ul][*]Calibers from .10 to .458 inch can use type-S dies and the CSP-1 S-Press.[*]Calibers from .459 to 1.00 inch can use type-H dies and either the CSP-2 Mega Mite, the CSP-2H Hydro Junior, or the CHP-1 Hydro Press.[*]A reloading press can also be used for .224 or .243 bullets, with the BSD-224R or BSD-243R die sets, which have the CS-1-R and PF-1-R (the CSW-1-R can be ordered as an option).
[/ul][/ol][/ol]Ultimately, the choice remains one which is up to the individual. Bullet swaging grants me a great variety and adaptability for each bullet or I have the other opiton to simply chunk out duplicates one right after the other.
What I enjoy most is the freedom of creativity and who knows, maybe some of you will find this freedom well worth the investment of time, effort and a few extra dollars worth of investment.
Well, let's see here, just how best to answer the question...COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
All this kind of depends upon just how much one wishes to spend and possibly upon if the purchase is a one off, or one where maybe over time you may be adding one or more sets to expand the pleasures.
Another way of stating this, would be, if all you are interested in is the .172 cal then possibly the following may be sufficient:
Firstly, it's much easier to simply cut and past the information from the corbin website page of http://www.corbins.com/starting.htm which will give the basics.
Secondly the basic set up is:
1) A press
2) Die Set
3) Car tire lead weights, or at least some source for the lead you are going to need. Which also can be purchased from of course whom else but Corbin.
4) Jackets will also need to be purchased and those too can be purchsed from Corbin. In my case, because I do a great deal of practice with .22 cal, I simply use the brass .22 cal spent cases and they work great when pressed or put through resizing dies and come out as .172 jackets. Rather neat having "r" or "S" or "cci" and others pressed right into the middle of the base of each jacket (bullet).
--- So now you have a jacket, into which lead is placed, this assembly gets placed into a die and now using a point forming die, you "SWAGE" all the parts together and the result is the neatest little bullet you've ever seen, and YOU MADE IT YOURSELF.
BTW, you could have shortened the amount of lead, and placed a tiny poly-ball into the front end of the jacket, so the final formed bullet has a poly-tip on it which most of my bullets have.
Anyway, that's pretty much it.
Whith the investments made into several die sets, from .10 to .480 ou would be amazed at the diversification of bullets you can custom make and for which you can easily charge custom prices. Kind of depends upon your nich market place. Some of the ones I've made sell for approx $22.00 for each bullet with a min quantity of 50 units each.($1100.00) and all this grew out of one single set of dies, then more were added (used) into which a small business happened.
[hr]Copyright 2007 Corbin - http://www.corbins.com/starting.htm
[hr]
Dies are classified by the kind of press they fit, and the kind of operation they perform. [ul][*]
Type -R Dies Dies whose catalog number ends with -R fit a standard 7/8-14 thread reloading press with slotted ram, similar to the RCBS Rockchucker. The die goes into the press head, like a reloading press die. The external punch fits into the press ram, like a shell holder. Ejection is by means of a plunger or knock-out rod in the top of the die.[*]
Type -S Dies Dies whose catalog number ends with -S fit the Corbin S-Press and the Corbin Hydro-Mite bench model hydraulic press. The dies have 5/8-24 threads and fit into the press ram, so you can drop parts into the die mouth. The press head is 7/8-14 threaded. The press comes with a floating punch holder, which is used to hold and adjust the position of the external punch. This punch pushes components into the die and applies pressure to them. Ejection is automatic on the down stroke.[*]
Type -H Dies Dies whose catalog number ends with -H fit the Corbin Hydro-Press, Mega-Mite Press, and Hydro Junior. These dies have 1-inch x 12 threads and a 1.5-inch main body. The dies fit the press ram. The external punch fits a floating punch holder (which comes with each press). The punch holder goes in the top or head of the press, and adjusts the position of the punch. Ejection is automatic on the down stroke.[*]Type -M Dies
Early Corbin dies for the discontinued Mity Mite and Silver Press used a 3/4-inch diameter body with 5/8-24 threaded shank. These dies are made today on special order to fit the early model presses. They have been replaced by the type -S dies. [/ul] [ol][*]A jacketed bullet with a step or shoulder between nose and shank can be made with two dies, called the core swage (CSW-1) and the core seater (CS-1). This combination is called the "JSWC-2-S" or "JSWC-2-H". You can order the two individual dies, or the single catalog number for them both.
[ul][*]Calibers from .10 to .458 inch can use type-S dies and the CSP-1 S-Press.[*]Calibers from .459 to 1.00 inch can use type-H dies and either the CSP-2 Mega Mite, the CSP-2H Hydro Junior, or the CHP-1 Hydro Press.[*]A reloading press can also be used with a custom CSW-1-R and custom CS-1-R die. Except in .224, .243, and certain pistol calibers (.32 to .38), the -R dies are only available on custom order. [/ul] [/ol][hr]If on the other hand you want a bit more capability, then you will want the three die set up.
A jacketed bullet without a step or shoulder between nose and shank, and a flat or cupped base can be made with three dies: [ol][ol][*]the core swage (CSW-1),[*]the core seater (CS-1), and,[*]the point former (PF-1).
This combination is called the "FJFB-3-S" or "FJFB-3-H".
You can order the three individual dies, or the single catalog number for all three in a matched set.
The core swage (CSW-1) is optional, but is usually desired as part of the set, for more accurate weight control.
[ul][*]Calibers from .10 to .458 inch can use type-S dies and the CSP-1 S-Press.[*]Calibers from .459 to 1.00 inch can use type-H dies and either the CSP-2 Mega Mite, the CSP-2H Hydro Junior, or the CHP-1 Hydro Press.[*]A reloading press can also be used for .224 or .243 bullets, with the BSD-224R or BSD-243R die sets, which have the CS-1-R and PF-1-R (the CSW-1-R can be ordered as an option).[/ul][/ol][/ol]Ultimately, the choice remains one which is up to the individual. Bullet swaging grants me a great variety and adaptability for each bullet or I have the other opiton to simply chunk out duplicates one right after the other.
What I enjoy most is the freedom of creativity and who knows, maybe some of you will find this freedom well worth the investment of time, effort and a few extra dollars worth of investment.
06-07-2007, 06:39 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,813
RE: Swaging COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
3) Car tire lead weights, or at least some source for the lead you are going to need. Which also can be purchased from of course whom else but Corbin.
DM
06-07-2007, 09:53 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7
RE: Swaging COST & FUNCTION vs. QUICK to reload?
Hi DM:
I'm not advocating the use of 'wheel weights' directly, as in unaltered.
They were referenced as simply a 'material lead source'.
Now with that out of the way, I believe it's important to mention that you can take them and using the appropriate heated pots, melt out and seperate tha various components. This will give you a base of pure lead, to which you add back, the material components you want the blend to be, harder or softer or no blending at all.
As for the second method, it is often times far easier just to purchase the % of your lead directly, which is why, when lead is ordered from Corbin, they ship several different formats, meaning, bricks, coils in many diameters which is my preferance when working with the .172 and .223 cal.
I hope this helps with the understanding, again, this only represents MY POINT of view, as there are many ways to reach the desired results.
As this is a forum for 'reloading' I wanted to include this 'swaging method' as an alternative of knowledge to the standard bullet acquisition methods. It's also important to know, if one learns this may NOT be for them, you can ALWAYS just purchase the bullet from several sources, but, when you are interested in a bullet just the way YOU WANT IT, I can only tell you of my experience and say, I've NOT found any better methond for getting each reloading component just the way you want it as everything is CUSTOM with repeatable results time after time.
Thanks for the question - it helps others too!
bob
I'm not advocating the use of 'wheel weights' directly, as in unaltered.
They were referenced as simply a 'material lead source'.
Now with that out of the way, I believe it's important to mention that you can take them and using the appropriate heated pots, melt out and seperate tha various components. This will give you a base of pure lead, to which you add back, the material components you want the blend to be, harder or softer or no blending at all.
As for the second method, it is often times far easier just to purchase the % of your lead directly, which is why, when lead is ordered from Corbin, they ship several different formats, meaning, bricks, coils in many diameters which is my preferance when working with the .172 and .223 cal.
I hope this helps with the understanding, again, this only represents MY POINT of view, as there are many ways to reach the desired results.
As this is a forum for 'reloading' I wanted to include this 'swaging method' as an alternative of knowledge to the standard bullet acquisition methods. It's also important to know, if one learns this may NOT be for them, you can ALWAYS just purchase the bullet from several sources, but, when you are interested in a bullet just the way YOU WANT IT, I can only tell you of my experience and say, I've NOT found any better methond for getting each reloading component just the way you want it as everything is CUSTOM with repeatable results time after time.
Thanks for the question - it helps others too!
bob
