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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 11, 2015 21:26:03 GMT -5
At the request of buckdoehunter and Richard, I am going to post a pictorial of this bullet making process: The dies from left to right, with corresponding punch: Jacket Draw Die (.50 to .458) with punch, Expander Punch (is tapered and is used with core seating die), Trim Die and punch, Core Die (excess lead squirts from that bleed hole as you adjust weight), Core Seat die with two flat punches (since jacket is tapered) and one ogive shaped core seat punch, Pointing die and punch, Punch carrier.  Making a jacket:Jackets start as .50 caliber, 1.250" in length, and weigh 103gn (on right). After they pass through the draw die ( as seen on left) they are .455, 1.362" in length, and weight 103gn  This is accomplished by using bullet swage lube  A small amount of lube is applied to the outside of the jacket  The jacket is then placed, base up, on the draw die punch and pressed through the draw die  Just like a bullet sizing die, a jacket is drawn down, captured in the die, and pressed from the top of the die as the next bullet is drawn  I can draw about 400 per hour (I need a break about every 30 minutes)  |
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Post by longbowshtr on Apr 11, 2015 21:35:49 GMT -5
Neat!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 21:56:50 GMT -5
Very cool process Keith. Can't wait to see some of the non blems.
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a1smokepole
8 Pointer
Being Safe Adds More Fun When Shooting
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Post by a1smokepole on Apr 11, 2015 22:10:45 GMT -5
It looks like there more to it then you think.
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Post by al53 on Apr 12, 2015 7:19:13 GMT -5
Nice job on the swagging of the jackets....Keith what is the process of cutting the wire to form the core...is the core formed first or is it formed in the jacket...this is very interesting...
another question..when you buy jackets can you buy from bullet makers like Hornady Nosler...or from company that makes jackets...
soon you will have some hot rod bullets once you get it down...soon you will be pumping them out...
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 12, 2015 8:06:40 GMT -5
Nice job on the swagging of the jackets....Keith what is the process of cutting the wire to form the core...is the core formed first or is it formed in the jacket...this is very interesting... another question..when you buy jackets can you buy from bullet makers like Hornady Nosler...or from company that makes jackets... soon you will have some hot rod bullets once you get it down...soon you will be pumping them out... I'll post the cores next. It's the next step. This will probably take a week or two to get posted because I'm at work a lot lately. Yes, you can buy jackets from Sierra and J4/Berger. |
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Post by rambler on Apr 12, 2015 8:09:07 GMT -5
Very interesting. Looks tedious??
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Post by Richard on Apr 12, 2015 8:48:19 GMT -5
Great start to the process 7mm..............I think members here will get a perspective as to why custom bullets shoot better but unfortunately have to cost more due to the labor intensive process. Looking forward to the second installment.
Richard
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Post by 1coyotemaster on Apr 12, 2015 8:58:45 GMT -5
Keith that is a pretty neat process and as Richard says labor intensive. Equally impressive is your stock of the variety of powders and the neatness of your set up.
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 12, 2015 9:39:48 GMT -5
Rambler,
I honestly find most things about making a rifle shoot well to be tedious but necessary. Sorting cases by weight, neck wall thickness, uniforming, etc are all tedious. Doing the same with bullet jackets and cores is tedious. Tedious and unenjoyable are not synonyms though.
Richard,
I think you are right, it will give perspective. I can also see where bullet shortages from custom makers start; it's mentally and physically tiresome so keeping up with demand could be hard on a bullet maker if he used a manual press. I may move to a hydraulic machine later down the road but the cost is prohibitive right now and I'm sure that adds to the cost of bullets like JLK (dude has an awesome setup). I would even buy a hydraulic just for my shooting if I started making .224, .244, .284, and .308 for my match rifles as well.
Tim,
Thx, that loading bench and my gun work bench are the only things in my life that stay pretty neat; the rest is organized chaos. Luckily I can find nearly any powder, primers, and bullets I need right now; as a result I buy each, every month, and label them with date so I can keep them in proper rotation. I'm about two months behind on SRP right now and I will shoot 500 of those in the next month getting ready for a match. Yeah the bullets are labor intensive but, luckily, I am a fit guy in my prime.
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Post by edge on Apr 12, 2015 10:00:37 GMT -5
If you want when you have the whole process down we can combine all of the steps into one thread and put it in the Tips or build section.
edge.
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 12, 2015 11:10:49 GMT -5
Edge,
Good idea. I'm not always good about putting posts in the right section.
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Post by bigmoose on Apr 12, 2015 12:24:49 GMT -5
Looks like great fun, I know using a fly you made catching a fish, all the more sweet, but making your own bullet and taking game with it tops all
Good Luck
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Post by rambler on Apr 12, 2015 13:20:07 GMT -5
I'm ready to see the selection on a web page and the prices. I'm with dannoboone, I'd like a 250 or 275 grain option but I understand it's about the buyer's wants and needs. If these shoot as good as the Parkers as far as ease of obturation I could probably shoot a 300gr in my break open.
Once you get a nice routine down I anticipate you'll be crankin' out the bullets with relative ease and consistency.
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Post by edge on Apr 12, 2015 14:49:22 GMT -5
There are plenty of crappy BC bullets!
BC is the form and the mass!
The shank in lead weighs 212 grains
Do you want a tip on that bullet?
The copper jacket reduces that but not by a lot.
If you want a brick buy a XTP, want a sleek brock buy a SST, if you want a good BC then buy a Parker or a 7mmfreak bullet...
BC is not free!
If you shoot no more than 250 yards then use a brick and live with it that the buck at 400 is beyond your reach.
edge.
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Post by Richard on Apr 12, 2015 20:06:08 GMT -5
You hit the nail on the head Edge! A 300 gr. XTP will take deer out to 250 to 300 yards provided you can put your shots into 6" or so. It all depends if you have done your homework with the load and have put in sufficient practice. Beyond that distance you will need a higher BC bullet along with good load development and PRACTICE! A good barrel also helps!
Richard
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2015 20:30:38 GMT -5
Keith,
All of your effort on this project/ business venture is outstanding!!!!! Nice post on the jacket sizing process!!!! Kyle
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 13, 2015 7:41:01 GMT -5
I'm ready to see the selection on a web page and the prices. I'm with dannoboone, I'd like a 250 or 275 grain option but I understand it's about the buyer's wants and needs. The website is finished but I won't put it up until I have bullets to sell. Once bullet testing is finished and I have something to sell all business and info on the bullets will go through the site and embedded blog (Ballistic gel testing, BC TEST w/i 1% accuracy, new product like maybe a 250gn, etc). There will be no inventory updates or new products posted here. You'll either have to check the site or sign up for email updates. Anything new thread posted will have to come from other board members. I will only answer questions and listen to concerns/wants on DMB so that I can go back to posting about bedding jobs and stock work. |
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Post by rambler on Apr 13, 2015 9:32:28 GMT -5
Sounds good!!
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Post by schunter on Apr 13, 2015 12:06:14 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the start of the process and looking forward to the remaining steps. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated!!!
Scott
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 13, 2015 16:13:32 GMT -5
MAKING CORESTo make cores you need lead wire (this is a 25# spool), a core cutter, and a hammer:  The lead wire is fed through the holes in the cutter and placed against the stop screw:  The cutter is then given a sharp blow with the hammer and the core is cut. They need to be cut heavier than the target weight:  Once cores are cut they are sized in the core sizing die:  The cut core is lubed in the same manner as the jackets and placed in the core sizing die:  As it is forced into the die the excess weight is bled from the die:  The sized core emerges from the die on the down stroke:  Technique varies, I'm sure, as does weight due to technique. I have gotten down a process that allows .1-.2gn consistency. These all weight 230.5gn and will make a bullet that is 333.5gn: 
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Post by jims on Apr 13, 2015 16:21:29 GMT -5
Quite interesting.
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Post by Richard on Apr 13, 2015 16:25:06 GMT -5
Looks good, now for the "Point up!"
Richard
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 13, 2015 16:29:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Rich. Pointing up is forthcoming but will be later this week depending on my schedule. I worked until 2AM last night, went back to work at 10AM this morning, then cut the guys at 2PM so we catch a break today. I'm about to go hit the gym real quick then I'm calling it a night.
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Post by deadeye on Apr 13, 2015 18:12:14 GMT -5
excellent~thx for sharing//looking like a don lahr system & that's a compliment!   |
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 13, 2015 19:31:38 GMT -5
Thanks, Jeff. Don is one of the first guys I talked to when I started this venture.
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Post by acekicker on Apr 13, 2015 21:43:31 GMT -5
Very interesting stuff! The procedure is very different than what I imagined. Thank you very much for sharing and looking forward to your range results.
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Post by cuda on Apr 14, 2015 12:40:39 GMT -5
Do you need to lube the core dies at all? I enjoy watch thing like this as it shows how much really is needed before you even load the gun. Thanks! Keep it coming we are waiting to see more.
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Post by 7mmfreak on Apr 14, 2015 14:21:05 GMT -5
Do you need to lube the core dies at all? Yes, the cores are lubed just like the jackets. The manner and amount of lube seem to have direct impact on core weight consistency. It also keeps the lead from clogging the "bleed hole". |
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Post by Typical171 on Apr 14, 2015 16:56:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the great post! Very interesting stuff.
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