Thanks. Sure is, and with minimum budget comes maximum necessity for invention. If I only had a lathe, mill, 3D printer...and the skills to use them, I'd be dangerous.
Thanks. The hard part is getting past the price of admission per caliber. I'd only recommend swaging calibers that aren't as well suited to cast bullets. Having to make equipment is also a thing since many aren't available/reasonably priced for purchase. I'd like to try copper jackets, but that's a whole different expense, and I can make any weight range scrap bullets cheap for 10 for a penny. Copper would be more like commercial bullets compared, and have more penetration power since rimfire brass is between .008" and .010" thick (17 HMR/22 WMR tend to be on the thicker end), but I get 2800 f/s from a 18" 1:8 twist barrel before things open up. I'm told that a slower twist rate would give higher velocities (1:12 for 3000 f/s or more), but I'm not going to complain. Dima Prok recently stumbled on a local (to him) used swage equipment deal (lucky guy). I have more time than money, so it made a bit more sense.
@@psykoklown874 I became frustrated with the lead time. I don’t mind spending the money; I do have a problem paying a high price up front for something that may not ship anytime soon!
@@WilliamCChapin True, it does take awhile to get dies. Corbin makes starter kits that come with their small press built for swaging (can get conversion for single stage reloading). The press itself is $769, but it's built like a tank. Add in the options I'd want you're approaching $2.5k for a full blown .223 kit with RBT option (Corbin does not make traditional BT dies), soft point option and jacket tip closer (I think you can choose the profile). Not cheap until you make enough bullets to pay off the equipment. Keep in mind that roughly 1/3 of that cost is the press.
@@WilliamCChapin I had to think hard about it, but cast for .223 meant dealing with alloys, the costs involved, and highly reduced velocities, so I clenched my wallet and made my decision.
The master craftsman explains his madness. Now that is a work of art. Necessity is the mother of invention. Eureka!
Thanks. Sure is, and with minimum budget comes maximum necessity for invention. If I only had a lathe, mill, 3D printer...and the skills to use them, I'd be dangerous.
I enjoy your bullet making videos. I’d like to try swaging someday. 🙂
Thanks. The hard part is getting past the price of admission per caliber. I'd only recommend swaging calibers that aren't as well suited to cast bullets. Having to make equipment is also a thing since many aren't available/reasonably priced for purchase. I'd like to try copper jackets, but that's a whole different expense, and I can make any weight range scrap bullets cheap for 10 for a penny. Copper would be more like commercial bullets compared, and have more penetration power since rimfire brass is between .008" and .010" thick (17 HMR/22 WMR tend to be on the thicker end), but I get 2800 f/s from a 18" 1:8 twist barrel before things open up. I'm told that a slower twist rate would give higher velocities (1:12 for 3000 f/s or more), but I'm not going to complain. Dima Prok recently stumbled on a local (to him) used swage equipment deal (lucky guy). I have more time than money, so it made a bit more sense.
@@psykoklown874 I became frustrated with the lead time. I don’t mind spending the money; I do have a problem paying a high price up front for something that may not ship anytime soon!
@@WilliamCChapin True, it does take awhile to get dies. Corbin makes starter kits that come with their small press built for swaging (can get conversion for single stage reloading). The press itself is $769, but it's built like a tank. Add in the options I'd want you're approaching $2.5k for a full blown .223 kit with RBT option (Corbin does not make traditional BT dies), soft point option and jacket tip closer (I think you can choose the profile). Not cheap until you make enough bullets to pay off the equipment. Keep in mind that roughly 1/3 of that cost is the press.
@@psykoklown874 I almost bit awhile back when they had some of the entry level stuff listed. I waffled between .224 and 6mm and did nothing! 🤭
@@WilliamCChapin I had to think hard about it, but cast for .223 meant dealing with alloys, the costs involved, and highly reduced velocities, so I clenched my wallet and made my decision.