Author Topic: Sizing Copper Jacketed Bullets (Read 1408 times)

Pookee · « **on:** August 27, 2004, 05:10:02 AM »

Is it a goos idea to slug a barrel then order a sizing die .001 over and size the copper jacketed bullets that are to be used in a match?

Donna · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2004, 08:41:04 AM »

You do not want to slug the barrel, this says nothing about the chamber and is a waste of time for your propose. Take the thickness of your case at the neck double it take that quantity and add the diameter of the bullet take that sum and subtract 0.008 from it (all in inches) and that should be your starting point. Of course, Im assuming that youre talking about what size neck-sizing ring to get for youre reloading die set?

Donna

Pookee · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:39:06 PM »

Hi Donna,
No, I was thinking of sizing the bullets to fit the bore better.
George

Donna · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2004, 02:12:16 AM »

This question is better answered on the Bullet Swaging forum. But nevertheless, the jacketed bullet should match the grooves of the riflings, in this case slugging the barrel and measure the lands on the slug, which is the grooves of the riflings, will give you the measurement that you need the Point Forming die to be made to. This may or may not work; if the contour of the bullet to be reformed and the die are not much different from each other it should give dissent results but not match grade quality.

Donna

braud357 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2004, 03:20:37 AM »

as long as you are using quality bullets (Sierra, Hornady, Speer,etc.) you should not have trouble finding a load that will out-perform your ability to shoot it. In my 24 years in IHMSA - I have NEVER heard of anyone swaging jacketed bullets. Why make more work for yourself - find a good, accurate load and enjoy yourself !!!!

Donna · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2004, 02:26:09 PM »

Hello braud357,

You have now. I swage my own bullets and they are far better than any factory bullet on the market, in fact there are a lot of swaggers out there doing the same thing. The factories swage their bullets but the main problem is that they have several die sets to make one type of their bullets. Since no die set is exactly the same as the other you can get up to four or five different bullet ogive out of the same box. I gave 1000 sierra bullets away because there were four different bullets in their bulk box and that was their prized 69-grain Matchkings. The ogives had a variance of over 0.040 inches; you could see the difference with your eyes. With home swaggers all the bullets of one type is the same. Im making a 90-grain .22 caliber bullet for a friend of mine and the ogives all measure the same to with in + or 0.00005 of an inch to the base. How do you think all these smaller companies that have cropped up lately make their bullets, usually in their homes swaging.

I ordered a die set to make 6.5mm in the weight range of about 140-grains to 180-grains that I plan to use in silhouettes with my custom XP that Im making along with several other shooters in their rifles.

Im not making more work for myself I love swaging and maybe Mr. Pookee will too you never know. So Pookee dont lesson to braud357 do your own thing your own way. If swaging is for you than more power to you, if its not than thats fine too. But you decide if its too much work, too expensive, or too something else or not for yourself.

Donna

braud357 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2004, 04:08:31 PM »

let me clarify my statement - what I meant was that I have never known of anyone that swages FACTORY bullets ----- I know several people that "roll" their own jacketed bullets - perhaps I should have stated it differently !!

braud357 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2004, 04:16:33 PM »

PS - I think that "Pookie" was talking about sizing factory bullets, as well. As I said - I know a couple of shooters that are into swaging. I agree that you have much better control over your "product". Same with bullet casting - to each his own. I meant no offense ! --- (but, Match Kings work just fine for me !)

Pookee · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2004, 04:27:22 PM »

Yes, I was thinking about sizing factory jacketed bullets.
George

Donna · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2004, 08:17:46 PM »

braud357 - No offense taken. You are a gentleman and a scholar I curtsy to you Sir.

And yes, reforming factory bullets, I got it.

Donna

Pookee · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2004, 04:06:49 AM »

So what is the conclusion?
Should I proceed, slug the barrel and order the correct size die?

(BTW, what is the correct size? .001" over or the actual size of the slug?)

Or just stick with the Hornady Spire Points out of the box.

To Swage or not to Swage, that is the question!

Donna · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2004, 01:45:14 PM »

That is a question only you can answer. But if you wanted to go a head and swage the correct size would be the actual size of the slug and the die for a reloading press would cost about $120.00. But buy reforming a jacketed bullet will not give you the results you are looking for in a match grade bullet. I tried it once and while I got decent results I dont think I personally would do it again. All it did was to allow a bullet that would not shoot to shoot so that I could use up a surplus of bullets that was taking up room.

Donna