Swaging press

[Chapuis]

I hope you guys don’t mind me dropping into your conversation but I too looked into swaging in the not too distant past. A friend of mine is well equipped with Corbin equipment but admits the investment is quite significant and far greater than I was prepared to pay for the relatively small number of jacketed bullets I intended to produce each year. I looked at the Nalan which I know is dated technology by American standards, but that too is exorbitant and I heard horror stories regarding delays due to ill health etc.
I know that you can buy dies from various sources in the states to use in rockchucker presses and that many have used these presses to swage bullets but this system is only recommended for relatively small quantities. Even the mighty rockchucker isn’t really up to the task of swaging anything other than smaller pure lead bullets. There are even upgrade kits available from some sources to make the rockchucker better able to undertake this task. The wamadet is probably even less well suited despite being an excellent single stage reloading press.
I came to the conclusion that cast bullets were better and the cost of a custom made die was far cheaper (by about £1,000) than setting up for just calibre in swaging equipment. The only problem that I have is that while I have had a fair bit of success casting for my 8mm rifle I just can’t seem to master the new mold for my 9.3mm.

[kri5h]

Krish, if you sort the press out and struggle with sourcing dies let me know as it may be something I can build.

Dave, thank you very much for your offer. I’ll keep that in mind. At present I have a contact who maybe able to help me out with the die set…hopefully.

Chapuis, you are welcome. I too have read a fair bit on swaging, especially on Castboolits and Corbin’s own webpage. Swaging had always seemed an attractive prospect for me and which, I want to seriously pursue. But the initial outlay has always been the hurdle followed by the difficulties of getting the individual die sets.

However, at this point in time my immediate concerns are whether to invest in a RCBS press or Wamadet. Now that I have tracked down the latter, I wait to hear from more experienced shooters as to which might be best suited for my swaging purpose before i part with the cash.

[dromia]

As I have said I think the Wamadet would struggle, the RCBS might manage it or need some modification.

I suggest that you email CH-4D and tell them what you are wanting to do and they will advise as to wether or not it is possible with the RCBS or perhaps the Ultramag which I have used for swaging.

As good swaging die makers they know what will work, they have advised me well in the past.

[dromia]

If any of you knacky engineering citizens out there fancied making a swage press for me then I'd put down money for it.

Here's a plan for one, any volunteers?

http://mattmorgan.org/cb_press_v2.pdf

Here's the link to the thread on Cast Boolits with more info.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=76514

[ovenpaa]

The cast boolits thread makes for good reading and the evolution of the design was interesting. How much are these things from new?

[John25]

Seen all the posts,

My advice/opinion? Don't buy it unless it's 'cheap'

For a decent FTR gun go to Stuart Anslem, Mik Maksimovic, Brian Fox or even AI.

The Steyer will only ever be a good back up gun.

As I say just my opinion based only on forty years of shooting!

[Robin128]

+1



Listen to Dromia.

[ovenpaa]

Erm.... are you guys posting in the right thread? :?

[dromia]

The cast boolits thread makes for good reading and the evolution of the design was interesting. How much are these things from new?

The RCE Walnut Hill press in post number 1, fourth photo down, left hand press sells in the states for $435 if you can get one out of Richard. So around £285 without the VAT, duty and postage.

Corbins Mega Mite would cost you £656 without the VAT, duty and postage again if you can get one out of Dave.

Having been fortunate to have used both makes of equipment I prefer the RCE stuff and it is a bit cheaper too, Richard uses hard bronze bushings for the rods to ride through and the Walnut Hill is plenty strong to swage Pritchett boolits for the Enfield.

The press in question here looks like a beefed up Walnut Hill variant.

[ovenpaa]

I had a good look and read last night and I can certainly build one however there are a few subtle changes I would put in place, including bolting the toggles instead of welding as it would make them easier to line bore them and I would probably use hydraulic ram rods for the guides and top hat bushes. The geometry would remain as is and it would be ambidextrous.

I will check out the price of the material and powder coating when I get a moment.