How much to start swaging?

spacecoast · September 2, 2010, 01:04 PM

I've been reading a bit on the Corbin web site, can someone give me a ballpark figure on how much investment there is to start swaging basic handgn bullets?

Edward429451 · September 2, 2010, 02:14 PM

For 500 bucks I was set up to swage one caliber (.451) on a CSP1 press. The neet thing about swaging is that everything comes out match grade (weight control), and unlike a mould there is countless variation in design and type of slug you want to make. A small assortmant of punches to go with the dies and I can FMJ, SP, HP, HSP, TC all with the same set of dies.

You have to order your jackets from him. He raised em up when copper went crazy. The quality of jacketed bullets bullets I am making surpasses anything I have ever seen or used on the open market.

TXGunNut · September 2, 2010, 10:59 PM

Who?

spacecoast · September 3, 2010, 08:35 AM

I think he means Corbin - http://www.corbins.com/index.htm

Ed, thanks very much for the reply. $500 isn't all that much when you consider that I have probably spent $1000 YTD on bullets alone.

How much is the cost of the ready-to-swage lead, which I understand comes in 70,000 grain (10 lb) spools? I found the price list but didn't see the lead on it. The jackets look kinda pricey at 15 cents apiece, but I guess that's not a big deal if you're making match ammo.

Those sure are some pretty-looking bullets, I guess all it takes is a little pressure.

Edward429451 · September 3, 2010, 11:02 AM

Oh yeah, Corbin! Sorry.

I never ordered lead spools from him, didn't want to pay shipping. I found lead wire (.365) locally. ~ 20 bucks per spool. I'm pretty sure the dies for dwaging pure lead and jacketed bullets are different, be clear with him on what you're going to swage so he sends the right dies.

spacecoast · September 3, 2010, 12:35 PM

Hmmm... at 20 bucks per spool (4.5 cents per 158 gr. bullet), I would have to swage over 30,000 158 gr. bullets to make back my initial investment on dies and press (even if I considered my labor free). I have a local source of lubed bullets here for about 6 cents apiece. I'm already saving about 20 cents per round by reloading vs. buying, getting into swaging for another couple of cents per round probably isn't worth it to me.

Sounds like swaging is for those who are looking for higher quality, not necessarily to save a bunch of money.

Thanks for the cost inputs, I appreciate it.

res45 · September 3, 2010, 05:53 PM

You can get started for as little as $130 in several pistol calibers.

http://www.ch4d.com/

Making 40 Cal. from 9mm cases.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../2/Mdzm7zM16r4

http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../1/evm10f2NGcA

http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../0/PLtFCRtwRN4

Edward429451 · September 4, 2010, 12:11 AM

You havent shot any yet so you don't know but you can not compare these swaged bullets to run of the mill factory componants. If you want to calculate amortization then compare to the custom bullet makers products. They are usually between 1 dollar and 3 dollars apiece.

lee n. field · September 27, 2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

You can get started for as little as $130 in several pistol calibers.

http://www.ch4d.com/

it that (plus a source of lead wire) all you need? Can it be done with (to give a non-random example) an RCBS Rock Chuck press?

res45 · September 27, 2010, 03:46 PM

I take it you didn't watch the videos,James is using a Rock Chucker to make the 40 Cal. bullets.

September 2, 2010, 01:04 PM	#1
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	How much to start swaging? I've been reading a bit on the Corbin web site, can someone give me a ballpark figure on how much investment there is to start swaging basic handgn bullets?

September 2, 2010, 10:59 PM	#3
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Who? __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

September 3, 2010, 05:53 PM	#7
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	You can get started for as little as $130 in several pistol calibers. http://www.ch4d.com/ Making 40 Cal. from 9mm cases. http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../2/Mdzm7zM16r4 http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../1/evm10f2NGcA http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmit.../0/PLtFCRtwRN4 __________________ The Reloaders Network discord Channel https://discord.gg/Nafuzht

September 27, 2010, 03:46 PM	#10
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	I take it you didn't watch the videos,James is using a Rock Chucker to make the 40 Cal. bullets. __________________ The Reloaders Network discord Channel https://discord.gg/Nafuzht

September 2, 2010, 02:14 PM	#2
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	For 500 bucks I was set up to swage one caliber (.451) on a CSP1 press. The neet thing about swaging is that everything comes out match grade (weight control), and unlike a mould there is countless variation in design and type of slug you want to make. A small assortmant of punches to go with the dies and I can FMJ, SP, HP, HSP, TC all with the same set of dies. You have to order your jackets from him. He raised em up when copper went crazy. The quality of jacketed bullets bullets I am making surpasses anything I have ever seen or used on the open market.

September 3, 2010, 08:35 AM	#4
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I think he means Corbin - http://www.corbins.com/index.htm Ed, thanks very much for the reply. $500 isn't all that much when you consider that I have probably spent $1000 YTD on bullets alone. How much is the cost of the ready-to-swage lead, which I understand comes in 70,000 grain (10 lb) spools? I found the price list but didn't see the lead on it. The jackets look kinda pricey at 15 cents apiece, but I guess that's not a big deal if you're making match ammo. Those sure are some pretty-looking bullets, I guess all it takes is a little pressure.

September 3, 2010, 11:02 AM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Oh yeah, Corbin! Sorry. I never ordered lead spools from him, didn't want to pay shipping. I found lead wire (.365) locally. ~ 20 bucks per spool. I'm pretty sure the dies for dwaging pure lead and jacketed bullets are different, be clear with him on what you're going to swage so he sends the right dies.

September 3, 2010, 12:35 PM	#6
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Hmmm... at 20 bucks per spool (4.5 cents per 158 gr. bullet), I would have to swage over 30,000 158 gr. bullets to make back my initial investment on dies and press (even if I considered my labor free). I have a local source of lubed bullets here for about 6 cents apiece. I'm already saving about 20 cents per round by reloading vs. buying, getting into swaging for another couple of cents per round probably isn't worth it to me. Sounds like swaging is for those who are looking for higher quality, not necessarily to save a bunch of money. Thanks for the cost inputs, I appreciate it.

September 4, 2010, 12:11 AM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	You havent shot any yet so you don't know but you can not compare these swaged bullets to run of the mill factory componants. If you want to calculate amortization then compare to the custom bullet makers products. They are usually between 1 dollar and 3 dollars apiece.