swagged balls

the rifleer · May 18, 2009, 11:33 PM

So cast balls have an imperfection on the top when you pour the lead in, if you are good it isnt much, but its still there.

Store bought swagged balls seem to be just about as perfectly rounds as they can be. How do they make them so round? What exactly is Swagged?

B.L.E. · May 18, 2009, 11:41 PM

It's swaged not swagged, the lead is cold formed into a ball without melting it by very high pressure.
Usually, a length of lead wire is cut to size and then that wire is compressed into a ball by the swaging dies and a powerful press or by hammering with a sledge hammer.

If you are interested in swaging your own:
http://www.bulletswage.com/bsk-1.htm

BillM · May 18, 2009, 11:41 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaging...and_ammunition

alemonkey · May 21, 2009, 10:23 PM

I've heard of putting lead balls in a tumbler to knock the flats off them. I just started casting my own so I plan to try it.

Smokin_Gun · May 21, 2009, 11:16 PM

Save yourself some time and effort...point the sprue flat so it s toward the barrel in center best ya can...you'll never know it was there.
Lee molds are pretty much a spruless mold.

long rider · May 21, 2009, 11:20 PM

Just like smokin gun said.

May 18, 2009, 11:33 PM	#1
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,209	swagged balls So cast balls have an imperfection on the top when you pour the lead in, if you are good it isnt much, but its still there. Store bought swagged balls seem to be just about as perfectly rounds as they can be. How do they make them so round? What exactly is Swagged?

May 18, 2009, 11:41 PM	#2
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 1,709	It's swaged not swagged, the lead is cold formed into a ball without melting it by very high pressure. Usually, a length of lead wire is cut to size and then that wire is compressed into a ball by the swaging dies and a powerful press or by hammering with a sledge hammer. If you are interested in swaging your own: http://www.bulletswage.com/bsk-1.htm Last edited by B.L.E.; May 18, 2009 at 11:47 PM.

May 21, 2009, 11:16 PM	#5
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	Save yourself some time and effort...point the sprue flat so it s toward the barrel in center best ya can...you'll never know it was there. Lee molds are pretty much a spruless mold. __________________ "I Smoke Black Powder" "Favor an 1858 Remington" SGT. Smokin' Gun, Mosby's Rangers 43rd Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. SASS# 19634, ... Admin:http://blackpowdersmoke.com/oldcoots/index.php

May 21, 2009, 11:20 PM	#6
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Just like smokin gun said. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

May 18, 2009, 11:41 PM	#3
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 215	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaging...and_ammunition

May 21, 2009, 10:23 PM	#4
alemonkey Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 23	I've heard of putting lead balls in a tumbler to knock the flats off them. I just started casting my own so I plan to try it.