Swaging a 22 bullet pictorial | Page 2 | Homestead Security | Forums

As far as you question goes.

I use a lot of casted wheel weights, so they are practically free, I pick them up off the side of the road and every now and then, I buy them from a tire store. I have gotten sheet lead from a recycle business in my area for next to nothing.

If you buy lead wire in rolls expect to pay anywhere from $2-5 a pound plus shipping.

Commercial jackets will run 0.08 - 0.20 cents a piece. 22 hulls from rim-fire, I pick up off the range and police my own, so there is little to no cost there, just time and I enjoy it.

Your biggest expense is the dies them selves and a good press. They will ruin a $100 bill or 2 and each maker has a different design so make sure that when you order you order one for your press or you may have to buy a press.

I own a CPS-S press from Corbin's and I use his dies to make the 22 bullets. Love the set up but they are getting pricey. I have used a CH4D die set to make the 45 ACP bullets and used a standard reloading press. Very easy and affordable. But again CH4D has suspended their line of swaging dies and are limited to what they have on hand.

I have a 308 match set of dies and a press on order from Dr. Blackmon, I have heard nothing bad about them and they are priced on the lower end of the scale. I am getting a flatbase and a 13 degree boat-tailed base both will have an 8S ogive. This is very similar to the Sierra Match Kings which have a 7S ogive.

I have a Universal notching die that I got from BTSniper that use I use for making "XTP" styled pistol bullets and some hunting bullets.

I said alot to say nothing. Expect to go anywhere from $150 to $5k on a set up. Jackets and lead will depend on you. I only buy lead wire when I am making match grade bullets otherwise I use wheel weights. Which jacket I use will depend on what I want the bullet to do. Commercial for match, rim-fire for hunting and plinking.

Are you using a special tool to bring the core to weight and how are you shaping it?