Swaging jacketed bullets?

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:45 am Post subject: Swaging jacketed bullets?

I'm seeing people online talking about swaging jacketed bullets to slightly smaller diameters. Specifically, reducing the diameter of 0.358" rifle bullets so they can be used in the .350 Legend, which is nominally 0.355". Have any of you folks tried anything like that and, if so, how did you do it?

Elvis · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

have read about it.....I believe you poke projectile through a gently tapered hole of correct size to squeaze it down to correct size...maybe tap it through with dowel and gentle persuasion with rubber mallet.... I do know you can buy the equipment to do it....also 99% sure guys who do a lot of casting lead projectiles do this alot...the .45cal in particular get the treatment for its different variations...oh and .308 aswell ,the guy who I buy cast off uses same dies for 308-312 sorry cant be more help..maybe Gelandagan will know??

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

There are bullet swaging kits readily available, and as Elvis said, those of us who cast do it all the time when you put your cast bullets through a Lube Sizer. Cast bullets usually come out of the mould a couple of thou bigger and are then swaged down to size for loading.

Bullet Swaging Kits

I don’t know if there would be any benefits from swaging factory projectiles unless, as you say, they are for a smaller calibre. But why not buy the correct projectiles in the first place?

As an aside...we swage every bullet we fire...as they are “squeezed” into the lands and grooves of our barrel.

pete4d · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

I've read about doing the jacketed bullets , but haven't tried them ,

What I gather on the sizing of the jacketed bullet is they swell back up a couple of thousands from the sizing sizing die. As example the .356 is sized down to the .350 too get the .352 for the .351-sl cart.

I do the cast bullets .356 down to the .352 for the 351-SL win.

I use the Lee sizer for the jacketed bullets. $26.00 plus shipping from Lee . Have a couple in custom dia. for the old worn barrels

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Vince wrote:

I don’t know if there would be any benefits from swaging factory projectiles unless, as you say, they are for a smaller calibre. But why not buy the correct projectiles in the first place?

There is a pretty limited selection of rifle bullets in 0.355" diameter, although that is changing. Personally I wouldn't bother trying to swage bullets for it, unless I was really bored.

This .350 Legend appears to be becoming pretty popular, at least in some crowds. Especially those states where you are limited to straight wall cartridges for hunting. People buying into the advertising and gossip I guess.

It's a mediocre cartridge, slightly less powerful that a .30-30. It's only appeal to me was that it would fit in an AR-15 platform, and there seem to be a lot of problems getting it to feed. I still haven't shot mine because it jammed the first round I tried to chamber. I've just set it aside for now while I tinker with some other stuff.

Elvis · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

soooo if its slightly less powerful than 30/30 and is made for the AR-15 platform....its a 7.62x39mm/300blackout in preformance,just dressed up differently!!!!!!!!!

slimjim · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Straight-wall cartridge is the key. Some states have regulations that only allow straight wall cartridges for deer hunting, otherwise its shotgun slugs. It's nice to have a firearm choice other than slugs from shotguns.

Pkslinger, sorry to hear about feeding problems. Does the Legend have a dedicated magazine or just use 5.56? Folks sometime have problems with 300 BO feeding from 5.56 magazines. I solved mine by taking a plastic mag (Mappul) and using a file to take down the front rib that make contact with the .224 bullet. After I did made clearance for the .308 bullets, my feeding issues were resolved. I will also flare metal magazine feed libs just enough to let the bullet ride nose high when at the top of the magazine. Left me know if pictures would help.

PaulS · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Since the lead in the bullet is softer and less elastic than the jacket won't the jacket just separate from the lead? That's going to make a mess of things.

RePete · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:02 am Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

I was given almost a 1000 bullets (plated) that were out of round. I resized them using the Lee bullet sizer shown by Pete. Worked fine.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Elvis, pretty much! The straight case is the reason for it's existence.

Slim, the Legend can't use regular 5.56 mags, because of the straight wall. I have dedicated mags and you can modify Magpul to work too. The jam appears to have been caused by a sharp edge grabbing the case, there is a "cut" on the case. I should be able to smooth that out pretty easily whenever I get around to it.

Paul, I kinda wondered about separation too, in a "cup & core" bullet. A bonded type might be better?

Pete, do you think the plating might adhere to the lead better?

Understand that this is pretty much a mental exercise, I don't think I'll be trying it.

RePete · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Mike:

I think the plating was thicker on one side than the other after swaging. FMJ's may be different, but get the correct size to begin with - slug your barrel.

pete4d · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

Pete, do you think the plating might adhere to the lead better?

.

From what I understand Scratch

is the lead is under sized , then the copper ex spans as in pulling away from the lead.

I could be wrong but thats the way I read the article , months ago

PaulS · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:44 am Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

Me too Pete but it's been years ago for me. Plated bullets might be OK and if the core is well bonded it should be good. I question how well bonded they really are. Plated bullets are electro-bonded but the plating is brittle... Never tried it but it may be fine.

pete4d · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:07 am Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

A little more info on the resizing .. link below

www.shootersforum.com/...ter.63010/

English Mike · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Swaging jacketed bullets?

PaulS wrote:

Me too Pete but it's been years ago for me. Plated bullets might be OK and if the core is well bonded it should be good. I question how well bonded they really are. Plated bullets are electro-bonded but the plating is brittle... Never tried it but it may be fine.

I've put a crimp on non cannelure, plated bullets (Berrys) in the past & had no issues with the plating separating. I'm thinking there may be some sort of molecular bond formed.