The Science of Swaging: Why It Beats Casting and Punching
When it comes to precision projectiles, not all methods of making them are created equal. Many shooters are familiar with casting (melting and pouring lead into molds) or punching (stamping out shapes with presses). But the process of swaging — forming projectiles under controlled pressure — is what separates good enough from world-class accuracy.
Casting vs. Punching vs. Swaging
- Casting: Simple, but prone to weight variations, voids, and surface imperfections. Heat and cooling cycles can cause inconsistencies.
- Punching: Faster for mass production but sacrifices precision. It’s efficient, but dimensional tolerances are looser.
- Swaging: Uses pressure and precision dies to form each slug identically, with tight tolerances, perfect concentricity, and smooth finishes. Every dimension can be controlled down to the thousandth of an inch.
Why Swaging Matters for Airguns
Airguns are uniquely sensitive to inconsistencies. A small difference in diameter, weight, or concentricity can throw shots wide — especially at long range. Swaging ensures:
- Uniform weight distribution → tighter groups
- Smooth surfaces → less barrel fouling, better BCs
- Consistent diameters → reliable chambering and seal
That’s why when you’re stretching shots out past 100 yards, swaged slugs outperform almost every other method.
Corbin’s Role in the Industry
For over 50 years, Corbin has specialized in swaging equipment — building the dies and presses that supply some of the most respected slug manufacturers in the world. Many of the PCP brands airgunners trust today made Corbin their first call when they decided to get serious about precision.
From hand tools to fully automated hydraulic systems, Corbin has set the standard for uniformity and repeatability in ammunition tooling. Entire companies have built their success on Corbin equipment.
Why This Matters to You
The next time you send a slug downrange and watch it land dead-center, it’s worth remembering:
- Precision isn’t an accident.
- It comes from the right process, the right design, and the right tooling.
- Often, that story begins with swaging — and with Corbin.
