Presslug support and discussions

[5teven]

Yikes, what's your core weight and where are you getting the wire from. What cal and what size wire are you using. Using to much lube will cause pitting. For the back of the slug, getting a flashing usually means the punch is undersized, or the die is oversized. Punch to die should be just a few .0001.

Hi, my core weight is about 33 grains, and my finished projectiles are 30 grains. So, my lead squirrel is about 1/2 to 3/4 inches. I'm swaging a .217 caliber at the moment. I get my lead wire from a local source, and I was told it's pure lead. For swaging lube, I've mixed lanolin and castor oil, which is suspended in isopropyl alcohol. I then spray this onto my pre-cut cores prior to swaging. Thanks for everyone's input. I'm quite frustrated at the moment.

 

[sb327]

It sounds as though your core weight is sufficient.

Local and ‘being told’ it’s pure lead may be a little suspect. Maybe not. Definitely something you may want to verify somehow.

Bleed hole diameter has an effect on pressure created, you can measure the squirt diameter and get that information to compare with others here.

And again, wire condition (mainly discoloration due to oxidation) matters.

As for swage lube, I find that less is better. And I mean as minimum as possible.

Good luck with getting this sorted out.

Dave

 

[5teven]

It sounds as though your core weight is sufficient.

Local and ‘being told’ it’s pure lead may be a little suspect. Maybe not. Definitely something you may want to verify somehow.

Bleed hole diameter has an effect on pressure created, you can measure the squirt diameter and get that information to compare with others here.

And again, wire condition (mainly discoloration due to oxidation) matters.

As for swage lube, I find that less is better. And I mean as minimum as possible.

Good luck with getting this sorted out.

Dave

Thanks, this is great information. I will confirm my hole diameter later and post my results

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

Just out of curiosity, what size are the slugs once pressed vs the OD of the punch, assuming you got a set of calibers.

 

[5teven]

Just out of curiosity, what size are the slugs once pressed vs the OD of the punch, assuming you got a set of calibers.

Hi, good point.. I measured the punch .216 and the slug .2165

 

[5teven]

So I reduced my lube which I already thought was minimal and this is the results. Only some flashing on every other slug. Not perfect but an improvement.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

That may explain the flashing on the base. Besides that, how do they shoot? Im not familiar with many .22 guns liking .2165. Hope it works out for you.

 

[5teven]

That may explain the flashing on the base. Besides that, how do they shoot? Im not familiar with many .22 guns liking .2165. Hope it works out for you.

Hi Yes this might, I'll measure with a micrometer tomorrow. Not sure what tolerance should be between the die and punch?

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

In a perfect world, .0002 / .0003

 

[5teven]

That may explain the flashing on the base. Besides that, how do they shoot? Im not familiar with many .22 guns liking .2165. Hope it works out for you.

They shoot great, no problem there. Interesting I get slightly better groupings at 50m plus with the tumbled batch, go figure

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

My other press is a Thor and has about .0008 and requires removing the flashing with a razor blade.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

They shoot great, no problem there. Interesting I get slightly better groupings at 50m plus with the tumbled batch, go figure

What do the measure out with them being tumbled.

 

[5teven]

In a perfect world, .0002 / .0003

Yeah, im roughly at 0.0005. Will confirm with the Mic tomorrow

 

[5teven]

What do the measure out with them being tumbled.

The same .2165.. I only give them a short tumble in a vibratory tumbler with either corn cob or rice as the medium. My rifle prefers .218 so I will be making my own 218 die and punch set soon.

 

[5teven]

What do the measure out with them being tumbled.

The same .2165.. I only give them a short tumble in a vibratory tumbler with either corn cob or rice as the medium. My rifle prefers .218 so I will be making my own 218 die and punch set soon.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

Yeah, I don’t know what's going on with Presslug and the larger dies, and even with the .2173 they had listed that was never available, that's borderline for most. One guy here had to powder coat his to shoot well but hasn't posted anything for a while. It's a shame you need to invest more and anyone selling that die setup for .22 should be ashamed of themselves.

FYI, GMI Engineering makes a adaptor to use their dies for your press now.

 

[5teven]

Yeah, I don’t know what's going on with Presslug and the larger dies, and even with the .2173 they had listed that was never available, that's borderline for most. One guy here had to powder coat his to shoot well but hasn't posted anything for a while. It's a shame you need to invest more and anyone selling that die setup for .22 should be ashamed of themselves.

FYI, GMI Engineering makes a adaptor to use their dies for your press now.

I hear you. Fortunately, the press is well-made and of great overall quality. As for the punch and dies, the new crown setup makes it easy and cheaper to get replacement dies made if you have access to the right equipment. Fortunately, I have access to a tool and die machine shop and will be making my own dies. To get back to the product, I have now contacted them twice via email with no response. It's a pity, as this is a really well-made press and could be so much more.

 

[5teven]

That said and in all fairness I have managed to reduce the flashing by re aligning the punch and die but still not perfect.

 

[5teven]

Also overall finish is not to bad, but I think getting better lead with some antimonium could possibly improve the flashing issue, any thoughts?

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

Getting better, playing around with different lubes also helps with the finish. I agree, that's definitely a nice looking press.