Have made bullets, both lead and jacketed, in the past- is anyone 'specializing' in airgun slug dies?
Mod Edit: moved to Pellets, Projectiles, Slugs and Ammo forum
Mod Edit: moved to Pellets, Projectiles, Slugs and Ammo forum
Who makes/sells swag dies for lead slugs?
- Thread starter hi-vel
- Start date
http://www.corbins.com/pellets.htm
I know of a machinist who can make you one but that would actually cost more than Corbin.
John
I know of a machinist who can make you one but that would actually cost more than Corbin.
John
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https://www.gmiestore.com/
Take it for what it is worth. I bought the 30 cal die and have been making some but i think i really need to wait for the FX impact 30 cal slug liner. They measure right at 30 cal and while they fit in the pellet liner they feel tight. Little scared to pull the trigger since my MK 2 is like a month old.....LOL. He has a video out there to if you look up the company.
I ordered the .25 version they have as well which hasn't arrived yet with a .25 slug liner on the way.
Will see shortly. They call out the 22 on his site, so i assume that is tested.
(Oh, customer service was freaking awesome though. My bottom part was hanging just a bit and he walked me through what to do but said dont worry was sending a replacement backup.)
On a side note i have a cutter like the on his site he points to but it wont fit the 30 cal lead wire. I figured out a few work around. He also sends some cutters as well. Still kind of new at this. I kept trying to nails exact weights consistently but i have started allowing like a .3% deviation just because it saves me a lot of work. Hoping the 25 wire fits through the hole and makes cutting consistent pieces easier. (I think it will just eyeballing the 30 cal lead) I push it on a 2 ton arbor press and that makes it very easy and slugs are beautiful. He recommends a .5 to 1 ton press, but obviously i have to overkill everything. Explains the FX Impact MKII, 4 barrels, multiple silencers & shrouds(Huggett and Donny FL), etc.
Am am looking for an alt manufacturer as well just to test a few but man it is hard to find.
Take it for what it is worth. I bought the 30 cal die and have been making some but i think i really need to wait for the FX impact 30 cal slug liner. They measure right at 30 cal and while they fit in the pellet liner they feel tight. Little scared to pull the trigger since my MK 2 is like a month old.....LOL. He has a video out there to if you look up the company.
I ordered the .25 version they have as well which hasn't arrived yet with a .25 slug liner on the way.
Will see shortly. They call out the 22 on his site, so i assume that is tested.(Oh, customer service was freaking awesome though. My bottom part was hanging just a bit and he walked me through what to do but said dont worry was sending a replacement backup.)
On a side note i have a cutter like the on his site he points to but it wont fit the 30 cal lead wire. I figured out a few work around. He also sends some cutters as well. Still kind of new at this. I kept trying to nails exact weights consistently but i have started allowing like a .3% deviation just because it saves me a lot of work. Hoping the 25 wire fits through the hole and makes cutting consistent pieces easier. (I think it will just eyeballing the 30 cal lead) I push it on a 2 ton arbor press and that makes it very easy and slugs are beautiful. He recommends a .5 to 1 ton press, but obviously i have to overkill everything. Explains the FX Impact MKII, 4 barrels, multiple silencers & shrouds(Huggett and Donny FL), etc.
Am am looking for an alt manufacturer as well just to test a few but man it is hard to find.
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Cajunvol- thanks for the note, lots of good information. I have run into the same issue with locating suppliers. The GMI website looks interesting, I will look forward to hearing how the dies work for you in the long run.
While I have the knowledge and experience to probably produce it myself, but I think I am getting lazy in my old age… My background starts when I was in college and blindly fell into a communications friendship with a couple of the old time 17 caliber centerfire bullet manufacturers. I had read PO Ackley's book on wildcating and so as just a shot in the dark I wrote him (Ackley) a letter – danged if he didn't reply! He suggested I contact a couple of people he had mentioned in his book and gave me their addresses – danged if they didn't reply when I wrote them a letter!
After prolonged letter communication and a couple of phone calls, a gentleman by the name of CH Stocking ended up packing his 17 caliber self-made swaging dies and press and sending them to me. Couldn't believe it! I learned the process on his gear, then returned it to him. Being broke at the time I really could not even offer to buy it. What a fantastic experience, along with falling into a willing mentor(s). Stocking had made his own press, dies, and the reamers to make the dies with. And he did it all on a 11 inch Southbend Lathe, with a milling and tool grinder attachments in his basement… A different day, time and attitude.
I have used the Corbin die sets, again for centerfire rifle bullet manufacturing and have had good success there. I suspect I need to call them and see what they can offer. I think my RockChuck press will do the job, as slugs are close to pure lead. I had hoped there was someone out there who made the die set that would allow me to just buy it and run. I think there are a lot of centerfire converts out there, who like me, have access to a fair amount of reloading equipment. Time will tell, I will let you know my success/failure in the next few months…
Where I am trying to get to – I have a new FX Impact on order in .25, and see it having enough adjustability to really take advantage of different bullet shapes. The power is there and it appears the accuracy is exceptional. I am primarily a varmint shooter, ground squirrels in alfalfa fields, and commonly shoot a fairly high volume of squirrels during the spring and summer (700 – 1000 per day). Shots run from 25/30 yards out to as far as you would care to try. It is a larger alfalfa operation, approximately 21 mi.². Wind is normally calm the 1st one to 2 hours of daylight, then the wind education begins…
Thanks again for the reply, I will continue to update as I move forward. Have a great day- good luck and good shooting. Cliff B (Hi-vel)
While I have the knowledge and experience to probably produce it myself, but I think I am getting lazy in my old age…
My background starts when I was in college and blindly fell into a communications friendship with a couple of the old time 17 caliber centerfire bullet manufacturers. I had read PO Ackley's book on wildcating and so as just a shot in the dark I wrote him (Ackley) a letter – danged if he didn't reply! He suggested I contact a couple of people he had mentioned in his book and gave me their addresses – danged if they didn't reply when I wrote them a letter!After prolonged letter communication and a couple of phone calls, a gentleman by the name of CH Stocking ended up packing his 17 caliber self-made swaging dies and press and sending them to me. Couldn't believe it! I learned the process on his gear, then returned it to him. Being broke at the time I really could not even offer to buy it. What a fantastic experience, along with falling into a willing mentor(s). Stocking had made his own press, dies, and the reamers to make the dies with. And he did it all on a 11 inch Southbend Lathe, with a milling and tool grinder attachments in his basement… A different day, time and attitude.
I have used the Corbin die sets, again for centerfire rifle bullet manufacturing and have had good success there. I suspect I need to call them and see what they can offer. I think my RockChuck press will do the job, as slugs are close to pure lead. I had hoped there was someone out there who made the die set that would allow me to just buy it and run. I think there are a lot of centerfire converts out there, who like me, have access to a fair amount of reloading equipment. Time will tell, I will let you know my success/failure in the next few months…
Where I am trying to get to – I have a new FX Impact on order in .25, and see it having enough adjustability to really take advantage of different bullet shapes. The power is there and it appears the accuracy is exceptional. I am primarily a varmint shooter, ground squirrels in alfalfa fields, and commonly shoot a fairly high volume of squirrels during the spring and summer (700 – 1000 per day). Shots run from 25/30 yards out to as far as you would care to try. It is a larger alfalfa operation, approximately 21 mi.². Wind is normally calm the 1st one to 2 hours of daylight, then the wind education begins…
Thanks again for the reply, I will continue to update as I move forward. Have a great day- good luck and good shooting. Cliff B (Hi-vel)
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Nation,
I have on order from Corbin (should be any day now), 2 sets of swaging dies for my competition Steyr, TM1000, and other guns. I'm getting 2 dies, both in .1755, which has been matched to my barrels. One will be 1/2 ogive, and the other will be 3/4 ogive. Both will have the capability of being a solid point, or a hollow point. With the hollowpoint, I'll be able to change the depth of the hollow cavity, thus being able to change the center of gravity for different weight pellets. I'll be able to make pellets from 8 grains on up with both designs.
When I receive these dies, I will do a complete video on my channel.
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
I have on order from Corbin (should be any day now), 2 sets of swaging dies for my competition Steyr, TM1000, and other guns. I'm getting 2 dies, both in .1755, which has been matched to my barrels. One will be 1/2 ogive, and the other will be 3/4 ogive. Both will have the capability of being a solid point, or a hollow point. With the hollowpoint, I'll be able to change the depth of the hollow cavity, thus being able to change the center of gravity for different weight pellets. I'll be able to make pellets from 8 grains on up with both designs.
When I receive these dies, I will do a complete video on my channel.
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
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Nation,
Just got word, dies are in transit......keep you guys posted.
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
Just got word, dies are in transit......keep you guys posted.
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
Upvote 0
I use Corbin Dies for .25 cal. slugs. I shared a video here on AGN shooting .25 cal. slugs at 173 yards, that still blows a can of water to shreds.
A 75 FPE .25 cal. gun shooting a "properly designed" 37gr. - 39gr. HP slug will destroy those Ground Squirrels out past 200 yards. DRT. with my slug gun.
I would recommend using the Corbin Press instead of a reloading press. Superior leverage for swaging. Only need to buy it once.
I would also slug the barrel of your gun that's on order, (once received) and send them to Dave at Corbins. If you go that way.
Just my .02 cents.
Wow, 700 - 1000 Squirrels. I need new friends.............
Sounds like Tom Holland's a happy camper.
A 75 FPE .25 cal. gun shooting a "properly designed" 37gr. - 39gr. HP slug will destroy those Ground Squirrels out past 200 yards. DRT. with my slug gun.
I would recommend using the Corbin Press instead of a reloading press. Superior leverage for swaging. Only need to buy it once.
I would also slug the barrel of your gun that's on order, (once received) and send them to Dave at Corbins. If you go that way.
Just my .02 cents.
Wow, 700 - 1000 Squirrels. I need new friends.............
Sounds like Tom Holland's a happy camper.
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Long Shot,
I'll be a happier camper when I get $1000+ worth of dies in my hands.....waiting for the mail is KILLING me!!! And you're right, I am a happy camper!!!!
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
I'll be a happier camper when I get $1000+ worth of dies in my hands.....waiting for the mail is KILLING me!!! And you're right, I am a happy camper!!!!
Tom Holland
Field Target Tech
Upvote 0
They call me when my stuff is done. I drive the 30 +or- miles and pick up what ever I needed this time.
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Cliff - If you choose Corbin, here's something that no one seems to talk much about slugs. Seat depth.
Once you have a press and dies, there's so many different bases and HP configurations to experiment with.
Took 3 different HP pin designs and a of experimenting before I got the "perfect one" in .25 cal.
I have 5 different bases and that gives me a lot of different options. Very important! In my opinion.
Slugs need to be set to just the right depth inside the barrel. Not deep enough can be very accurate with crazy flyers.
Too deep. I mean if you feel resistance closing the bolt because it is forcing the slug past it's ideal depth. Terrible accuracy.
I've personally never had anything shoot accurately that was a "force fit" when closing the bolt in my guns. Even pellets.
My 2 slug only guns bolts close with almost no feel of the slug.
PCP's don't have an adjustable bolt for depth.
So the different bases can give you more options for the length / weight to get the right fit.
I just thought this might be some info. to think about as you decide what you want.
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LongShot- What you say makes perfect sense to me. The bullet to throat relationship has always been critical in my centerfire and rimfire shooting. Of course with the FX the pressure variation has pretty well been worked through. In the centerfire application I found that depending on the powder/burning curve, my best accuracy was usually at/barely touching the lands/throat. The exception to that was some of the slow burning powders used with magnums or significantly over bore cartridges, combined with the slow powders.
I had thought that some sort of a cupped/pressure expanded base would probably work best, but I do not have any experience to draw on. I did not expect the rebated or boat tail base to work well, due to thinking that some degree of base expansion was going to be needed.
Perhaps you have also stumbled on one of the possible variables that could address "non-performing" slugs. What if you could adjust the probe to different seating depths? Or spring loaded, to account for a specific pressure in the seating of the slug? Just some random thoughts…
Thank you for the post, it certainly has me thinking further…
Have a great week, good shooting! Hi-vel
I had thought that some sort of a cupped/pressure expanded base would probably work best, but I do not have any experience to draw on. I did not expect the rebated or boat tail base to work well, due to thinking that some degree of base expansion was going to be needed.
Perhaps you have also stumbled on one of the possible variables that could address "non-performing" slugs. What if you could adjust the probe to different seating depths? Or spring loaded, to account for a specific pressure in the seating of the slug? Just some random thoughts…
Thank you for the post, it certainly has me thinking further…
Have a great week, good shooting! Hi-vel
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Hi-vel - You said,
"Perhaps you have also stumbled on one of the possible variables that could address "non-performing" slugs. What if you could adjust the probe to different seating depths?"
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BINGO ! - I think that it's far more important than most of us are aware. Someone just posted Bullet Jump here recently. They were thinking the same thing.
A feel that a lot of people getting poor groups out of certain slugs they try may have this small non-adjustable issue working against them.
I was considering making an adjustable bolt for my Cricket .25 built, so I could dial in the right slug OAL to bolt leade in relationship.
Instead I chose to make slugs 1/10th of a grain at a time, until I got the groups @ 42 yards I was looking for.
My barrel had a leade in cut for a 37gr. Rat Sniper slug I had at the time.
Surprise, the 38.1gr. slug I make is the most accurate and the same OAL and ogive as the R.S. slug.
All barrels are different. It seems to be very important with slugs in my barrels.
A cupped base slug isn't necessary, by the way. Lots of flat base slugs out there.
I have a very slight cup base slug. Mostly for the pin style of bolt probe to center the slug into the bore straight.
"Perhaps you have also stumbled on one of the possible variables that could address "non-performing" slugs. What if you could adjust the probe to different seating depths?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BINGO ! - I think that it's far more important than most of us are aware. Someone just posted Bullet Jump here recently. They were thinking the same thing.
A feel that a lot of people getting poor groups out of certain slugs they try may have this small non-adjustable issue working against them.
I was considering making an adjustable bolt for my Cricket .25 built, so I could dial in the right slug OAL to bolt leade in relationship.
Instead I chose to make slugs 1/10th of a grain at a time, until I got the groups @ 42 yards I was looking for.
My barrel had a leade in cut for a 37gr. Rat Sniper slug I had at the time.
Surprise, the 38.1gr. slug I make is the most accurate and the same OAL and ogive as the R.S. slug.
All barrels are different. It seems to be very important with slugs in my barrels.
A cupped base slug isn't necessary, by the way. Lots of flat base slugs out there.
I have a very slight cup base slug. Mostly for the pin style of bolt probe to center the slug into the bore straight.
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G
Guest
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GMI .22 Hp slugs at 25 yards, These are non-uniform, unsorted slugs made using JSB jumbo monsters. Yes, pellets were swaged in slugs and they performed well out of FX.
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