In the 'bonded' bullets, what is the actual process of performing the 'bonding'. Obviously there's a little more involved than just swagging and point-up.

Michael

I'm no expert, but I have read that many "bonded" bullets have their jackets "bonded" to the lead cores, by means of an electroplating process (or other chemical process) that puts copper on lead at the molecular level. The result is a jacket with no measureable separation between jacket and core - as if the jacket was bonded directly to the core. Hence, then name.

No matter how perfectly one swages copper around a lead core, there will always be a measureable, microscopic space between the jacket and core...which will result in a jacket/core separation when the bullet hits flesh at high impact velocity/energy. Bonded bullets are the fruit of research to prevent this from happening.

TXLoader

I am not totally sure but I do believe that the jacket is not swaged over a lead core but the lead is actually poured molten into a premade jacket. This will eliminate much of the space between the jacket and core, making the bullet "bonded." I am not absolutely positive about this but I have heard this somewhere before.

30-378, that's the Speer Hot-core process you are descirbing, and it does work, somewhat. Hot cores are some of the best cup bullets out there for hunting

According to all the mettallurgists, you can not "bond" lead and gilding metal.

Jack Carter of Trophy Bonded figured out how to do it anyway, but I've never learned how he did it. FWIW, Dutch.

Speer Hotcores are not a bonded core bullet. There may be more than one bonding process that works, but my understanding is that the cores are in effect soldered to the inside of the jacket.

Bonded bullets have the lead cores soldered to the copper jackets. Examples are North Forks, Swift A-frame, Trophy Bonded Bearclaws and Bitterroots.
The Speer gold dot bullets are examples of a bullet in which the lead core has had its jacket electroplated to it.

I have ordered 416 bullet making gear from Richard Corbin. To make the bonded core bullets the cores are placed in the jacket then Hydrocloric acid based flux is added, then the core/jacket is heated until the lead melts. Then the bullet is swaged.

Please note I have not done this yet since my gear is not here yet

Mike

Generally they meet at an open and public place. Date for awhile, and then privately enjoy each other's company.

After awhile they become "enamored", then they fall in "love", get married and are "bonded".

I understand that the bonding is a form of "soldering" that permanently creates a metallurgical adhesion that will not let go. Whatever it is, it works! I have shot many different "bonded" bullets. Bitterroots, Blue Points, A-frames, Sciroccos, North Forks and Trophy Bonded Bearclaws. All performed as claimed and hung onto the core something fierce. Even the Scirocco, which turned almost inside out, still retained 145 grains [started at 180], even after breaking large bone. Regards, Eagleye.

quote:

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After awhile they become "enamored", then they fall in "love", get married and are "bonded".

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Followed by "divorce" (core/jacket separation) and "bankruptcy" (lost game).

Bullets, a metaphor for life.



R-WEST

Last October, during my tour of the Norma factory, I noticed that molten lead was poured into the jackets of the Oryx bullets in addition to a proprietary bonding process they wouldn't disclose.

Corbon handgun ammo uses a special epoxy glue from the people who make lock-tite to "bond" the lead core to the jacket. There is obviously more than ine way to do it.