We've all seen the add on a certain company's website. Now for the real question. Who has a kit to make bullets that isn't $833.00?

That is 8 and a half boxes (4250) of 77 grain SMK's or 18 boxes (9000) of 55 grain HP Varmint Nightmare Extremes.

I have sources for lead and brass but don't think a $833 kit makes it worth while. Does any one make this type of die for less?

Found the "Swaging bullets using 22 LR cases" thread interesting.

Since you ask...

LE Blackmon, leblackmon@colla.com, has the derim die for short, long, and long rifle for $75.00 last list I saw and you go from there. (Plus shipping of course.)

Real simple, you "make" a uniform piece of lead by squeezing it in a defined volume. Lead flows easily. Called "core swaging." Point is you only need one die for multiple calibers. A .20 cal core could be used in .20, .22, 24, .25... jackets... Probably not practical for .40 or .45 or .50... Trifle light. So get a second in .375 and make cores for the "big stuff." Or .358.

2nd step is core seat. There you expand the jacket at the base by squeezing in the lead slug "core." You need one of these for a given diameter. .224? .258? etc.

3rd step is "point form." You need one of these for each "point" you wish to form. RN (round nose)? 6-s spires? 4-s spire?

And if you must have a neet lead tip on the end, that is another die... Technically, a hollow point also requires a pin to for a hole in the core, not just an open tip... (Read the books CAREFULLY and save money on mistakes. Then ask the die maker.)

Mr. Blackmon is more reasonable and supposedly not as busy as some. Good delivery time.

Mr. Corbin, Dave has a brother with his own business. Richard at rceco.com.

There are specialists, Deutsch, Nemi bros., etc. Their addresses appear on occasion. I don't have them at hand. Very specialized. Not cheap. But worth the price to winning shooters.

Both Dave and Richard have books on their web sites for your edification. (Sans pictures regrettably, but you don't miss much. I bought the books before inet was wide spread.)

Basically, you get what you pay for. Dave has done more "educating" and charges for it. Not unfair. Any machine shop can do the work... but if you have to pay for hours when they are "learning" then the price gets really high.


RCBS stands for Rock Chucker Bullet Swages. Fred began making dies like this for bullet short Rock chuck Shooters on west coast. Nothing Jerry Brown wants or remember I am sure. Both Hornady and Speer (as partners) began this way during WW II (and the bullet shortage unless you were in uniform and shooting bad guys). What can you make of it? Good question. Luck. Happy Trails.

Thanks for the info for other die makers. I've been reloading for about 15 years and thought about trying home made bullets for a while since about half of what I shoot is .22 LR.

you do pay for the quality.
but mostly the tolerances is where the money goes.
swaging is an education in how a bullet works,and provides a means to experiment in making something other than whats offered.
besides that where else are you going to get a 60 gr bullet you can use for prairie dogs.
then modify that same bullet by bonding the core,annealing only the nose, controlling expansion with a deep canellure, and use it for antelope hunting.
with the same load,sight settings, everything.

or bump the weight up to 72 grs with a few twists of the wrist and a different core weight.

Opps... I forgot something. Memory getting thin like my hair.

If you buy something from Mr. Dave Corbin, you go on a sale flyer list. My experience, usually around the end of the year, Xmas, like that (and into next year a month or so). Discounts from 20% to 50%, sometimes more. Helps bunches with inventory... If they list what you are looking for.

Dave has done the big promotion in my lifetime/experience and deserves compensation... (another thing the government doesn't support). Regan..."if it moves tax it. If it stops moving, subsidize it. and if it keeps moving, regulate it... That is what is wrong with liberals...)

b). I don't think you found the "R" dies section. If you have a Rockchucker Press or equivalent, then you can get dies to do the swagging of .224s in same for a whole lot less. Not quite as slick, but saves a bunch. luck.

One does not have to get either a die or a core cutter (lead wire cutter) to form bullet cores.

Either of the Corbins can supply an adjustable core mould which allows one to cast 4 cores at a time, and you can choose how long the cast cores are by just adjusting the mould. That allows a fair bit of flexibility as to core weight (and finished bullet weight).

It also gives you the flexibility to use a core alloy of just the hardness you want.

I have Corbin core moulds for my own use; they work easily and well.