Swaging bullets from .40 S&W brass
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:30 pm
Hello all,
I've been reading from this board for a few weeks now and finally decided to take the dive. Just recently sold a rifle and took the earning to purchase a RAR in 450 BM and topped it with a Leupold 2x7x33. Haven't even taken the rifle out yet as the weather here in WA has been less than stellar. May get it out this weekend.
I recently found some topics on this and other forums discussing swaging .452 jacketed bullets with .40 S&W brass and lead bullets. Given that I only have about 10 months left of active duty, 50+ cents per bullet means a lot less trigger time while still meeting savings goals. This method seems like a great way to spend even more time at the reloading bench while punching out bullets for less than 10ยข a piece.
I have ordered the following and am awaiting arrival:
.243 RCBS full length die
.452 Lee push through sizing die
180 gr .401 dia cowboy bullets (12 BNH; Missouri Cowboy #10)
A few questions to those who have taken this endeavor:
1. After ordering the bare bullets (no lube or coating) I started digging into the brinnel scale. Hindsight is always 20/20... Is 12 BNH too hard for this? Or will I just need to crank down more on the press?
2. Rough calculations based off others who have swaged their own .452 bullets using this method tell me this process, with no trimming of the .40 cases, should result in roughly 275 gr of bullet. Does this sound right with a case and a 180 grainer?
3. Another great post here spoke of XTP vs XTP mag and why only mags should be used in the rough environment of a 450 BM chamber and especially when considering the fast twist of the RAR. With annealing the .40 brass and swaging, will the jacket hold up to velocities greater than 2200 FPS? I feel like it should, but most the posts I read on the subject were for 45 ACP bullets.
Lastly, I have a Dillon 550B plus a single stage adapter kit. Gives me great flexibility in reloading, but I have never swaged on it and I'm hoping the stress doesn't hurt the press. Given the meat this press has, I really am not concerned, but if you guys have anything to say on the topic of swaging stress to a standard press, I'm all ears.
Thanks all in advance! This forum is quite the knowledge house for the reloading/ gun nerd I have become.
I've been reading from this board for a few weeks now and finally decided to take the dive. Just recently sold a rifle and took the earning to purchase a RAR in 450 BM and topped it with a Leupold 2x7x33. Haven't even taken the rifle out yet as the weather here in WA has been less than stellar. May get it out this weekend.
I recently found some topics on this and other forums discussing swaging .452 jacketed bullets with .40 S&W brass and lead bullets. Given that I only have about 10 months left of active duty, 50+ cents per bullet means a lot less trigger time while still meeting savings goals. This method seems like a great way to spend even more time at the reloading bench while punching out bullets for less than 10ยข a piece.
I have ordered the following and am awaiting arrival:
.243 RCBS full length die
.452 Lee push through sizing die
180 gr .401 dia cowboy bullets (12 BNH; Missouri Cowboy #10)
A few questions to those who have taken this endeavor:
1. After ordering the bare bullets (no lube or coating) I started digging into the brinnel scale. Hindsight is always 20/20... Is 12 BNH too hard for this? Or will I just need to crank down more on the press?
2. Rough calculations based off others who have swaged their own .452 bullets using this method tell me this process, with no trimming of the .40 cases, should result in roughly 275 gr of bullet. Does this sound right with a case and a 180 grainer?
3. Another great post here spoke of XTP vs XTP mag and why only mags should be used in the rough environment of a 450 BM chamber and especially when considering the fast twist of the RAR. With annealing the .40 brass and swaging, will the jacket hold up to velocities greater than 2200 FPS? I feel like it should, but most the posts I read on the subject were for 45 ACP bullets.
Lastly, I have a Dillon 550B plus a single stage adapter kit. Gives me great flexibility in reloading, but I have never swaged on it and I'm hoping the stress doesn't hurt the press. Given the meat this press has, I really am not concerned, but if you guys have anything to say on the topic of swaging stress to a standard press, I'm all ears.
Thanks all in advance! This forum is quite the knowledge house for the reloading/ gun nerd I have become.