I have Corbin Swaging Dies, in .25 cal. (.2500") and their press. Not a reloader.
Two styles of Hollow points, with 3 different base types.
About 29.5 gr. min. to any length/ weight that will fit into your chamber.
30.5 gr. HP slugs work best from my Cricket. So far.
I haven't got to make as many as I'd like for testing, due to lack of time.
But, my 5-Shot 40 yard groups, (close range to rule wind out) were just an oval hole.
Slugs - Approx. average .125" -.135" C/C
All pellets @ 40 yrds. have been more of a Clover leaf type of group from the same Cricket.
Pellets - Approx. average .250" -.400" C/C
Hope that makes sense.
Swagging pellets is not cheap unless you have the press and related equipment already. NSA (Nielsen Specialty Ammo) uses all Corbin dies, it is a lot cheaper to buy from them than to buy all the equipment and experiment with dies until I found something that made slugs that shot well.
Thanks all,
I did order a sampling from NSA that is in transit.
Sounds like pretty good groups at 40 yards.
I'm fully aware of the cost (especially my wife) but have been tossing the idea around for a few years now. My intentions are to not only swage pellets but also .22, 308, and .338 jacketed bullets. Paper patched bullets in my 375 are another thought.
I've been reloading for over 40 years and at last count I have over 12 different varieties of presses, from RCBS, LEE, Lyman etc. in single stage, to Lyman, and Lee in turrets, and a few STAR progressives.
Needless to say It's much more a hobby then any cost savings. Beats the heck out of spending it at a bar. LOL
Mike Lenardon - Has good advice for most of us. Time consuming hobby for the average person.
yukoncat - You're reloading experience along with other bullet needs make this more useful and possibly cost effective for you.
For me it's a lot to do with the want or need to make your own custom size and shape slugs. $$$ Had no influence for me.
The fact that Corbin is about 30 miles away from my house did have an influence on my decision though.
Long range (100 - 200 yards) in a stock .25 cal. with a 30 -31 grain shooting @ approximately 880 FPS is were they really excel.
Most airguners aren't going to shoot that far, so it's not to important for most of us. I do a lot of 150 - 200 yard shooting, so it was an easy choice for me to get the hole setup.
At 100 yards with some wind they will be far less effected than any weight diablo pellet design.
The hollow point design for small game (@ the correct velocity) will out performs diablos too.
Photo is 31 gr. Rat Sniper Slugs after passing through a ground squirrel cadaver vitals @ 60 yards. @ 6' from muzzle 878 FPS.
Thanks all,
I did order a sampling from NSA that is in transit.
Sounds like pretty good groups at 40 yards.
I'm fully aware of the cost (especially my wife) but have been tossing the idea around for a few years now. My intentions are to not only swage pellets but also .22, 308, and .338 jacketed bullets. Paper patched bullets in my 375 are another thought.
I've been reloading for over 40 years and at last count I have over 12 different varieties of presses, from RCBS, LEE, Lyman etc. in single stage, to Lyman, and Lee in turrets, and a few STAR progressives.
Needless to say It's much more a hobby then any cost savings. Beats the heck out of spending it at a bar. LOL
I've swaged more than a few pellets.
This was a "sampler" within a single weight of different configurations of hollow bases and hollow points.
I've also used the Keith SWC design.
I've learned a few things in ballistics by making my own projectiles, I also swaged 0.308" hunting bullets and 0.224" experimental SLP's that were shot in a modified 0.416" Taylor.
It IS a hobby unto its own. Absorbing and demanding. But a ton of fun and you learn a lot.
In my times the best press available was the Mighty Mite:
And I worked mine overtime.
Now you have at least 3 different presses to choose from. What follows are my considerations and experiences, as usual, YMMV.
1.- If swaging for airguns, pick ONE airgun and slug the barrel at three different points: Breech, Mid-Section, Through Muzzle. SEND these slugs to Dave (Corbin). His advise and counsel is invaluable. The bullets that come out of those dies will fit THAT airgun. There is precious little standardization in airgun barrels.
2.- You should choose a powerful airgun, very few airguns will shoot well swaged bullets at under 20 ft-lbs. So, your "lower limit" should be about 25 ft-lbs, and 35 is even better.
3.- Measure the twist rate of your barrel and inform Dave. At the lower muzzle velocities of airguns (compared to firearms), the standard Greenhill formula doesn't always work like a charm.
4.- Do not think that you can get away with whatever reloading presses you have. Your best bet, specially for the 0.308" and 0.375" PP bullet is to get a dedicated Swaging press.
5.- If you REALLY want to explore the limits of the 0.338" then your best bet is a hydraulic press. To reach max speeds in that caliber you will need rather thick jackets.
Above all, talk to Dave and heed his advice. He knows his stuff.
Hope this helps and keep us all posted!
HM