[Dirty Bob]

Greetings,

I would like to try shooting semiwadcutters in my Makarov, but without paying the high price of the custom Lee die on Makarov.com. I'm wondering if it's feasible to "bump up" a .38SWC bullet to the slightly larger diameter. I was thinking of making my own die to do this, so I could use on of the inexpensive Lee moulds for the experiment.

My idea for a bumping die for the SWC Makarov bullets is a 3-piece die. The main piece would have a .365 hole drilled through it. The second piece would be a flat steel plate, probably with two pins that engage holes in the main piece, just to prevent movement when assembled. The third piece would be a steel rod, long enough to go completely through the hole in the main piece. I'd use a metal-impregnated epoxy on the end of the rod, to make a nose punch for the bullets. I'd assemble the die, drop a bullet in base-down, and put the steel rod in. I would put the die in a bench vise and squeeze it until a mark on the rod reached the surface of the main part.

Does this sound like it would work? Am I completely insane?

Many thanks in advance,
Dirty Bob

[cheygriz]

I think you can buy the die ready made from Corbin. They make a wide variety of swaging equipment. :)

[fecmech]

Bob--Take a look here http://cast_boolits.aimoo.com/ for casting a larger bullet. The "Beagling" process works well and you could easily take the little 105 gr Lee swc and cast it big enough to work in the Mac. Cast it oversize and tumble lube it or get a lubrisizer die for the Mak. I "Beagle" bullets for my .44 mag due to oversize throats, cast to .436 and size to .433. The bullets shoot less than 3" 50 yd groups benched. Just thought of something else, this fellow is reasonable and makes good moulds http://www.mountainmolds.com/ .Nick

[HSMITH]

I made a 'bumping die for my 25-5 45 Colt. Throats on it measure .4575" and with .452-.454" standard bullets it is a real nightmare, accuracy is terrible with bullets keyholing at 25 yards and horrific leading after just a couple cylinders.

My 'jig' is simply a piece of 1" square tool steel bar, I have two holes bored in it, one is .4575" and the other is .4585". Both are polished smooth. I made a 'punch' from .75" round bar, turned one end down to .457" over 1" of length. The 'jig' is placed on a solid object, like a bench vise flat, the bullet is dropped into one of the bores (depending on what size you want), the punch is inserted and it gets a whack with a mallet. Technique is somewhat sensitive, you have to have calibrated whacks otherwise the nose shape is distorted. I got the hang of it quickly. When the right amount of whack has been applied you lift the jig and tap the punch to push the bullet out. It can then be loaded and shot.

It works well, but is a massive PITA. I have since honed a couple molds out to the correct size and it is a lot easier to just cast bullets of the appropriate size.

[Dirty Bob]

Thank you all!

cheygriz: I think you're right about the die, but Corbin's stuff -- while good -- is probably out of my price range, right now. I was looking for an alternative to the custom Lee die that Makarov.com offers. I'm not sure SWC bullets will work in my Mak, so I don't want to invest a lot of $$ finding out. If it's a successful experiment, however, I'll be looking for ways to make more bullets, and I'll definitely look at Corbin. Thanks.

fecmech: Beagling is something I have to try! It doesn't sound like it could work, but it looks, from the comments, like it does work! I have to try it. And what a cool site. I'm really glad you showed it to me.

HSMITH: sounds like you had a similar idea. Thanks for the hammer idea: I'd been thinking of a bench vise. At least it sounds like the concept can work, so I guess I'm not insane. You're probably right about the PITA factor, it would probably be much less of a pain to get a proper mould. Thanks for the insight.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[fecmech]

Bob--If you decide to try "Beagling" and can't scrounge the tape somewhere I'd be happy to send you some, you don't need much. A standard envelope will hold enough for 10 moulds. Nick

[Dirty Bob]

fecmech:

That is extremely generous of you! It may be a little while before I have a chance to try casting for the Makarov, but I'll definitely keep your kind offer in mind when I'm shopping for the necessary supplies. Thanks!

Dirty Bob