Bullet swaging press ejector device

[44and45]

Here is an idea that I made for my old Herter's reloading bullet swaging press the Super-O-Maximum. Its probably 45 or 50 years old equipment but is very good for swaging.

I also made one of these devices for my Lee Classic press and it works well.

The assembly moves up and down like an mini-elevator with each pull of the handle the bullet is swaged, pushing the handle back forward will make the assembly lower back down thus ejecting the bullet from the swaging die.

Works great.

Jim

 

[pcf]

44&45,
What's the hardest bullet that you have been able to swage? Like the idea, (I could do it in my apartment), but swaged bullets are usually too soft.

 

[44and45]

I find that I can swage fairly hard cast bullets such as Meister Cast or even jacketed bullets can have their nose shape changed.

I'm not into making copper jacketed bullets over lead cores. My hobby is changing lead bullet shapes and even bumping up bullets from say .38 caliber to .44 or even .45 caliber.

This ejector apparatus was made by myself because it was too much of a chore pounding on the swage die ejector knob stem. This system makes it a cake walk and is effortless.

However, prospective bullet swagers need to realize that not every reloading press is up to the job of bullet swaging. I know this from having tried it on small units.

You need something with compound leverage that is even greater than a RCBS Rockcrusher. You will also need linkage base pin of at least a 1/2 inch in diameter thickness, this seems to be the acheleis heel of swaging presses...they bend and brake in time of usage...so, 1/2 inch is better.

C-H tool & die makes just the item in their on line catalog.

But if you are lucky enough to find a Herter's Super-O-Maximum you've got beef aplenty with its 1-1/4 inch diameter ram and adjustable toggle linkage.

Unless you're a machinest with all the tools, you'll need to have a machine shop fabricate one for you.

Jim

 

[44and45]

Here is one made for the Lee Classic press.

It is set up for .44 caliber bullets but could be changed over to other calibers if necessary. Bullet punches and swaging dies can be changed out at will.

Note: The bottom flat bar has a different type of attachment than the ole Herter's press which was a lot bigger piston ram.

But the Lee works just fine.

Jim

 

[Sunray]

"...swaged bullets are usually too soft..." For 44's and 45 yeah, but nothing beats a swaged HBWC for .38 Special target loads. Mind you, there's nothing that says a swaged .45 would be bad for target shooting.

 

[44and45]

Hello Sunray up north.

I've swaged hardcast bullets with my presses and even jacketed ones, no problems there. The temper of lead cast bullets can be hardend by adding a little tin or lynotype, 16 to 1 is pretty good mixture.

However, I must confess I shoot nothing but paper at usually around 800 fps, no grizzly or brown bears.

If one shoots them over 1,000 fps some leading can crop up.

At my age paper punching is about all I'm up to these days.

Reloading is my hobby, I try to make it more enjoyable by inventing things that help that hobby. The winters are long and cruel up here, it keeps me busy during that period.


Jim