NCJ Number
60765
Date Published
1979
Length
283 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES FOR BULLET SWAGING, I.E. THE FORMING OF CUSTOM-DESIGNED BULLETS THROUGH USE OF HIGH PRESSURE AND COLD-FLOWING METAL, ARE DESCRIBED FOR NOVICE AND PROFESSIONAL BULLETMAKERS.
Abstract
THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF MANY DESIGNS OF CUSTOM-SWAGED BULLETS WOULD GIVE OFF-DUTY POLICEMEN AND HOMEOWNERS AN ADVANTAGE AGAINST CRIMINALS WITHOUT ENDANGERING INNOCENT PEOPLE. THE CAPABILITIES OF THE VARIOUS GUNS WHICH A HANDLOADER USES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES CAN BE RADICALLY ALTERED BY THE USE OF UNUSUAL HOMEMADE BULLETS, BRINGING SMALLPOCKET AUTOMATIC PISTOLS AND LOW-VELOCITY REVOLVERS TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF SELF-DEFENSE OR HUNTING EFFECTIVENESS. SWAGE EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE WHICH PROVIDES AMMUNITIONMAKERS WITH SUBSTANTIAL CONTROL OVER THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BULLET, AND BULLETS ARE THE CRUCIAL FACTOR IN HANDLOADING. ALTHOUGH SWAGING TECHNIQUES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAT BULLETCASTING, SWAGING ALLOWS THE HANDLOADER TO CREATE INNOVATIVE STYLES AND IN-BETWEEN WEIGHTS AND SHAPES OF BULLETS. LOW-VELOCITY AMMUNITION SUCH AS THE .44 SPECIAL PERFORMS POORLY WITH CAST BULLETS, BUT WITH JACKETED SWAGED BULLETS THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH ROUNDS CAN BE VASTLY IMPROVED. SWAGING BULLETS OF THE .44 MAGNUM SIZE, DESIGNED WITH HOLLOW POINTS FOR FAST, RELIABLE EXPANSION, ARE USEFUL FOR POLICE WORK IN URBAN AREAS. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION CONCERNS THE PRESSES, LUBRICANTS, AND METAL JACKETS USED IN THE SWAGING PROCESS, AND DESCRIBES THE PRODUCTION OF HOLLOWPOINT AND BOATTAIL BULLETS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDED BALLISTICS TABLES AND FORMULA. A GLOSSARY BUT NO INDEX IS PROVIDED. (TWK)