Swaging 223 Bullets from 22LR Brass with a Blackmon Swaging System - Chapter 4 - Point Forming

Chapter 4 in a mini-series on swaging jacketed .223 rifle bullets from .22LR brass using a Blackmon swaging system. In this four-minute video we examine the final step in the swaging process, point forming.
Pricing and information on this swaging equipment can be found on the manufacturer's website at www.bulletswagingsupply.com/
Music - The Place Inside by Silent Partner

[@AaronBrand]

After watching this and some videos on reloading 22lr, I now have two reasons to save my 22 brass. Thanks!

[@TATVCanada]

Right on

[@bisonuberti]

One of the... if not the best reloading/bullet making mini series video I have seen to date. Shoot lots and stay safe.

[@TATVCanada]

Thank you very much, sir.

[@stephenoutdoors7496]

Great job mate. You have done a good job explaining this process. Very interesting, and got me thinking. 🤔😀

[@johnthompson5180]

Really enjoyed the mini series. Very informative. Thanks!

[@TATVCanada]

Glad you found it interesting; swaging is one of those little side-projects I've always found fascinating.

[@garretts.2003]

Would really love to see a ballistics gel test of these. My coworker told me a few years ago about how he bought over 1000 of these swaged 22 bullets from an estate sale or something. Never having reloading anything, I found the idea intriguing and now that I've seen the full process it's even more intriguing. Impressive!

[@TATVCanada]

Unfortunately our brilliant prime minister banned AR's, so I can't perform any tests now.

[@garretts.2003]

@@TATVCanada Yeah I really feel for you guys up there. There are alot of great things about Canada like the healthcare system, but the erosion of gun rights is a tragedy. Were inching that direction slowly, one right at a time. If you ever come across a bolt gun in .223 you should give these a whirl at that gel block. I find the whole process fascinating and I loved the series! Thanks and best wishes!

[@edwardseaton9447]

@@TATVCanada where can I aquire the tooling required?

[@TATVCanada]

@@edwardseaton9447 please see the video description for details.

[@joshpiotrowski3487]

Why not just house something else in 223 to show the gel test?

[@igun4fun352]

Awesome, informative video. Been thinking about this for some time. Now Im convinced. Thanks

[@TATVCanada]

Glad to hear you found the video useful; swaging is a neat hobby to be sure.

[@pcbulletempire9872]

Very nice looking bullets I enjoyed this series cannot wait to see how you load them and how they shoot thank you sir for sharing

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks, TR.

[@ZERO_42069]

This was a cool series of videos

[@thelastjohnwayne]

This series is awesome.

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks very much.

[@jcm4590]

Really interesting, TATV. I had no idea that this process was available to the hobbyist. Thanks!

[@TATVCanada]

I just wish it wasn't so expensive. The Blackmon system is by far the most affordable, but it's still a very sizable investment.

[@therangersbulldogs6350]

great product, excellent video(as always)

[@TATVCanada]

Thank you, sir.

[@archersfriend]

Very informative, thank you.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

It saddens me that for DECADES I swept up the .22 LR brass and tossed it into the "Brass Waste" can at the range... that's a LOT of WASTED .223 jackets over the years... but YOU have convinced me to KEEP IT ALL and (one day hopefully) use it for this kind of setup. THANKS!

[@TATVCanada]

Every time I look at my container of jackets, I think exactly the same thing...

[@daniel-vm3qn]

great series

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks very much.

[@DonziGT230]

Fun series, thanks.

[@Thorsaxe777]

Like my Star Machine, Pricey, However,, AWESOME and I believe you never look back after getting one. Good series on Bullet making, You need to shoot some and let them show off accuracy. Dave.

[@TATVCanada]

I don't disagree, but they weren't kidding when they said this wasn't a poor-man's sport, heh heh. Or rather, maybe it *is* a poor-man's sport!

[@Thorsaxe777]

There is the thing I look at. You get the inside look at bullet Making with that, So when you go out and Pay the big bucks for bullets you can see where they have their shortcomings and faults. So in a way it save's you money. If that makes any sense to you.

[@MrJoe11young]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@TATVCanada]

Glad you found it informative.

[@DimaProk]

Accuracy testing will determine if this is all worth it. Can't wait for the final chapter.

[@TATVCanada]

It's on the list but I don't know if I will get it done this year or not. Fall is coming to a close rapidly here and I have a LOT of work to get done.

[@jarliealves]

@@TATVCanada Send me a bullet pack and I will test for you!

[@Lucas12v]

@@TATVCanada how'd they shoot?

[@williamkuykendall7569]

I know this is an old series, but it really helped with my swaging class. Thank you Sir o7

[@TATVCanada]

Happy to help.

[@dukeman7595]

very nice montage.

[@benwillard6751]

Great series! Wish I had the tools and resources it takes to do all this!!

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks, Ben.

[@thebombasticbadazz4729]

@@TATVCanada will you ever put out an equipment list that you used from start to end?

[@hugogabrielockier958]

Hola, felicitaciones por el vídeo. Una pregunta ¿se consiguen los dies para realizar ese trabajo?

[@jdizzy01]

Late to the party, but great series. The idea always fascinated me. May have to try it

[@TATVCanada]

Do!

[@herknorth8691]

With recent events, this series has me wondering about how viable this process would be for making 5.45mm bullets? Hornady is supposed to start making Boxer-primed brass cases and reloading dies for 5.45x39mm, which would allow us to not only keep shooting 5.45 after Russian ammo dries up but also to get decent accuracy out of that round.

[@TATVCanada]

I've never seen dies for that caliber but I'm sure you could have them made.

[@peterkoomen1]

Thanks for the great video's!!!

[@TATVCanada]

Glad you enjoyed them.

[@pol1on1]

Very good video

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks

[@oneangrygoy]

Thank you.

[@jbravovideos]

In the website the press creator has a section fir a dimension of the core mold. Could you advise which is it. My guess is that it would be 3/16 but would appreciate if you could validate that. Thanks

[@danseman51]

Very cool

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks!

[@lovetofly32]

Gosh i had nooo idea you could do this! Man id be making a ton of bullets if i knew where to get those tools!

[@TATVCanada]

Details are available in the description if you're interested.

[@fishingfool4ever69]

Great series! I'm going to order the custom lead mould from Lee. I see that you used a 6 cavity mould. What diameter did you use? I like the screws on the mould to get exactly the right core weight.

[@luckyshotammunitiongunsllc2369]

Amazing

[@codyjoyner3049]

Man this great I'm trying to get in to it myself

[@TATVCanada]

Expensive, but satisfying.

[@rgthomson100]

Im well impressed with this system, great vid bud, unfortunatly the guy who makes these systems dont do them anymore, pity

[@TATVCanada]

Really? Oh wow, that's disappointing. I had no idea.

[@LoadsofBacon]

Definitely make the follow on videos!

[@TATVCanada]

I've got a few other projects I need to wrap up first but people seem to be pretty interested in this stuff so I most likely will.

[@Okie_Pokie15]

D.I.N.S.T.A.A.R.

[@chrissinclair4442]

Do you ever try melting, or melting and quenching, before point forming?

[@alexwcobb]

How accurate are these at range. Wonder if it's possible to get some for t&e

[@Crlarl]

I bet that brass-on-brass ammunition looks sweeeeet!

[@TATVCanada]

It is pretty nifty. A swaged-.223 video is on my list of 'To-Dos', I just need to get to it.

[@carpax79]

Davvero un bel lavoro complimenti dove posso trovare questo kit

[@chasewilkinson1977]

I don't even load but this was way fun to watch

[@dalehenderson4162]

Come back to watch this video again too see if I could fabricate my own swaying system if I can get ahold of some dies. Do you need some 22 casing? I live in the USA but can ship them to you!!

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks very much, but I've got piles of 22. I think half my guns are 22's heh.

[@josephiacovelli5395]

Thanks for the reply.

[@sgjguenther]

I can't for the life of me get a not so aggressive hollow point, would like to get the lead closer to the tip. If you got any tips i would appreciate the help

[@archangel20031]

I assume you can adjust things to use 22 magnum cases and press out some 77 grain bullets? And what about boat tail 77 grain bullets?

[@TATVCanada]

22M is very, very hard to come by here so I've never tried it... I think it would work though.

[@otterconnor942]

The hollow point bullets seem like the point swaging is too aggressive as it's folding slightly instead of forming, which affects accuracy. Maybe a 2 stage point swager could help to make a more consistent jacket by doing a swage that preps the brass to be formed into the final shape. Usually they do this by forming the rear half of the curve first then the point. Because with this one stage point swager it start with the point side and works it's way back. Idk just my two cents

[@Tutoriarmas]

What a great serie of videos! I'm watching from Brazil and i would really apreciate if you could indicate the web site where you boughtnthis die set and the press! Thanks anyway! 🙏🏻🇧🇷👏🏻

[@TATVCanada]

It's in the description.

[@paranoicoCE]

vai te aquetar Tales!!!

[@dentonsbackyardshow1013]

I just watch these video wow

[@shadowcastre]

Excellent series..! If you wanted to shoot all lead bullet, could you just swage the lead core (no 22 casing) to the final shape? Thanks for the video....

[@TATVCanada]

Less, but as it would be pure lead I imagine it would likely deform under pressure and/or lead the barrel heavily.

[@shadowcastre]

@@TATVCanada Thanks... I'd be using at least wheel weight alloy and powder coat.

[@mikeborrelli193]

@@shadowcastre Then why go through all the trouble of swaging? Just cast WW and powder coat.. The point of swaging is to produce jacketed bullets or soft lead hollow base wadcuttet for use in target revolvers.

[@GarfieldEnjoyer1878]

What press is that? It looks like a sideways mounted Redding ultra mag. But it isn’t.

[@BikerDash]

Do they have kits for forming .243 bullets from .22 magnum brass? I was thinking of getting a .243 Winchester upper for my AR-10 and being able to form my own freedom seeds in this matter would be perfect.

[@TATVCanada]

I don't have any experience with that personally, but I've seen many different die sets that could be used to make jacketed pistol or rifle rounds using a number brass calibers. Some companies also sell brass or copper tubing that can be used to make jacketed rounds as well.

[@alabamaoutdoors4468]

Cool

[@MacroAggressor]

Awesome series, thanks. What's the total cost of equipment and rough cost per bullet (lead, lube, cleaning compound, etc)?

[@TATVCanada]

I couldn't begin to estimate the cost as I bought mine many years ago, and there was a currency conversion plus international shipping. Your best bet would be to see what Dr Blackmon is charging now and assess that way. Don't want to give you the wrong info!

[@makevelicustoms]

TATV Canada how much is a full kit ?? The website isn’t working well sir thanks.

[@itsthorondil7608]

That's pretty cool. Do manufacturers use a similar process just on a larger scale?

[@TATVCanada]

Thats my understanding, yes. With the exception of birdshot and buckshot which are generally dropped.

[@rhubarbpie2027]

Might behoove the tool mfr. To make the tool for forcing a bullet out concave and conical, to prevent it from becoming lodged in the hollow point.

[@cakeeee4]

Would you be able to list out all the equipment required from his site? I'm having a hard time figuring out what you would need

[@TATVCanada]

If you contact him he should be able to assist you.

[@outwhitu08]

Great job TATV very professional, what would a die set and press like yours cost? Just ballpark figures? Thanks for posting a very interesting video!

[@TATVCanada]

Thanks for the feedback, always appreciated. The complete set you see here is about $700USD. Dr Blackmon also sells a core mould ($140USD) but it's tool 'tall' to work with most convention bottom-pour melting pots so you may want to look at alternatives, otherwise you'll be ladle casting. If you're interested in seeing what all he's got for sale, you can find his website at bulletswagingsupply.com/

[@outwhitu08]

TATV Canada thanks! I will check it out, Don

[@dalepittman5254]

What type of lube are you using? Have you tried different ones? Sean Flipflop stated to flip them and create boat tails. Have you tried this? Thanks much.

[@TATVCanada]

The swage die was provided by the press manufacturer but is essentially a lanolin based lubricant. It's consistency is similar (though not identical) to that of petroleum jelly. I'm not a chemist by trade, but I believe what makes it special is that it is a lubricant that does not compress as much under pressure. I've never tried making boat-tailed bullets, although there are many dies to do that. I have swaged backwards to make round-nose though.

[@dalepittman5254]

@@TATVCanada Great. Thanks for the answer.

[@scottrussell8139]

never knew you could do that,, there is 22 brass all over the place,, nothing like free bullets

[@TATVCanada]

My sentiments exactly.

[@VampireTech-aka-Feds]

Very cool, but how much does it costs for those dies in total?

[@TATVCanada]

Details in description.

[@mikeborrelli193]

What is the heaviest 224 jacketed bullet you can produce using 22lr cases for jackets? Are the 22lr jackets long enough to produce 69's or 77's...

[@TATVCanada]

It would all depend on the size of your cores. I have no interest in bullets past 55gr, but I imagine they could be double that fairly easily.

[@nothanksyoutube]

My only question is with the jacket being brass vs copper, what does this do to barrel life? How detrimental is it? Cause I've got a ton of 22lr that could be formed up.

[@TATVCanada]

I had that same question, then one day I realized some of my 22 ammo and 9mm ammo were actually brass-jacketed, so I'd guess it makes very little if any difference.

[@michaeltubbs4606]

Where's chapter 3? Can't find it.

[@paulriley5940]

What is the heaviest bullet you can make before the lead pushes out the tip?

[@TATVCanada]

It all depends on the length of the jacket; with a 22 magnum you can have very long bullets.

[@pauldeahl3980]

Please provide a breakdown of time, cost per round and at what point did you break even?

[@DonziGT230]

Probably not within one's lifetime unless you're very devoted.

[@Billio68]

Is it possible to make a green tip steel core penetrator with 62 Grn Blackmon products ???

[@TATVCanada]

Maybe, never tried. Pretty sure it's not legal where I live.

[@akgriffin]

i hope you see this ...but how do they shoot? i mean speeds and accuracy? you said it expanded well, just not really thinking it would be much more than plinking ammo.

[@TATVCanada]

Shoots the same as factory bullets. No complaints.

[@claudiormelomelo2344]

onde encontro oa dies por favor passa o endereço por gentileza claudio brasil

[@hindsight2022]

Is there any way to add a cantilever for semi auto rifles i always prefer the cantilever for the crimp .

[@DonziGT230]

Cannelure, and there are several ways.

[@hindsight2022]

@@DonziGT230 yeah i hate dictation always makes me look dumb ..lol

[@45acp]

So how much does everything needed to do this cost ? If you have any of those bullets still, I'd like to test them.

[@TATVCanada]

Info on where to purchase is available in the video details.

[@jonathanrogers9961]

Wourl you be able to make a 62g bullet with this set? Or is the 22lr case too small to hold the extra lead?

[@TATVCanada]

I don't see why not.

[@jonathanrogers9961]

@@TATVCanada i load my own and cast my own. Looks like a cool system. I may have to add making jacketed bullets to my list at some point

[@SuperSneakySteve]

Do these feed well in an automatic rifle?

[@TATVCanada]

I imagine they would work the same as any other bullet; but I don't have access to anything full auto.

[@ehrenhunter6894]

awesome series. now I have another reason to buy shit my wife will complain about...lol

[@seanflipflop2887]

Flip them, create boat tails.....

[@zanpekosak2383]

I would just grind a bit of brass off the top to make it flush with the lead.

[@varnellhopkinsiii6863]

can you put a cannelure on these homemade bullets?

[@TATVCanada]

Not with this kit, but other companies make tools for that.

[@joewayne9951]

This looks like fun but I’m guessing for the price of tools and dies that you could easily have a lifetime supply (hundred thousand) factory made fmj 55 grain bullets hehe like all reloading its a hobby that just gets you to shoot more so win win , nice video series man

[@TATVCanada]

It's definitely way more expensive than casting. I wouldn't advise swaging as a money-saving solution the same way casting is; but its way, way more accurate, consistent, and customizable in terms of bullet shape/weight. Likewise if you're using high-speed rounds (like 223) being able to produce jacketed bullets just isn't an option with casting.

[@vishallachoriye6490]

From where we can get equipment and die of jacket and cost of it

[@TATVCanada]

Details should all be in the description of the video series.

[@darkspire91]

How bad of an idea would it be to swage with wheel weight lead if I wanted to, let's say, swage 9mm brass into 30 cal, or .40 s&w into .45 acp bullets?

[@TATVCanada]

I'll be honest and tell you I *have* used WW alloy before when making cores, but only once to see the difference in pressure. Those were very small cores for making 223's and I could definitely feel the difference, so I would absolutely not recommend it for something like a full sized 9mm. If you absolutely have to do it, I'd at least say make sure you're using cores you cast that same day so they haven't had a chance to age-harden.

[@darkspire91]

@@TATVCanada Silly idea: maybe popping the cores in a toaster oven, similar to annealing the brass, and immediately using them right out of said oven could make the cores soft enough, long enough to seat and point form. Maybe heating it all again before point forming could keep everything soft enough. I know this all sounds dumb, but my (free) lead source is almost exclusively lead-alloy and I really don't want to defeat the purpose by buying pure lead. Though I heard car batteries have pure lead in them...

[@jesusyeshuaelelyonelshadai6295]

I would make some bullets with tungsten cores

[@tinkeringclaws5559]

They still in business? Their site seems a lil incomplete

[@TATVCanada]

Yes, he's just really, reallllllllly busy.

[@GeneralPadron]

Can these be used in an air rifle?

[@TATVCanada]

I've never tried as I don't own a .22 caliber air rifle, but I suppose as long as the weight was the same and the caliber matched they could.

[@juanrojos78]

Have you shot these in a suppressor

[@TATVCanada]

We can't have suppressors here I'm afraid.

[@bayouratt283]

What diameter were the holes in the mold drilled to?

[@TATVCanada]

I've never measured but it would be a few thou under .224. I'll try and remember to check it with a vernier this weekend.

[@bayouratt283]

TATV Canada, thanks! Awesome video series!

[@sheldoniusRex]

Would be very interested in seeing these in gel.

[@TATVCanada]

I would love to do that video, but now that the liberal party has banned ARs I can't do it.

[@sheldoniusRex]

@@TATVCanada are these dies still available?

[@jonleone777]

What kind of accuracy do you get with those flu rou dose bullets you made.

[@TATVCanada]

Roughly the same as my store-bought. Maybe a small difference past 100 yards.

[@jonleone777]

Thank you for the reply. I have the same set and never thought about placing it backwards to made the round nose.

[@wat8437]

Armor piercing bullets and other exotic projectiles?

[@TATVCanada]

I don't really have much use for AP rounds in my day-to-day life :)

[@wat8437]

@@TATVCanada i mean if it could be done. You never know when the hordes of moose tanks come.

[@TATVCanada]

If I'm ever being charged by a Bull Moose, I hope I've got something bigger than a .223 on me, ha ha.

[@dalehenderson4162]

Wish I could afford the black on system

[@TATVCanada]

I hear you, mate.

[@fawkurface46]

while I really enjoyed watching this series, I woulda liked to see the round nose have more of a point. shouldn't hurt accuracy within 100 yards but that flat blunt tip or the hollow points gotta drop off quick farther out

[@TATVCanada]

You'd need to purchase a different die set.

[@herculesbarnard9876]

Hi can you my be give me price on die set for 243 wane make 68 gr bullets

[@TATVCanada]

I don't actually make/sell these; but you can contact the manufacturer at www.bulletswagingsupply.com/

[@jumpykilllerqx6029]

Is there a die set that can put a cannalure on it.

[@TATVCanada]

I don't personally have one but I have seen a tool that does it, yes. It's made by one of the two large swaging supply companies; Corbin or RCE I think.

[@jumpykilllerqx6029]

TATV Canada When you reload your cartridges do you use 556 or 223 Remington brass

[@TATVCanada]

I generally use Lake City 5.56 military surplus brass. I have accumulated about 20,000+ rounds of it over the years when people were practically giving it away. Works well, price was right!

[@jumpykilllerqx6029]

TATV Canada can you drive them bullets at 3200fps.

[@TATVCanada]

I've never tried anything near that fast with these, no. Generally I aim for around 2,000 but it really all depends on what I'm doing with them.

[@antoninonigrelli661]

could you make your own jackets out of copper ?

[@TATVCanada]

Yes, some folks certainly do.

[@RussellHoughton]

I would love to try swagging but I just can't justify the cost.

[@billjacon4527]

Expensive yes, but when you can't get or find ammo this is a great backup for those times if you really need ammo. I look at it as self reliance. Take now for example, everyone looking for 9mm and paying outrages prices. Times like this I'm glad i reload. Expensive intial investment but paying off now.

[@TATVCanada]

It's a bitter pill to swallow for sure.

[@DonziGT230]

@@billjacon4527 Reloading is one thing, making your own jacketed bullets is a whole other thing. And it's rather pointless unless you have primers since they're at least as expensive as bullets right now.

[@josephiacovelli5395]

Can the round noses be made more conical?

[@TATVCanada]

If you're producing semi-jacketed, yes, quite easily. If you're making FMJ, you *can* but you really need to make sure you're using very soft lead and a lot of lubricant as they can get jammed.

[@keithoades5516]

Bastard! Now you have me trying to work out how to get the minister for finance on side!

[@TATVCanada]

Bribery!

[@wesleymonske8103]

You made you more work... ha ha Take candle and light it. Soot from flame or acetylene torch. Black out molds and nothin ever sticks. Best part you only need to do it once!

[@sgtstedanko7186]

If you shoot a ton it might be worth investing in all this stuff. But honestly it would probably still be cheaper to just buy projectiles

[@stenmoeller]

Remains the question: How well do these bullets work?

[@TATVCanada]

Well.

[@masonbarks2021]

How much would it cost to get everything to start doing this.

[@TATVCanada]

Please refer to the description. I don't make or sell the kits.

[@remcovanvliet3018]

This is like printing your own money nowadays...

[@DonziGT230]

Yea, like buying several hundred dollars worth of printing equipment to then spend several hours hand crafting one dollar bills one at a time.

[@c.j.rogers2422]

@@DonziGT230 Great analogy!

[@absurd207]

But where's the steel core?

[@TATVCanada]

There isn't one, they're lead.