Swage dies

Well I ordered my Swage-it style swage die set from Hawk Precision bullet company today (1-24-12). Was told I should have them in TWO WEEKS not Two years like another company. Included will be a round nose punch a semi wad cutter puch and base punches for jacketed bullets and a zinc based bullet. From what I understand this is something from them only.

Now what would be a good swage lube to use? And how much is someone willing to sell it to me for. Remember, this is my first time so be gentle.

Daywalker made some ATG Swage lube for us to buy...don't know if he has any left. It's great stuff.

Or make your own from 50/50 mix of Anhydrous Lanolin and castor oil...heated and mixed together then allowed to cool and gel back up in a storage container.

I dont know if Tommy still sells it or not. I use 50% anhydrous Lanolin 50% Castor Oil. that is what Corbins and Dr. Blackmon use too. others use other things but you will not be disappointed with that lube. Also its great for case sizing and reforming it doesn't oil dent like other lubes will.

LOL Hawcer beat me to the punch

Great minds think alike

Yep, the stuff is also the best sizing lube to use as Reload mentioned.

Congrats on the swage die purchase btw....let us know how they work out.

Let me check and see. I think I have one bottle left. If not, I can order the stuff tonight and make alot more. I have had others ask so it would not be a problem... I will PM you and let you know!!

I'm not sure if anybody mentioned it , but Tommy sells lube.

hawcer wrote:Daywalker made some ATG Swage lube for us to buy...don't know if he has any left. It's great stuff.

Or make your own from 50/50 mix of Anhydrous Lanolin and castor oil...heated and mixed together then allowed to cool and gel back up in a storage container.

I was on Amazon and order some Anhydous Lanolin and the castor oil. My question is does it have to say Anhydrous on it? I could have picked a tub that said 100% pure lanolin butter for less the half the price. Said it was for hair moisurizing.

it would probably be ok. But I preferred to spend a little more and know what I have. One thing that scares me more than it having water (which doesn't scare me) is something else in there that will rust up my dies. They are just way to expensive to take a chance trying to save ten dollars on lanolin LOL my reasoning doesnt make it right LOL

I've never tried to make my own sizing lube but I have a tub of the stuff Tommy made.

I have been using it a lot in lieu of Imperial and Lee lubes. It tends not to "lube dent" the brass as badly as some of the other lubes which is nice when I am working with rounds with steep shoulders like the .223 AI, .35 Brown-Whelen and 7mm JDJ.

I have also been using it when I swage 22LR hulls. It takes just a dab that you can barely feel on your fingers.

I have put a slight dent in the tub that I got from Tommy. At this rate (and I use it nearly every day) it will last at least another year or so.

If Tommy makes more I would recommend jumping on it and getting at least one tub.

The Swage-it swage die came in on Friday. Unfortunately it may be a couple of days before I get to try them. It took less the two weeks from the order date.

I Have a set of swagit dies for 9MM, thay work just great.

I used them on a Lyman Sparton press at first, then i pickup a rcbs rockchucker press and thay worked even better, but then i put to much pressure on them ( MY Fault) and cracked to bullet punch.

The rcbs rockchucker press worked real easy compaired to the lyman sparton, so take it easy.

ar3006 wrote: but then i put to much pressure on them ( MY Fault) and cracked to bullet punch.

The rcbs rockchucker press worked real easy compaired to the lyman sparton, so take it easy.

Did you contact the seller? What was his response?

I have been messing around with mine the past couple days while I am waiting for my mini cutoff to come in. The bullets would look real nice if I wasn't cutting the cases with a hack saw.

With that mini cut off saw, a little tip if I may... If you have some parafin wax or Gulf Wax, with the saw blade running, cut quickly into a piece of it. I keep a chunk just for my saw. I find it cuts much easier. Guess it kinda lubes the saw blade....

Daywalker wrote:With that mini cut off saw, a little tip if I may... If you have some parafin wax or Gulf Wax, with the saw blade running, cut quickly into a piece of it. I keep a chunk just for my saw. I find it cuts much easier. Guess it kinda lubes the saw blade....

+1 Daywalker

+1 its what I have been using in the machining industry for years paraffin wax its a great sawing lube.

Daywalker wrote:With that mini cut off saw, a little tip if I may... If you have some parafin wax or Gulf Wax, with the saw blade running, cut quickly into a piece of it. I keep a chunk just for my saw. I find it cuts much easier. Guess it kinda lubes the saw blade....

Will regular candle wax work or does it have to be parafin?

regular candle wax is paraffin. its just got sweet smelling stinkem and dyes in it. will work just as good.

Thanks again. This saves a lot of trial and error.

Ok here are two of the bullets I swaged before I broke my press. The piece of wood in the background is the little jig I made for trimming the cases. Oh what the heck...now that I know how to do this I'll post pictures of the jig also. Mind you it ain't nothin' pretty but it works.

Them bullets turned out great...Sorry about the press

Neat holder idea for the cases too...simple and gets the job done.

Saw the jig idea on the other forum I belong to. His was much nicer and better finished.

every one else mentioned tommy's swage lube... his is the best lube I have ever used....

I am just about ready to get some more tommy.... it lasted me just over one year... darn good stuff