Shotgun Slug Swaging

Shotgun slugs up to an inch in diameter (in the 4-bore range) can be swaged using the Corbin Hydro-Press, and type -H dies. The more simple Foster type hollow based slugs can be made in a single LSWC-1-H die in the Mega Mite CSP-2 press. Exotic finned or attached wad designs such as those illustrated here are made in special die sets consisting of three or more operations (two to three dies, depending on the specific design features) using the power presses. The fins can be large enough so that the muzzle blast gas provides energy to spin the slug (the fins are set at an angle to the centerline of the slug, so they provide rotational vectors when struck by the muzzle blast gas flow).

Saboted slugs can also be made easily. The sabots themselves can be nothing more than an ordinary plastic wad used for shot, or they can be formed from various plastic or powdered/sintered materials. Even ordinary corn starch will turn into a hard, plastic-like material under the tons of pressure created during the swaging process, and it has been used as filler, and even as a kind of frangible sabot. There are more exotic bullet designs still waiting to be produced commercially than all the commercial designs every offered!

The tooling for finned slugs can produce slugs can sell in the range of $1.50 to $3.00 each, quickly repaying the investment many times over. The actual material cost is currently less than twenty cents, in most cases. A person should be able to produce at least 50 slugs per hour without undue rush. There are usually three or four steps to making each slug (with fins), in a series of special dies and punches. See the SGS-3-H catalog number on the PRICE LIST.

For details, view or download the Adobe Acrobat(tm) file finslug2.pdf, using the Acrobat Reader (available free from Adobe Software).

There is no technical difference except size between the tooling to make a basic hollow-base shotgun slug, and the tooling to make an airgun pellet or any other all-lead, hollow base bullet, so you would expect that for similar shapes, the tooling cost will be the same, within the die family (type -S or type -H, LSWC-1 or FJFB-3, etc.). Calibers from .458 down (including .410) can be made in the -S press. Calibers larger than .458 require -H type dies, and the Mega Mite or Hydro Press. The 20 ga, 16 ga and 12 gauge slugs are of course larger than .458 and thus are made in type -H dies. Simple, semi-wadcutter "Foster" style slugs are made in the LSWC-1-H die. The .410 Shotgun is just a .41 caliber as far as swaging is concerned, so you can use .41 diameter dies in the S-Press (CSP-1), our smallest current model. The 20, 16, and 12 gauge slugs generally require the Hydro-Press, especially for more exotic and complex shapes.

The most basic type of slug, called the "Foster" style, is almost exactly the same as a straight sided, round nosed airgun pellet. The hollow base moves the weight forward, so that the slug does not require spin stabilization to maintain nose forward flight. One stroke of the press will produce a finished bullet, ready to load, using the LSWC-1-H die. Other dies can be used to make slugs swaged from bird shot, which packs together well enough to fire but breaks apart on impact, greatly reducing penetration and ricochet (for use in cell blocks, for corrections officers, etc.). The nose shape of the slug can be varied simply by changing the nose punch, with the same die. Slugs with attached wads can be made by forming a post in the center of the cavity with a special punch. The post can have a screw hole formed in it, and felt wads can be cut from upholstry padding with a Corbin disk cutter die. The wads can be made with a hole in the exact center, and a screw passing through the wad will secure it to the slug. There are hundreds of interesting designs like these, which can be made using Corbin tools, to build a profitable part-time or retirement business.

• CSP-1 S-Press
• LSWC-1-S Lead SWC die w/Hollow Base and 1/2-E round nose
• CSL-2 swage lube
• LW-10 lead wire, 70,000 gr. spool
• PCS-1 core cutter (up to .365 diam wire)
  OR
• PCS-2 core cutter (wire larger than .365 diam)

• CSP-2 Mega Mite Press with Long Handle option
• LSWC-1-H Lead SWC die w/Hollow Base and 1/2-E round nose
• CSL-2 swage lube
• LW-10 lead wire, 70,000 gr spool up to 458 caliber
  OR
• CM-3 Core Mould for sizes above .458 diam
  If using lead wire...
• PCS-1 core cutter for wire up to .365 diameter
  OR
  
• PCS-2 core cutter for wire up to .430 diameter
  (No need for core cutter if you use the CM-3 mould)

• CHP-1 HydroPress
• LSWC-1-H Lead SWC die w/Hollow Base and 1/2-E round nose
  OR
  
• LSWC-1HC Custom lead SWC die, HB, .5-E nose, .75-1.0 diam.
  
  
• CSL-2 swage lube
• LW-10 lead wire, 70,000 gr spool up to 458 caliber
  OR
• CM-3 Core Mould for sizes above .458 diam
  If using lead wire...
• PCS-1 core cutter for wire up to .365 diameter
  OR
  
• PCS-2 core cutter for wire up to .430 diameter
  (No need for core cutter if you use the CM-3 mould)

Technical support and sales e-mail: sales@corbins.com

FAX: 541-826-8669 - - PHONE: 541-826-5211

CORBIN
PO Box 2659, White City, OR 97503 USA