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Index page LSWC Dies

Core Swage Die InstructionsCore Swaging _______ Point Forming Die InstructionsPoint Forming _______ Lead Tip Die InstructionsLead Tip Forming
LSWC-1-S Lead Semi-Wadcutter Die The LSWC-1 lead semi-wadcutter die is used to make a semi-wadcutter style (shoulder between nose and shank) bullet. LSWC-1 dies can make lead, gas-check, or Base Guardtm bullets. The nose is formed in a cavity in one punch, and the base is formed against the end of the other punch. Three bleed holes around the circumference of the die allow surplus lead to be extruded from the core, to adjust the core weight.

tm base punch (usually the internal punch is the base punch). Custom punch shapes are also made to your order. The external punch, which pushes the lead core into the die, is normally the nose punch.

LSWC-1-S Lead Semi-Wadcutter Die The nose punch can also be made with a conical projection, which forms a tapered hollow cavity. A double-ended hollow base wadcutter is made with two similar punches, one internal (which slides back and forth in the die to eject the bullet and to seal the bottom of the die during swagine). Various shapes of noses can be formed with only two punches, one standard hollow point and one any other shape, by fully forming the bullet with one punch, and then only partly pushing the second punch into it, in a second operation with the same die.

LSWC-1-H Lead Semi-Wadcutter Die Because the lead is forced through tiny bleed holes in the side of the die, it is important not to use hard lead. The pressure goes up with the square of the lead hardness, so that going from a soft Bhn5 lead to a moderately hard Bhn10 lead can increase the die pressure by 4 times. Since the dies typically handle about 50,000 psi, and soft lead normally forms well and extrudes at 15,000 psi, it is obvious that even Bhn10 lead may require 60,000 psi or 10,000 psi more than the die could handle. Typical wheelweight lead ranges from Bhn10 to Bhn12. Pure lead is Bhn5. With the LSWC-1-H type of die, somewhat harder lead can be used. First send samples of the lead you plan to use and make sure the die-makers know you want to use it in the die. Then the bleed holes can be adjusted to allow extrusion with a reasonable pressure limit.

Setup of the LSWC-1-S die Swaging in the LSWC die is done by adjusting the punch holder so that the lead is pressurized as the press reaches the very top of its ram travel. This allows the use of the full press leverage, which makes the operation far easier than it otherwise would be. If more than one-hand pressure is needed, it means the lead is too hard for the die, the press is in the wrong stroke mode (reloading instead of swaging stroke), or the punch holder is simply not adjusted to the correct position. Even a half turn of the punch holder can mean the difference between standing on the handle with no movement, and one-hand easy operation! Sometimes this is a hard concept for a new bullet swager to grasp, but it is easy to prove to yourself by finding the right position, trying a few bullets, and then adjusting the punch holder closer to the ram and trying again.

Punch and Die Markings

Internal punch The external punch is marked with "L" to indicate that it fits a LSWC die. The caliber of the die is also marked on the punch. If it is a nose punch, a code indicating the nose shape, such as 3/4-E or Keith, is also marked. Base punches may be marked with "CB" for cup base, "HB" for hollow base, "FB" for flat base, "BG" for Base Guard, or "DB" for dish base.

External punch The internal punch is also marked with "L" and with the caliber of the die. If the punch has a special shape or purpose, such as cup base or Base Guard, this is marked on the punch head.

LSWC internal punches have a head that controls the protrusion of the punch into the die, which sets the volume that can be put into the die, and thus the maximum weight. A punch with a thinner head can make a heavier bullet, while a punch with a longer (thicker) punch head holds the core closer to the die mouth and makes a range of lighter bullets. If a given set won't make a heavy enough or light enough bullet, then a new internal punch may solve the problem.

LSWC-1-S die The LSWC die has a "L" and the caliber marked on its mouth. The -S type dies use a 5/8-24 threaded section to connect to the press ram, which allows a thrust-adsorbing "ledge" to handle the pressure rather than the threads themselves. The -H dies are 1.5-inch diameter and use a 1-inch X 12 threaded section to screw into the press ram. Their internal punch uses a long, single-diameter head that fits inside the larger Corbin press rams.





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