Bronze alloys for jackets

[Medicaus]

Hey Team.
Long time no post.
Just wondering if anyone has tried bronze jackets of 5-7% tin instead of zinc? Out of interest, I can swage it as it’s an available substitute to gilding metal which I don’t have. Thanks.

Side note:
I have now absolutely perfected making my own dies, in any geometry, boat tail seaters all that jazz and can whip them up reasonably fast. Freaking gorgeous. Hitting on average +/- 2 micron on finished diameter. Boom.

[rolltide999]

I don't have a strip jacket maker, yet. I have been trying to source metal strip in anticipation of getting one. I would love to see pictures of your dies and jackets. Let us know how the bronze works out. I don't see why it would not work. the main thing you need is something just a little harder than copper so the jacket is not as prone to fouling the barrel. Have you tried sourcing red brass? It is 85/15, copper/zinc, and is sometime more available than gilding metal. Some red brass alloys have lead and tin and less zinc. I would avoid those alloys for jackets. I end up using fired brass cases most of the time because they are less expensive (or used to be). Price on everything ammunition related has just gone through the roof, when you can find it. That is one reason I have jumped into swaging in a big way, big for me at least. Sorry I could not be more helpful on the bronze question.

[Liseo]

Are you producing to sell?

[Medicaus]

Why do you want some? Haha.
No. Dies maybe one day. Just happy doing my own thing right now. I don’t think I could swage enough jackets at home for 5% of people On this forum.

[dimaprok]

I would be interested to know how much you would charge for point forming die.

[Medicaus]

I would be interested to know how much you would charge for point forming die.

Hmmm, without knowing for sure I'm guessing a point form would be approx 500 USD and the BT seater assembly (die / punch / collet) would be about 550. They are specifically matched pairs and the punch/die is setup more like a progressive press where the exact geometry gets hammered into the die. The punch does not leave a rebate and they look like any other factory bullet. I'd only use geometries I've personally tested (For example the 224 VLD has a BC of approx 0.395 G1) Shipping is a killer though. I know it seems expensive but it's the material I've got, and I can always get it, and it polishes to a total mirror finish.
I'm kinda adding everything up and I think a complete set with 2 dies, complete, with a BT punch would be near 1100-1200 bucks... geeze... this is why I wasn't super keen to sell them cause the stuff is expensive. You get what you pay for though I suppose. I'm just blessed to have access to this stuff.

[dimaprok]

Hmmm, without knowing for sure I'm guessing a point form would be approx 500 USD and the BT seater assembly (die / punch / collet) would be about 550. They are specifically matched pairs and the punch/die is setup more like a progressive press where the exact geometry gets hammered into the die. The punch does not leave a rebate and they look like any other factory bullet. I'd only use geometries I've personally tested (For example the 224 VLD has a BC of approx 0.395 G1) Shipping is a killer though. I know it seems expensive but it's the material I've got, and I can always get it, and it polishes to a total mirror finish.
I'm kinda adding everything up and I think a complete set with 2 dies, complete, with a BT punch would be near 1100-1200 bucks... geeze... this is why I wasn't super keen to sell them cause the stuff is expensive. You get what you pay for though I suppose. I'm just blessed to have access to this stuff.

What country are you in? I didn't realize you were not in USA.