Let's Talk About Swaging. Who Is Swaging Their Own Slugs?

[Ezana4CE]

I communicated with the owner of GMI and was told that they’re working on a new website and some new offerings, but they’re still in business. They also make dies for presses other than the Arbor Press. However, they do not make dies for Lee and RCBS styled reloading presses. Be on the lookout for some new things from GMI.

Alright folks. I received word from Ken that the improved GMI site is now live. For those interested in the GMI swagging system take a look here.

Precision Airgun Swaging Dies | .177 to .457 Cal | GMI Engineering

Precision machined Die sets for airgun Pellets and slugs

www.gmiengg.com

 

[Franklink]

Just checked out the GMI website. Lots of good things going on there. I like that multiple weights and bases can all be purchased at the same time.

But it's still a hard pill to swallow @ $350-550, not knowing if those slugs are going to jive with a particular gun/barrel.

The logistics of such a plan would likely make it unfeasible, but sure would like the option of buying some slugs that were made off these dies prior to ponying up for the die itself.

An overall success rate of slugs (all brands) in the 3-5% range in my experience......again, makes it hard to pull the trigger on dies for making slugs that may or may not shoot well.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Franklink That’s not a bad idea. It may be worth while to discuss procuring a few slugs or pellets from someone already using one before commuting to purchasing a die set. Or maybe reach out to the manufacturer to see if he can provide samples of projectiles produced by dies that interest you.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Corbin S Press assembled out of the box mounted atop a Corbin bench stand.


A few projectiles produced by this press.


The diameters all read the same so the machining of the dies are very precise.


Grain weight is fairly consistent. I'm still working to better learn to reproduce very close weights. The largest variance I've seen is approximately 1.3 grains. I think I can rein that in some.


I'm learning.

 

[Woogie_man]

Mine will be here Tuesday. Can't wait to get working....though I REALLY need to get my shop in order!

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Woogie_man It should motivate you to organize your workspace so you can get started.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I'm behind on this thread but wanted to at least share this link concerning swaging airgun slugs on the CorbinS Press. This video that was sent to me this morning. I think it is a great video on swaging hollow points and hollow-ogive airgun slugs. The video was made by the folks at Corbin Manufacturing.

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[Ezana4CE]

Took some time to start making more slugs this morning.

 

[larry069]

I got my corbin press in 2008 to make slugs for my af condor at the time there were no airgun dies so I had custom dies orderd the were keith semi wad cutters with hollow points and flat and dish base I tried every size from 216 to 219 and none would shoot so I spent about 3 tho and could not get it to shoot them so I put it away , then in 2022 I got a DW and orderd 2 sets of dies the nsa and fx type in 217 and my DW does not shoot them at all so I am in it for about 4 grand and no results , I am waiting for a lathe to come in should be here in 3 months then I am going to start making slug barrels for the DW from walther blanks they will be a direct swap and will use the factory chrono and shroud

 

[Ezana4CE]

@larry069 That’s unfortunate. My worst experience with them is I was shipped an item mistakenly. Which press did you purchase? Did you slug your barrels before ordering? Did you send a slug sample to Corbin with or ahead of your order or did you order a standard airgun die and punch set?

 

[larry069]

I have the s press , I did slug the DW barrel and a .217 should work but it does not , I have shot every size from .216/2165 .217/2175 .218/219 and no luck , used nsa jsb and h&n slugs patriot and fx daystate howler none shoot good at any speed

 

[Old_School]

@Soren Drost I was told by the owner of GMI that they do make dies for presses made by the Corbin brothers. To me this says they makes dies for the Corbin S press and the Walnut Hill press, but I need to ask for clarification to be sure. He said that they are called “Freedom die” sets. The dies used with the Arbor press are called the the “SOC (smooth ogive curve)” dies. Additionally, Corbin Manufacturing makes adapters that allow the Corbin S press to work with GMI SOC dies as seen in post #18 in this thread.

Not sure about the Walnut Hill presses (Richard Corbin). On his page he states, "The press is not compatible with other makes of swaging dies." FWIW.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Not sure about the Walnut Hill presses (Richard Corbin). On his page he states, "The press is not compatible with other makes of swaging dies." FWIW.

Corbin makes adapters to accommodate Corbin dies for use on the Walnut Hill Press. Buy Complete Walnut Hill Reloading Kit | Corbin

 

[Ezana4CE]

A new offering from GMI -

Freedom Press Swaging system | Precision Airgun Slug Press | GMI Engineering

The GMI Freedom Press — flagship swaging press for precision airgun slug production. Premium materials, low-friction operation, compatible with Freedom Series Dies. Free worldwide shipping.

www.gmiengg.com

I'm told that the GMI Freedom Press MkII is a new design as that MkI was designed around the Walnut Hill press. This MkII looks slick. I'm excited to see how this performs and how owners like it overall. I'm really curious about the machining and build quality. I have a feeling this will be a well regarded setup.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Just more convenient with the commercial available slugs

@Soren Drost I can better understand why you may have opted to stop swagging smaller caliber projectiles after swaging some myself. Swagging is a great option for me since I like hunting with big bore slugs, but an individual must be able to weigh the personal value of swaging using their own metric(s) and considering their desired application(s).

Producing these was pretty tedious.

 

[Ezana4CE]

A new offering from GMI -

Freedom Press Swaging system | Precision Airgun Slug Press | GMI Engineering

The GMI Freedom Press — flagship swaging press for precision airgun slug production. Premium materials, low-friction operation, compatible with Freedom Series Dies. Free worldwide shipping.

www.gmiengg.com

I'm told that the GMI Freedom Press MkII is a new design as that MkI was designed around the Walnut Hill press. This MkII looks slick. I'm excited to see how this performs and how owners like it overall. I'm really curious about the machining and build quality. I have a feeling this will be a well regarded setup.

Here's a demo video of the GMI Freedom Press Mk II

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GMI Slug Master die set video.

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[Ezana4CE]

May as well add the new upcoming Western (x NSA) Big Horn Hydraulic Press to the conversation

Western Airguns Big Horn Bullet Press

The Western Airguns Big Horn Bullet Press is a new introduction from the company. And it will be available next month – in mid February 2025. This electro-hydraulic press allows the owner to manufacture slugs in high volumes without the bicep-expanding, sweat-inducing effects of operating a...

community.hardairmagazine.com

NSA x Western Big Horn Slug Swaging Press

I got an email today about this hydraulic slug press. It's said to work with Corbin dies. Swages .177 - .50 slugs. For $3900 you can get in on a pre-order for a NSA x Western Big Horn slug press. https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/bullet-press-and-accessories/western-airguns-big-horn-bullet-press/

community.hardairmagazine.com

 

[Ezana4CE]

Knocked out various weights to test from 22 to 54 grain in .25 caliber.



Size comparison between 22 and 54 grain slugs.

 

[Woogie_man]

Have the boat tail base pin as well as the hollow ogive die set. Have been playing a little bit, but hoping the HM1000x and the Ghost will both like the different body style. I do know that the HM1000x does not like the hollow point boat tail slugs. But with the hollow ogive I am hoping that the weight is pushed back a bit and they will shoot better.

The hollow Ogive slugs are more inline to what the FX slugs are. Over all after having the press for a while... I have made a TON of slugs, and the ability to keep the weights extremely close is awesome! Have also been talking with Kelly and a few guys at Corbin about some other things they have coming out. They are stand up guys and are always willing to help.

 

[Woogie_man]

Have been playing with the hollow ogive set from Corbin. The tolerances are EXTREMELY TIGHT! Was worried I was going to damage the dies, but after a talk with Kelly at Corbin I was told to go for it. I have been making some 34.8gr hollow ogive boat tail slugs to see if the weight further back will help with more rifles. I know the 34 grain dish base slugs were kind of iffy.

Im telling you guys....... break down and by a set up. It is relaxing and fun to sit down and knock out a bunch of ammo. And the fact it is easy to do makes it fun.