cnc lathe machining bullets?

[h0use]

Slight hijack Check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnIvhlKT7SY

That's what I call a custom made helmet! That's awsome!

[brando]

Monolithic solid bullets are very popular in big bore and ELR cartridges, but they are tricky to make and use*. Manufacturing them to precision with CNC lathes isn't the hard part, it's the material and temperature control that gets tricky. LRBT pioneered the use of copper/nickel alloy solids that are extremely uniform in density distribution (ie uniformly balanced). And part of making sure a bullet that's being lathed stays that way is controlling the temperature. That's why many prefer less temperature sensitive materials for stock.

In the 90s I shot some .50BMG precision ammo in Israel that used a solid brass bullet. It didn't hit as hard as some of the other bullets we shot, but it had a higher BC and required less elevation to hit the same distance, if you know what I mean?

Nowadays for .338LM - .50BMG ELR bullets solids are really popular, particularly because they can be made long and uniform for high BC performance. They aren't suited for HTI applications in the military, but for hitting paper or steel beyond 2000m they are the best choice.

*some rifling profiles favor solids vs jacketed bullets

[Eargasm]

Probably copper. I don't think it is illegal to use brass, but it might not be smart.

Elite Ammunition ran into some trouble with the ATF recently over their manufacturing of .223 brass bullets. The ATF says that .223 is a pistol round.

BATF Classifies .223, 6.5 Grendel and 6.8SPC as Pistol Round

BATF and EA Recent Finding.

EA has had to remove our Trident bullets in .223, 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC. The BATF has ruled that all of these cartridges are now pistol cartridges. Since they are now pistol cartridges their construction now falls under the content and construction limitations of the 68 GAC and pistol cartridges.

Currently from other bullet makers like Barnes, solid .223 caliber bullets are still being manufactured and sold . We are working with our BATF IOI person to find out the following,

A) Is Barnes bullets and all other maker that constructs solid bullets in .223 going to have to stop.
B) If not then why do we have to stop since out basic shape and metallurgical content of our PFP bullets are the same as theirs?
C) Since they are now handgun caliber limited how does Magtech solid copper pistol bullets not fall under the 68 GAC as AP?
D) If Solid copper is not considered a violation of the 68 GAC in handgun bullets then it should also be not a violation of the 68 GAC to make EA’s PFP bullets from solid copper as Magtech does.

Those who have T6 ammunition and PFP bullets will be contacted by the BATF to recover any bullets or ammunition that have not been FIRED yet.

I apologize for this inconvenience and hopefully we can get this matter straightened out one way or another.

Jay Wolf
Pr. Elite Ammunition

Here's the letter:

http://www.eliteammunition.net/f/DOJ-ATF-Firearms-Technology-Branch-Letter-06-30-111.pdf

[30Cal]

My grandfather had to machine bullets for a 22-250 that my dad had for a while--the only other bullets he had access to at the time would come apart in flight. Rifle got sold--too expensive to feed.

[edgerly779]

AS long as you don't use them in Condor area without having dfg approval should be fine.

[ExtremeX]

There's just something about watching a CNC machine go to work.

+1

Its really something

[Munk]

All-brass bullets for 50 BMG and similar are not unheard of, and in some cases can be had as milsurp (I think french BMG surplus was brass? Can't quite remember). I've also seen them in commercial loadings.

The extra precision of a nice milled bullet is freaking sweet though.

[Fjold]

A lot of custom bullet makers make lathe turned bulets for large bore rifles for target and game shooting (especially in Africa).

[bohoki]

looks like this is the best option for anybody wanting a silver bullet

[Joewy]

Ive turned them. But brass isnt heavy enough for real world use on soft targets. Only paper and concrete....
If you want to make bullets just use the cnc machind to make you a nice bullet mold and use lead....
Works every time.