Manual

Instructions for the FJFB-3-S or -M die set, Page 2
The core seating die (CS-1-H) is NOT used when making rebated boattail bullets:
instead, a pair of RBT dies is used in sequence to seat the core. The external punch
can also have a projecting cone on the end to make hollow points. The internal
punch can be flat, domed or have a conical projection to form the mirror image of
that shape in the bullet base.
Place the clean core into the jacket, and put both into the core seating die with the
jacket mouth (open end) facing the die mouth. Move the ram gently forward and
align the external punch with the jacket mouth, then adjust the external punch so
that the core will just be expanded to the maximum allowed by the die as the press
reaches the end of the stroke. The force should be quite gentle, never enough to
crack the die or bend the punches. If the jacket and core stay together in the die
when the ram is moved back, rather than coming out with the external punch, it
means that they have been expanded enough to grip the die walls. If the jacket sticks
on the external punch, it may be removed by holding the pressure for a count of five
and then ejecting, or by removing the punch and tapping on the jacket mouth with a
brass hammer while rotating the punch several times (this expands the jacket and it
falls off by itself). Sticking can be caused by improper fit of punch to jacket, or not
enough lube on the punch tip.
The seated core and jacket should be just slightly under finished diameter. For
example. a .308 bullet should have a seated core and jacket of about .3078 to
.3079 inch diameter. About .0002 inches is a reasonable amount to expand in the
final point forming operation, which is next.
After seating all the cores in the jacket, remove the core seating die and punch, and
install the POINT FORMER (PF-1). This die has the ogive or nose curve shape
machined into the die cavity itself. It does not form the nose using a punch. The
internal punch is in reality only an ejection pin, and is retracted out of the die cavity
during swaging so it plays no part in the shaping of the bullet. The ejection pin has a
long head with a slot across it. The stop pin in the press frame must be removed and
then inserted into the slot, so it holds the internal punch secure to the frame. If you
fail to secure the ejection pin punch this way, it may be destroyed when you try to
eject the bullet. Push the seated core and jacket into the point forming die using an
external punch that matches the base shape. (If you change base shapes in the core
seating operation, you will need a matching external punch for the point former).
A point forming die is made to use a certain kind of material and lead hardness.
While it may work with other materials and hardnesses, the diameter of the resulting
bullet may change slightly. For best results, use the same jacket and lead materials
that were used to develop and adjust the dies. For instance, a die set developed for
using copper tubing jackets may work with standard commercial jackets, but the
diameter may be as much as .0005 to .001 inches different because of material
spring-back and pressure. The difference in diameter can only be determined by
testing with a given set of dies and materials.
Never attempt to push the jacket material up into the ejection pin hole. Push the
bullet only far enough so that you achieve the desired tip closure or until you reach
the diameter of the ejection pin itself, whichever comes first. Pushing material into
the ejection pin hole can break the die by concentrating tons of force in a tiny area.
If you need a smaller tip, use the LEAD TIP FORMER (LT-1) to gently push the end
of the jacket more tightly closed, or add a lead tip for a smooth supersonic outline. A
small hard lead shot dropped into the tip of the bullet before finishing the ogive can
be used to form a strong lead tip in the final operation. Lead tip bullets require a
much larger opening and a "blob" of extruded lead from the point forming stage, in
order to have material to reshape and a "stem" attaching the tip to the
The POINT FORMER
(PF-1) uses an
internal punch
called the "ejection
pin". A slot in the
head of the ejection
pin fits the STOP
PIN on the press
frame.
During the back or
ejection stroke, the
stop pin holds the
ejection pin punch
while the ram and
die travel back
together, forcing the
bullet to be ejected
by its tip.
A hollow point pistol bullet can be
made by using an external HP
punch in the core seater....
...followed by gently curving
the nose in the point former.