swagged balls

[the rifleer]

So cast balls have an imperfection on the top when you pour the lead in, if you are good it isnt much, but its still there.

Store bought swagged balls seem to be just about as perfectly rounds as they can be. How do they make them so round? What exactly is Swagged?

 

[B.L.E.]

It's swaged not swagged, the lead is cold formed into a ball without melting it by very high pressure.
Usually, a length of lead wire is cut to size and then that wire is compressed into a ball by the swaging dies and a powerful press or by hammering with a sledge hammer.

If you are interested in swaging your own:
http://www.bulletswage.com/bsk-1.htm

 

[BillM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaging#Firearms_and_ammunition

 

[alemonkey]

I've heard of putting lead balls in a tumbler to knock the flats off them. I just started casting my own so I plan to try it.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Save yourself some time and effort...point the sprue flat so it s toward the barrel in center best ya can...you'll never know it was there.
Lee molds are pretty much a spruless mold.

 

[long rider]

Just like smokin gun said.