flutedchamber
Member
This is a modification of 'setup cartridges' that you use to do a quick setup on your seating die. I made some up in 9mm and 45ACP that served me for quite a while. When setting the seating die one day I noticed that the rounds I produced looked a little 'short' compared to a batch that I ran off a week or so prior. They were, almost .025 shorter than what I wanted. I pulled the bullets and reseated them, then turned my attention to my setup rounds.
I removed the bullets in my setup rounds, cleaned the inside of the case neck and bullet with a bit of Scotchbrite and straight rubbing alcohol. I then drilled a 3/32 hole about 1/8 inch down from the mouth of the case and deburred the hole inside and out. The bullet was seated and checked for length, then I used my 100 watt hand soldering iron and some rosin core electronic solder to melt a tiny drop in the drilled hole, permanently bonding the bullet to the case. The drop was small enough that it did not alter the OD of the case, so it caused no die interference.
I first thought of using Loctite, but it COULD fail, and with my luck, if something COULD fail, it WILL fail if I do it. Not enough heat is applied to bother the lead core of the bullet.
I have also done rifle rounds the same way. Oh, I use an acid etch marker to write the cartridge overall length on each cartridge, and in the case of the 45ACP, which pistol it is intended for, as each likes a different cartridge overall length. You can buy the pen from various online sources. Here's a link to the manufacturer. http://www.fowlerprecision.com/Products/Screwdrivers-Tweezers/527300050.html
Just wash the case with a bit of soap and water when the etching is as dark as you like. Dry and apply a tiny bit of oil to the etched area. My etched cases are over 3 years old and the etching is still as crisp as the first day.
I removed the bullets in my setup rounds, cleaned the inside of the case neck and bullet with a bit of Scotchbrite and straight rubbing alcohol. I then drilled a 3/32 hole about 1/8 inch down from the mouth of the case and deburred the hole inside and out. The bullet was seated and checked for length, then I used my 100 watt hand soldering iron and some rosin core electronic solder to melt a tiny drop in the drilled hole, permanently bonding the bullet to the case. The drop was small enough that it did not alter the OD of the case, so it caused no die interference.
I first thought of using Loctite, but it COULD fail, and with my luck, if something COULD fail, it WILL fail if I do it. Not enough heat is applied to bother the lead core of the bullet.
I have also done rifle rounds the same way. Oh, I use an acid etch marker to write the cartridge overall length on each cartridge, and in the case of the 45ACP, which pistol it is intended for, as each likes a different cartridge overall length. You can buy the pen from various online sources. Here's a link to the manufacturer. http://www.fowlerprecision.com/Products/Screwdrivers-Tweezers/527300050.html
Just wash the case with a bit of soap and water when the etching is as dark as you like. Dry and apply a tiny bit of oil to the etched area. My etched cases are over 3 years old and the etching is still as crisp as the first day.