Hollowpoint Skiving/Serration on Slugs

[Stretchearstrong]

Has anyone ever found a manufacturer or experimented with making a slug that has serrations or skiving along the meplat of a slug? I haven't been able to find any articles or threads talking about a slug that has cuts for expansion.

I've been tossing around the idea of trying to cut some with a jewelers handsaw (onviously not consistent or fast to make) or making a jig to cut petals or serrations into .30 slugs. I'd try a larger caliber but I don't currently own anything bigger than a .30

Anyone know of any info on this subject, a manufacturer producing slugs that have serrations or skiving or have firsthand experience trying something like this?

 

[cosmic]

Try cutting tip broadhead in a press

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

I saw a post on GTA and a fellow was using a tiny phillips screw driver, wooden mallet and scoring the hollowpoints on some slugs. The pics of the expansion looked pretty good.

 

[Stretchearstrong]

I saw a post on GTA and a fellow was using a tiny phillips screw driver, wooden mallet and scoring the hollowpoints on some slugs. The pics of the expansion looked pretty good.

Can you track it down to link it here? Or give me a post title to search up?

 

[Stretchearstrong]

Try cutting tip broadhead in a press

I'm worried about deforming the base of the slug that way. I also think having an actual split in the slug would benefit far more than just pressing it in.

 

[cosmic]

Broadheads are very sharp, so I don't believe the pressure would deform the base..

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

I'm worried about deforming the base of the slug that way. I also think having an actual split in the slug would benefit far more than just pressing it in.

I don't remember the title of the post. However, he said you need to be gentle, and just use lite taps. I remember guys doing that to 38 PB rounds as well. Cross tops?

 

[JungleShooter]

Has anyone ever found a manufacturer or experimented with making a slug that has serrations or skiving along the meplat of a slug? I haven't been able to find any articles or threads talking about a slug that has cuts for expansion.

I've been tossing around the idea of trying to cut some with a jewelers handsaw (onviously not consistent or fast to make) or making a jig to cut petals or serrations into .30 slugs. I'd try a larger caliber but I don't currently own anything bigger than a .30

Anyone know of any info on this subject, a manufacturer producing slugs that have serrations or skiving or have firsthand experience trying something like this?
View attachment 481553

Hey Marco,

this topic is very interesting to me.
And so, I happen to have collected some info for my own records....

I have already purchased some philipps screwdriver heads — but so far I haven't moved further down this particularly interesting rabbit hole.


FRAGMENTING SLUGS —
with a Corbin Swaging Press:
BY: swish, aka Chad [AGN, GTA]
+
BY: The_Long_Shot [GTA] + Long_Shot [AGN], aka Tom Gavin

HAM Article, by Tom Gavin:

More Fragmenting Slug Performance Data - It’s Devastating!

In this post, Tom Gavin brings us more detail on his interesting research with more fragmenting slug performance data. Take it away Tom!

hardairmagazine.com

Post with many specs:

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. - Airguns & Guns Forum

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. , Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Video — impressive:
.25cal | 38gr | 760fps | Ballistic Gel 20%

XHP SLUGS —
Cutting Slits into the HP:

BY: Motorhead [GTA, aka Scott]
● 12Jan21, Thread: Slugs, with Philipps Screwdriver:

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better ! - Airguns & Guns Forum

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better !, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 13Jan21: Including ideas for closing the petals after cutting them: Thread, starting here:

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha! - Airguns & Guns Forum

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha!, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 26Mar21, Post:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

BY: kimoleto (aka Rubén, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 26, 48, 54, 55, 62-64, 73!, 75, 77!, 82, 87-90, 91!, 99!, 100!!, 104, 106, 107!



BY: KnifeMaker [GTA, aka Mike]
25Mar21:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 30-32


Idea to use broad heads to score the projectiles:
BY: Nvreloader (aka Don, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Please keep us posted on any advances you might make.
Cheers!

Matthias

 

[Stretchearstrong]

Hey Marco,

this topic is very interesting to me.
And so, I happen to have collected some info for my own records....

I have already purchased some philipps screwdriver heads — but so far I haven't moved further down this particularly interesting rabbit hole.


FRAGMENTING SLUGS —
with a Corbin Swaging Press:
BY: swish, aka Chad [AGN, GTA]
+
BY: The_Long_Shot [GTA] + Long_Shot [AGN], aka Tom Gavin

HAM Article, by Tom Gavin:

More Fragmenting Slug Performance Data - It’s Devastating!

In this post, Tom Gavin brings us more detail on his interesting research with more fragmenting slug performance data. Take it away Tom!

hardairmagazine.com

Post with many specs:

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. - Airguns & Guns Forum

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. , Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Video — impressive:
.25cal | 38gr | 760fps | Ballistic Gel 20%

XHP SLUGS —
Cutting Slits into the HP:

BY: Motorhead [GTA, aka Scott]
● 12Jan21, Thread: Slugs, with Philipps Screwdriver:

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better ! - Airguns & Guns Forum

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better !, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 13Jan21: Including ideas for closing the petals after cutting them: Thread, starting here:

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha! - Airguns & Guns Forum

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha!, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 26Mar21, Post:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

BY: kimoleto (aka Rubén, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 26, 48, 54, 55, 62-64, 73!, 75, 77!, 82, 87-90, 91!, 99!, 100!!, 104, 106, 107!



BY: KnifeMaker [GTA, aka Mike]
25Mar21:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 30-32


Idea to use broad heads to score the projectiles:
BY: Nvreloader (aka Don, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Please keep us posted on any advances you might make.
Cheers!

Matthias

YES! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKONG FOR! I hope to give it a go myself. I'm guessing thr long range accuracy will suffer until we design a casting mold or get in front of a serious MFG like Patriot, FX, JSB. But who knows, maybe results will be satisfactory enough to drive interest!

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

Good! Ya found it!

 

[Vetmx]

I’ve been doing it for years for close range lower speed applications. Long range accuracy goes out the window with my hillbilly method. If I don’t make a full cut and try to be conservative, it doesn’t make a difference with expansion.

 

[beerthief]

Has anyone ever found a manufacturer or experimented with making a slug that has serrations or skiving along the meplat of a slug? I haven't been able to find any articles or threads talking about a slug that has cuts for expansion.

I've been tossing around the idea of trying to cut some with a jewelers handsaw (onviously not consistent or fast to make) or making a jig to cut petals or serrations into .30 slugs. I'd try a larger caliber but I don't currently own anything bigger than a .30

Anyone know of any info on this subject, a manufacturer producing slugs that have serrations or skiving or have firsthand experience trying something like this?
View attachment 481553

you could use a Dremel tool with a saw blade they come in 1/2 inch to 1.25 inch and very thin . Drill the slug size hole in wood to place the slug in half way or more deep . might work .

 

[Stretchearstrong]

Hey Marco,

this topic is very interesting to me.
And so, I happen to have collected some info for my own records....

I have already purchased some philipps screwdriver heads — but so far I haven't moved further down this particularly interesting rabbit hole.


FRAGMENTING SLUGS —
with a Corbin Swaging Press:
BY: swish, aka Chad [AGN, GTA]
+
BY: The_Long_Shot [GTA] + Long_Shot [AGN], aka Tom Gavin

HAM Article, by Tom Gavin:

More Fragmenting Slug Performance Data - It’s Devastating!

In this post, Tom Gavin brings us more detail on his interesting research with more fragmenting slug performance data. Take it away Tom!

hardairmagazine.com

Post with many specs:

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. - Airguns & Guns Forum

SLUG SHOOTERS. Ballistic Gel. Slow Motion Video - HP versus Fragmenting Slugs. , Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Video — impressive:
.25cal | 38gr | 760fps | Ballistic Gel 20%

XHP SLUGS —
Cutting Slits into the HP:

BY: Motorhead [GTA, aka Scott]
● 12Jan21, Thread: Slugs, with Philipps Screwdriver:

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better ! - Airguns & Guns Forum

Getting a NSA .22 to open up better ... a LOT better !, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 13Jan21: Including ideas for closing the petals after cutting them: Thread, starting here:

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha! - Airguns & Guns Forum

New hp modded for the Raptor.Woha!, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

● 26Mar21, Post:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

BY: kimoleto (aka Rubén, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 26, 48, 54, 55, 62-64, 73!, 75, 77!, 82, 87-90, 91!, 99!, 100!!, 104, 106, 107!



BY: KnifeMaker [GTA, aka Mike]
25Mar21:

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

+ posts 30-32


Idea to use broad heads to score the projectiles:
BY: Nvreloader (aka Don, GTA)

Login - Airguns & Guns Forum

Login, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

Please keep us posted on any advances you might make.
Cheers!

Matthias

So I contacted Corbin at Corbins . com asking about having a custom die made to skive custom slugs in the name of science, consistency & repeatability as well as terminal performance. But in the meantime, I had to do some expirementation. I don't have a lathe or a mill to make my own dies (hence contacting Corbin) but I do have Torx bits and screwdrivers lol.
I tapped (left to right starting with a bare factory slug) a T15, a T25, a Pozidrive (didn't seem to make a difference over a traditional Phillips), and a Phillips screwdriver bit into the nose or meplat of some Javelin Gen2 56g .30 slugs.
I'll try shooting some into water to see what they do over a factory slug with no modification.
I also found an interesting pattent by SigSauer which details angles for the perforations/splits/skiving before the final swaging, listed below:

US9383178B2 - Hollow point bullet and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Hollow point bullets and methods of manufacturing such bullets are herein disclosed. The disclosed bullets include a monolithic core encased by a metal jacket. The jacket includes a plurality of v-shaped channels formed on the inner surface of the sidewall of the jacket. The core includes a...

patents.google.com

 

[Stretchearstrong]

you could use a Dremel tool with a saw blade they come in 1/2 inch to 1.25 inch and very thin . Drill the slug size hole in wood to place the slug in half way or more deep . might work .

Got some fairly decent results with the hillbilly screwdriver method for making an expanding bullet, using different torx bits

 

[Stretchearstrong]

I’ve been doing it for years for close range lower speed applications. Long range accuracy goes out the window with my hillbilly method. If I don’t make a full cut and try to be conservative, it doesn’t make a difference with expansion.

Got some fairly decent results with the hillbilly screwdriver method for making an expanding bullet, using different torx bits

 

[Stretchearstrong]

Photo of the 5 slugs I posted previously after being shot into a tub of water.
(Edited to show both sides of the slug)
Left to right, Factory slug, T15, T25, Pozidrive, Phillips.

I just tapped the bits into the nose or meplat. The T15 & T25 would actually bottom out and touch the base of the slug, which lead to more controlled and wider expansion. I think I'm going to try sharpening a torx bit to a point (while I wait on a response from Corbin) and see if making a star shaped divot in the slugs interior base will allow for MORE expansion and hopefully end with a slug that splits apart completely, dumping it's energy without over penetrating on a pigeon/squirrel sized target.

 

[Vetmx]

I sliced my slugs with a razor blade. Definitely more tedious than hitting them with a bit. But my previously good slug accuracy started going out the window after 50 yards. Did you test your accuracy at your previous max range with the modified slugs?

 

[Stretchearstrong]

I sliced my slugs with a razor blade. Definitely more tedious than hitting them with a bit. But my previously good slug accuracy started going out the window after 50 yards. Did you test your accuracy at your previous max range with the modified slugs?

I haven't had a chance to do so yet. Only checked the Impact deformation in water so far.
I would imagine as long as the exterior of the slug isn't being deformed it should carry the same BC and accuracy as an unmodified slug, but only testing will tell.
I'll do my best to get out this month and check at 100m with a 50pk of these slugs to see what's going on.
The T15 slugs seemed to really do what I wanted even more so than the T25. I think the key is to have the bit impact the interior base of the slug, while also barely changing the geometry of the meplat.

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

These Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator bullets are designed to make cavitating wound channels similar to a hollow point, but continue to penetrate. If the tip was resigned to take advantage of the barrel's twist direction, and cut on a CNC machine accordingly, it may also aid in long range "lift" (where the leading edge of each of the petals would "grab" the air and lightly trail off the backside similar to the airplane wing shape.

 

[Stretchearstrong]

These Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator bullets are designed to make cavitating wound channels similar to a hollow point, but continue to penetrate. If the tip was resigned to take advantage of the barrel's twist direction, and cut on a CNC machine accordingly, it may also aid in long range "lift" (where the leading edge of each of the petals would "grab" the air and lightly trail off the backside similar to the airplane wing shape.

That's interesting, but I have doubts about it creating any lift. I'm more interested in making a slug that stops near instantly upon impact with a soft target.