August 8, 2022. Many of our readers are interested in learning more about how modern bullets are made. A “boutique” bullet maker can make bullets with simple hand dies or manual presses provided they have the right cores and jackets. Factory production is however, quite different. Barnes is one of the major bullet-makers. He can craft bullets using a few basic tools, such as hand dies and manual presses. But factory production is different. Barnes gives an “inside view” of the bullet production process through a series videos filmed at its Mona factory in Utah. We have embedded four videos from this series. These videos can also been viewed on the Barnes Bullets YouTube Channel.
This video shows the cutting of the slots between the drive bands in the TSX all copper bullet. These slots reduce the bearing surface that touches the rifling. This reduces friction and heat, which extends the life of barrels that are used with all-metal drive-band bullets. Varminator Bullets Made in Jumbo Transfer Press
Here’s the transfer press that was used to produce Varminator and MPG Bullets. The process starts with a huge spool of flat copper material. The copper is then stamped into jackets, and the Varminator bullets are ejected one at a time into a bucket. Automatically Turns Bullets on CNC Lathe
The video below shows how a Bar-Feed CNC makes mono-bloc bullets out of metal bar stock. Barnes uses a small CNC to turn.50 caliber bullets out of brass bar stock. This video doesn’t reveal which bullet is being made. It appears to be made of sintered metal. The close-ups show gold-colored shavings that were once used to make CNC-turned brass bullets. Accuracy Testing in a 100-yard Tunnel
Barnes regularly tests bullet samples to ensure accuracy. The video below shows a Barnes technician loading sample rounds and testing them for accuracy in a tunnel measuring 100 yards. The rounds are shot through a special fixture, which is basically a barreled action connected with parallel rods on either end. This allows the testing fixture slide back on recoil (see it moving back at the 1:07 to 08 minute mark). Upside-Down Trigger — Application to Unlimited Benchrest Competition
The trigger is actuated by the tester, which points UPWARDS. This is the opposite of a normal rifle. The technician taps the upward-pointing trigger shoes lightly with a metal rod. This upside-down trigger could be used for benchrest shooting, perhaps with railguns. This could be an interesting experiment. Story suggestion by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from readers.
