This is getting silly. The original poster said he was drilling the
bullet, not the cartridge. The bullet is the actual projectile, not the
remaining parts that many people seem to want to call a "bullet".

To be clear, the thing is called a cartridge and is composed of a
casing, primer, powder and the bullet. The casing is the brass part,
the primer is the explosive "starter" at the base of the casing that is
whacked by the firing pin of the gun, which ignites the powder inside,
which then propels the bullet down the barrel and on to it's eventual
target (and perhaps the demise of said target).

Drilling a bullet isn't typically rocket science, but there a few
tricks. First, there is the issue of drilling through the copper jacket
(which can be accomplished with a regular bit and some care), however,
once you are into the lead, the bit tends to want to "self feed" so it
can be more challenging. Another poster already mentioned the trick of
changing the angle so the bit isn't as aggressive, but I've managed to
get away with just using paraffin as a lubricant and peck drilling (a
bit at a time, removing the bit fully to extract the shavings, and so
on). One problem with drilling lead is that the shavings tend not to be
extracted, either sticking to the bit or getting between the bit and the
drilled hole and causing it to bind, which with smaller bits nearly
always results in either a spinning of the bullet being drilled
(preferred action) or breaking the bit (sad face here). I tend to not
clamp the bullet that tightly, so if the bit binds I have a half a
chance to stop the drill press and back the drill out, re-lube it and
carefully move forward.

And for the person that indicated only the casing is used, that may be
for some, but the better pens typically have the bullet involved as
well. One that makes use of only the casing just looks "half done" to me...

Thanks
--Rick

skeez wrote:
On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:48:07 -0600, "Paul Gilbert"
wrote:

I came across some pens maid from rifle cartridges and deer antler on the
web. It seemed like a nice thing for some of my friends who hunt so I
started out to make some.

One problem. How do you drill a hole (5/64") through a copper jacket bullet
with lead in the center? I am on drill bit number 6 without successfully
making a single pen point. The bit seizes and snaps no matter what speed I
use.

I didn't think that this project was worth buying a Beal collet chuck so I
made one by drilling and tapping a piece of walnut to screw onto my
headstock. I then drilled the appropriate whole and cut an X on the end to
allow for compression. A hose clamp completed my collet chuck.

I file off the tip of the bullet so that the jacket is slightly bigger than
the drill bit. Then using a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock I try to drill a
whole through the bullet. I have used speeds from 100 rpm to 2,000 rpm. I
withdraw the bit every 1/8" and clean out the flutes, add oil and make sure
that the bullet is cool. I got through the bullet once but then the bit
stuck and snapped off. The bullets I am trying to use are 30-06 171 grain
full jacket bullets.

What am I doing wrong???

Paul Gilbert
Dallas, TX




the bullet pens are not made this way. you use a .308 caliber caseing
and a slimline kit. the nib fits the .308 casing. you turn a sleave to
fit inside the casing with the tube in it. google is your friend. I've
not made any yet but have seen it done and know many turners who do
this. you only use the casing. not the lead and certainly not the
primer. what you're doing could qualify for a darwin award!

skeez