After mentioning the Waltz Dies in another thread (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6685), i thought i would be an idea to put up a post about it.
This is what it looks like:
So how does it work and is it worth it?
The Waltz Die offers two functions. Firstly, it creates a flat point on round nose solid 22lr ammo (or hollow points) at the same time, the diameter of the bullet is made uniform, there by ensuring a uniform seal in the barrel and more consistent pressures & velocities. Measuring the example round here, Federal Champion Hollow Point, the diameter of the bullet can vary by up to 3thou so if you have one bullet that is exactly .224" and one that is .221", you are going to have markedly different pressures/velocities and the point of impact is going to reflect this, ie: your accuracy/precision will be effected. The Waltz die has uniformly sized the base of these Fed Champ HPs to 0.2245".
I don't have any pics to show but i have found that the Fed Champ Solids actually benefit more from this process than the HPs. With solids, i have taken them from a factory round nose that reliably shoots 1.5" @ 50m to a modified bullet (with flat nose) capable of reliably shooting 0.75" (or less) @ 50m; all else being equal, in my T-bolt 22lr. If you were to then weight sort and rim sort the rounds, you can get them to shoot very consistently indeed but you have to be pretty bored or pedantic to do that on a regular basis. So, a round that costs $40 for 550 can be made to match the accuracy of the rifle's otherwise preferred round that costs $110 for 500. Go through 2-3 bricks of ammo and the die has paid for it's self.
The other function of the die is to create some very effective hollow points in solid rounds or to uniform the hollow points in cheaper rounds where they are very inconsistent or near useless. For instance, i find that some HP in the Fed Champ are little more than a dimple. So, the benfit being that a solid round that shoots like stink in your rifle can be made into a very effective and accurate hunting round.
Downside? Well, it doesn't improve every round. The Velocitors that my rifle usually loves ended up shooting worse after HP uniforming in the Waltz die but then, when you are paying $12 a box for a hunting round that will put 5 rounds 0.4" @ 50m, why screw with it!??!
Also, the die set comes with a set of instructions that out lines the optimum diameter of the 'flat nose'. I suggest sticking to it as i have found that overdoing it can be counter productive by effecting the seal of the bullet in the case; well, that's my theory, anyway.
The only other downside is that they are not easy to get your hands on. I had to be very patient when ordering mine. I think machining is this guy's strong point, not email correspondence!!! In the end, i was teaming up with a forum buddy to get a couple of sets and i think he actually got the order first and sent mine to me after i paid postage and a few extra bucks for his effort so he could buy some ammo to test.