Here's a spool of lead-wire, ready to cut into "sticks", prior to further cutting into "slugs", which will then be "squirted" (formed) into "cores". Core forming/swaging assures the most important attribute of bullet making - proper VOLUME and, less critically, but somewhat related, uniform weight. It is worth noting that, with alloy cores - in my opinion, superior to "pure lead" cores - VOLUME and weight may not correlate as closely as with non-alloy ["pure"] lead - within reason, this is of no consequence: bullets are made by VOLUME, not weight - this will become clearer as we proceed. For a primer on some of the benifits of HARD(ER) core materials, read RIFLE ACCURACY FACTS, by [the late] Harrold Vaughn. Mr. Vaugn's findings validated one of my BALLISTIC IDIOT hypotheses: based upon my expirimenting, I BELIEVED that hard cores made/make "better" bullets . . . Mr. Vaughn confirmed my expiriments . . . but who KNOWS - for CERTAIN ? RG