A method of producing a piston blank, comprising producing an intermediate blank of a piston for an axial piston machine by extrusion wherein the intermediate blank includes a shaft portion, a ball head portion, and a sealing portion, wherein the shaft portion connects the ball head portion to the sealing portion. The method also includes producing a piston blank of the piston from the intermediate blank and machining a through-opening in the intermediate blank, wherein the through-opening extends within the piston blank in the longitudinal direction.