Gas Checks???

[leftysixgun]

I am considering buying my first gas check mold. I normally shoot plain base bullets. It will be for my 41magnum and the HP bullet is right around 215gr. The plan is to push it pretty darn hard!
What brand gas checks do you guys like and recommend?

[matt56]

I have a good supply of gator check gas checks I bought from NOE but their stock is hit or miss lately. I will buy Hornady but only at gun shows where I can find them cheaper than retail.

[wheelguns]

Sage’s outdoors sells a full line of gator gas checks.

[bullseye]

Gator check's are all I use anymore. They're high quality & VERY affordable compared to the other brands.

[leftysixgun]

Thanks for the Sages Outdoors lead on the Gator checks. What are the pros and cons of aluminum GC and copper GC?
And Im assuming that the 416 rifle GC is NOT what I need, correct?
Now, what is the “Lyman caliber” Gator gas check?

[leftysixgun]

Haha, another thing, what is a plain base gas check? How do those work?
Seems like that would be really big at the base when sizing the bullet and even seating it in a case.

[sixshot]

This is one place the 41 is a little bit odd. You will need to measure the shank on the base of your 41 bullets to know what gas checks to use. The Gator checks work on some & the Hornady 416 will work on some but not on others. Sage will sort it out for you if you know the shank diameter. Many times you will end up using the Lyman type gas check.

Dick

[leftysixgun]

Hahaha, lovely, I have to buy the mold first.

[sixshot]

Many times when you look at the mould design it will show the shank diameter, or you can ask the mould maker.

Dick

[dhd]

Nov 10, 2018 18:57:33 GMT -5 leftysixgun said:

Haha, another thing, what is a plain base gas check? How do those work?
Seems like that would be really big at the base when sizing the bullet and even seating it in a case.

I bought quite a few of the PBGC from Sage last year. I originally used the Lee sizing dies for installing them, but had a large reject rate (crooked or the check would tear). I then tried using my Lubesizer and that did the trick. If you're going to lube and size the bullets then you should be good to go. Personally I found there is a learning curve to installing them on perfectly.


I mostly powdercoat my cast bullets so that adds even more steps but the results are worth it if you have an accurate PB bullet to start with. I would put on the PBGC's soon after casting if you are using anything in the WW alloy hardness as they can be tough to size on after age hardening.

[frankenfab]

Nov 10, 2018 18:56:20 GMT -5 leftysixgun said:

Thanks for the Sages Outdoors lead on the Gator checks. What are the pros and cons of aluminum GC and copper GC?
And Im assuming that the 416 rifle GC is NOT what I need, correct?
Now, what is the “Lyman caliber” Gator gas check?

The Lyman caliber gas checks are very thin. They fit the oddball shank on the Lyman mold. Lyman quit making the checks some time ago.

[leftysixgun]

Thanks Frank, looks like its down to Hornady and Gators