Question on gas checks and powder coat

[foxtrapper]

Apply gc and size before or after? Concerned that if I powder coat before I apply gas checks and size the paint will come off in th process. The gas checks are a tight fit to start. Mold throws at .412 , I size to .410

[contender]

I always PC my bullets,, then add the gas check as I size them.

[leadhound]

The way I understand it, if the powder coat comes off after it wasn't any good to begin with?

[boatswainsmate]

After.

[bearskinner]

Apr 14, 2024 18:15:43 GMT -5 contender said:

I always PC my bullets,, then add the gas check as I size them.

That’s how I learned to do it too. I learned from the master, Sixshot. The gas check will sit a little sideways till you run it thru the sizer, then it’s on there to stay. The sized bullet will look like glass, but I’ve never had any powder come off.

I’ve also had a bullet or two that I discarded after powder coating, so I place them on an anvil and impact them 15-20 times with a sledge hammer. The powder stays on, and I flatten them down to nickel thickness. Good way to check brittle or overly soft bullets

[foxtrapper]

Thanks gents!

[gman50]

You can do it either way. If the PC has made the gas check shank difficult to fit NOE does make a tool to flare the gas check to make installation easier.

[bradshaw]

Apr 14, 2024 12:30:56 GMT -5 foxtrapper said:

Apply gc and size before or after? Concerned that if I powder coat before I apply gas checks and size the paint will come off in th process. The gas checks are a tight fit to start. Mold throws at .412 , I size to .410

*****

foxtrapper.... contender and boatswainsmate are correct.

The first batch of the Bradshaw-Martin .357 194 SWC Gas Check bullets cast by Lee----in the bullet's first mold (Dan, now retired, @ Mountain Molds----had some gas checks fall off of em in shipping. These bullets I set aside for targeting @ 100 yards. Reset gas checks by hand and deep seated the 104 grain semi wad cutters one 18.5/H4227 in Remington .357 Maximum 1.605” brass with small rifle primer. My best groups sandbag 5x5 around 2-inches from stock Ruger with 10-1/2” Blackhawk Maximum.

Bradshaw-Martins 194’s recovered from penetration through water jugs retained gas check. Likewise, bullets which zippered through snow and grass.

My little experiment with gas checks slightly crooked on the heal of the bullet at the start of seating suggests that firing fully seats the gas check. Make sure edge of gas check doesn’t catch on heal of bullet.
David Bradshaw

[bula]

Some of Boatswainsmate's bullet pics are worthy of framing, just sayin'.

[boatswainsmate]

Apr 15, 2024 11:26:55 GMT -5 bula said:

Some of Boatswainsmate's bullet pics are worthy of framing, just sayin'.

Thanks

[blackmamba]

And Boats' bullets shoot as good as they look! I had some commercially gas-checked bullets which a few had the check come off in the box. I just slipped them back on, gave a tap on the loading bench and loaded 'em right up. Never had a problem or lost accuracy.

[foxtrapper]

Got some cooking right now! Paint courtesy of Trey (x101airbourne) 5 minutes left!

[foxtrapper]

Looking good! Cooling now! If these things take a gas check while sizing, gotta be easiest way to lube a bullet! I’m late to the show but I’m a convert now! Checks went right on , smooth sizing too! Smash test success! Thanks to all!