So, been looking around for dies as gas checks aren't exactly cheap anymore. Was contemplating making a home made die set that might be ok, or a complete flop. Figuring it might just be worth buying one at this point and saving the hassle. So who actually makes gas check dies and which ones are worthwhile?
Who makes gas check dies?
- Thread starter Freyr_255
- Start date
I know Pat Marlin makes them, but one can grow old waiting for it to ship.
Plus its a two stage process which is cumbersum.
Forget who the guy making the one stroke was but I remember he was having health problems. Don't know if anyone took over.
I ended up making my own in .30 and 6.5. Sold my pat marlins cause it took twice as long
Even made a percussion cap die.
Plus its a two stage process which is cumbersum.
Forget who the guy making the one stroke was but I remember he was having health problems. Don't know if anyone took over.
I ended up making my own in .30 and 6.5. Sold my pat marlins cause it took twice as long
Even made a percussion cap die.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
Are you contemplating making thick GC's that will attach to a regular GC shanked slug or the
pop can thickness ones that are advertised to fit bevel or flat based slugs? Two very different cats...both can be easily built if you have access to some machining tools...the pop-can version can be very easily operated in any single stage loading press however the much heavier factory type GC's will require something with a lot of energy transfer to cut & pocket cleanly (think heavy "arbor press" here, at a minimum).
I built a pop can cutter modeled after the "Freecheck" commercial offering and it worked very well, made perfect little cups of alum....that is where the "worked very well" part of the equation ended, for me anyways. I could not get them to stay on bullet bases with any frequency that gave me any confidence that they would be safe to use, I was afraid of them coming off half ways down the barrel causing an obstruction on the next shot. I cant even comment on any accuracy benefits because I never shot any. It wasn't a total loss tho, I still use the cutter to cut perfect over-powder card wads for BP rounds.
And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record here, since I started powder coating, GC's have become obsolete in my loading room. It takes very few minutes to learn the basics & I can use any bullet base design with equal accuracy results.
pop can thickness ones that are advertised to fit bevel or flat based slugs? Two very different cats...both can be easily built if you have access to some machining tools...the pop-can version can be very easily operated in any single stage loading press however the much heavier factory type GC's will require something with a lot of energy transfer to cut & pocket cleanly (think heavy "arbor press" here, at a minimum).
I built a pop can cutter modeled after the "Freecheck" commercial offering and it worked very well, made perfect little cups of alum....that is where the "worked very well" part of the equation ended, for me anyways. I could not get them to stay on bullet bases with any frequency that gave me any confidence that they would be safe to use, I was afraid of them coming off half ways down the barrel causing an obstruction on the next shot. I cant even comment on any accuracy benefits because I never shot any. It wasn't a total loss tho, I still use the cutter to cut perfect over-powder card wads for BP rounds.
And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record here, since I started powder coating, GC's have become obsolete in my loading room. It takes very few minutes to learn the basics & I can use any bullet base design with equal accuracy results.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm wanting commercial thicknesses of gas checks as I use them for 454 Casull and 303 brit. I do already powder coat everything but feel like on these high pressure rounds it's a good idea to have a check in place as well. As far as non gas check bullets, I just powder coat and it's fine so really not concerned due to the low pressures. Seriously, powder coating the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to cast bullets as it keeps everything so clean.
I was thinking about making a cutter in the style of a drilled block of steel and punches. One hole to cut, one to cup. I don't have a lathe so I was trying to figure out something simple that I could build here with ease. Drilling a few holes and using a drill press as a makeshift punch lathe I figured I could make something that gives a close enough size to be usable after running through the sizer. Not the best solution but I've honestly been a bit perplexed by the lack of commercial availability of gas check dies given how many bullets are designed for them.
I'm wanting commercial thicknesses of gas checks as I use them for 454 Casull and 303 brit. I do already powder coat everything but feel like on these high pressure rounds it's a good idea to have a check in place as well. As far as non gas check bullets, I just powder coat and it's fine so really not concerned due to the low pressures. Seriously, powder coating the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to cast bullets as it keeps everything so clean.
I was thinking about making a cutter in the style of a drilled block of steel and punches. One hole to cut, one to cup. I don't have a lathe so I was trying to figure out something simple that I could build here with ease. Drilling a few holes and using a drill press as a makeshift punch lathe I figured I could make something that gives a close enough size to be usable after running through the sizer. Not the best solution but I've honestly been a bit perplexed by the lack of commercial availability of gas check dies given how many bullets are designed for them.
lots of people have build them with nothing more than a drill press and hacksaw
If you can't find the plans I could send them to you when I get back home
https://thereloadersnetwork.com/2018/05/17/gas-check-maker-one-stage-operation-want-one-read-this/
One step operation. Got it in .30 and it work perfectly.
One step operation. Got it in .30 and it work perfectly.
I've seen pictures and it seems simple enough. Biggest issue is going to be figuring out diameters etc. but I do have factory checks here to use as templates. I figure I'll probably screw it up a few times until I get it right lol!
I do like this and thanks for sharing. Do you know roughly what they are worth to purchase? He has an order form but no pricing that I can see.
- Location
- castlegar B.C.
I was quoted at around $140 USD for one shipped
Ouch. Thanks for the information. I guess I'll try the cheap way first as I need a couple sizes.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
There's only one way to make cheap $20 loading equipment of all different shapes & sizes...and that's to invest in $15,000 worth of "hobby machines"...never say whoa in a tight spot!!
check out your local makerspace or hackerspace. many have machine tools you can use for a low monthly fee
You can contact the guy in my link - he was posting the plan and dimensions for his one step die on Catboolit.com
I am not a machinist, I paid for the .30 die. Getting them made by a local machinist would cost almost the same as buying them.
Check the price of gas checks..they are expensive too...$140 to make an unlimited number of them , is worth it in my book..
I am not a machinist, I paid for the .30 die. Getting them made by a local machinist would cost almost the same as buying them.
Check the price of gas checks..they are expensive too...$140 to make an unlimited number of them , is worth it in my book..
I have two of Pat Martins dies. One for gas check based bullets and the other for plain based bullets. I know it is a two step process but you can do a lot of checks in the evening listening to a ball game or hockey on TV or radio. I find it relaxing.
An evening in front of a die set and you will have a years supply of gas checks. He makes a good product worth it for the hobbyist.
Take Care
Bob
An evening in front of a die set and you will have a years supply of gas checks. He makes a good product worth it for the hobbyist.
Take Care
Bob
Are you guys using lube on the aluminium to punch the gas check. I turned up a gas check maker using Dima pork plans. Works good but I am getting some tearing on the aluminum when I punch them out. I have been using coke cans and aluminum flashing I think about 0.011 thick. I tried transmission oil didn't seem to help. Any advice?
Does your set up punch out disks then you form the GC or is it done in one action? I use Pat Marlin dies that require two steps. I nave the dies for GC bullets and plain base and neither result in a tear. I use both pop can and flashing with the same result.
Take Care
Bob
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
If you are getting tearing I would suggest your cutting edge's do not mesh perfectly or one edge or the other has a slight "roll" at the tear location...a very square cutting edge that both male & female parts are of an almost friction fit to cut smoothly. If there is even a hint of movement/slack one way or the other of the top punch, the side with the clearance will tear instead of cutting.
If that is the case I would not worry about it as long as they will fit on the bullet securely.
Take Care
Bob
Hey thanks for the input. I was checking to make sure every was aligned properly and noticed the punch was way too short. I turned up a new punch and it punches out very nice looking gas checks.
I was shooting a home turned 6.5 mold and I was getting leading at about 1700 fps with a plain base bullet. I put on a gas check and the leading stopped. I just have to build up an accurate load now.
Thanks again for the help guys.
I was shooting a home turned 6.5 mold and I was getting leading at about 1700 fps with a plain base bullet. I put on a gas check and the leading stopped. I just have to build up an accurate load now.
Thanks again for the help guys.
