Gas Check Question

[glenliz87]

Greetings all!
My gas checks are still on back order so I figured I will ask for some advice. Will a .314 Lee Sizer crimp a gas check on a .312 cast bullet. I have a .311 Lee Sizer as well but I didn't want to use that one because I did not want to narrow the .312 down any further. I could not locate a .312 Lee Sizer so I assumed the .314 should work. I hope I wasn't wrong. If I was, looks like I will be posting it for sale soon.
By the way, I just casted 400 bullets for my .303 & 308. I used WW & added 1% 95/5 solder (95% tin 5% antimony). The molds filled out perfectly & the bullets look great! I'm surprised at how this casting session went without problem.

 

[Levi Garrett]

All I can say is I use 30 cal GC and size to .310 no worries. I use a loading press to size, and tap them flush on the bench prior to passing through the sizing die..

 

[glenliz87]

I will be using 30 cal. gas checks for the .308 & .303. I was just wondering if the .314 sizer will crimp on a gas check on a .312 bullet or is the sizer going to be too big & just have the gas checked bullet fall through it without crimping it in place? I plan on using the .311 sizer to crimp gas checks on a .310 bullet as well. I hope this works.

 

[Rod B]

The Lee sizing die works for me.

I'm using Hornady gas checks on the Lee 90371, 185gr bullet.

Rod.

 

[glenliz87]

Rod,
That is the same mold I am using too. What size Lee sizer are you using?

 

[grouch]

I have the lee 312185 mold and .314 sizer. It crimps the gas check o.k. but just not real tight. Functions all right, shoots o.k. I wouldn't rush to sell it. If you have trouble, I'd look for a larger diameter mold for the .303 - either Lyman 314299 or the 190gr flat nose sold by Cast Bullet Engineering.

 

[Rod B]

Rod,
That is the same mold I am using too. What size Lee sizer are you using?

I am using the Lee 90044 (.314).

I find this just barely touches the sides of the cast bullet but nicely trims off the excess bullet lube. I pan lube my bullets. The gas checks seem to be seated OK & I can feel them being squeezed down to crimp on the base when the bullets are pushed through this die.

I'm using wheel weighs with one pound of linotype to ten pounds of ww.

 

[glenliz87]

Rod, & Grouch,
Thank you very much, that is the exact info I was looking for. I have the same sizer as you Rod, .314. At least now I know that it will work for me. All I have to do now is wait for my gas checks arrive. Thanks again for the great info!