Gas checks for .329?
- Thread starter Fox
- Start date
I see 8mm (0.323) and 338, not .329 or .330, my friend has said that the .323 does not clamp on to the .329 hard cast bullets.
I've had issues getting 8mm Gator checks and also random eBay aluminum checks onto the Lee .329" bullets in the past. They work fine on .323" bullets but fall off if you shake a .329" after sizing. I've had two .329" molds from Lee (one old style and one new style) and they both have the same problem. Shanks are too small for .323" checks maybe?
Has anyone tried .338" checks on .329" bullets? I've used checks meant for .308" on a couple thousand .311", .312", and .314" cast bullets.
Could also try opening the shank portion of the mold a couple thou to give a more positive grip I suppose? Since that part of the mold is at the top it wouldn't be too difficult.
Has anyone tried .338" checks on .329" bullets? I've used checks meant for .308" on a couple thousand .311", .312", and .314" cast bullets.
Could also try opening the shank portion of the mold a couple thou to give a more positive grip I suppose? Since that part of the mold is at the top it wouldn't be too difficult.
Measure the bullet shank and buy a gas check that fits. If the 8mm doesn't fit, then try a 338 check. There is no .330" check that I am aware of.
Depending ion the shank size, a larger size gas check can work OK. I use Sage 8mm checks on some .309 bullets because they fit better than the regular 30 cal check. Gator checks are about the best IMO, Lyman is OK too, Sage aluminum checks are pretty reliable and consistent as well. For everything else there is a wide variation in sizing.
Depending ion the shank size, a larger size gas check can work OK. I use Sage 8mm checks on some .309 bullets because they fit better than the regular 30 cal check. Gator checks are about the best IMO, Lyman is OK too, Sage aluminum checks are pretty reliable and consistent as well. For everything else there is a wide variation in sizing.
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I have almost a full 1000 bag of Sage's 8mm gas checks that are too small for my Lee 8mm (323) bullets.
At the center of the curve in the gas check, they measure .290". My Lee .323" bullets measure .308" at the shank.
I have already damaged a Lyman lube/size die, while trying to force these on.
If they fit your bullets, I will happily sell them to you.
At the center of the curve in the gas check, they measure .290". My Lee .323" bullets measure .308" at the shank.
I have already damaged a Lyman lube/size die, while trying to force these on.
If they fit your bullets, I will happily sell them to you.
Thanks but I'm not buying aluminum checks any more.
I recently bought several thousand 8mm gator checks that turned out to be mislabelled (by the 3rd party reseller) and were actually 30 cal gas checks. That sounds like what you have with your undersized Sage checks.
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I now figured out that the 8mm checks are the correct outside size but were made with too thick an aluminum sheet. (.020" plus)
Aluminum gas checks have been too big, too small, too thick and too hard.
Sometimes I have gotten lucky and they have been just right.
I even got a sample pack prior to getting the thousand 8mm checks. The sample pack checks were snug but could be made to fit with a bit of pressure after opening up the check a bit.
Aluminum gas checks have been too big, too small, too thick and too hard.
Sometimes I have gotten lucky and they have been just right.
I even got a sample pack prior to getting the thousand 8mm checks. The sample pack checks were snug but could be made to fit with a bit of pressure after opening up the check a bit.
I use Alu gas checks.I haven't used copper checks in a long time but have some in case I get new mold and like to compare performance with alu vs copper.For me alu gc work the same way or better than copper checks.
Why?if gas check shank on boolit is a bit larger than it should be for given caliber check alu expands very nicely and evenly when seated-copper check doesn't.
For .329 mold I use 8mm alu CG.
Why?if gas check shank on boolit is a bit larger than it should be for given caliber check alu expands very nicely and evenly when seated-copper check doesn't.
For .329 mold I use 8mm alu CG.
I have no reason to dislike aluminum check performance in most things. But like Boolitcaster already said, so much variation and disappointment when they don't fit or are too soft and won't stay crimped. Find yourself a reliable check maker/supplier and stick with them.
Gas checks are already oversize and depend on the sizer to size and crimp them onto the bullet. No gas check should have to "expand" and a sizing die cannot make a gas check expand anyway.
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New to reloading here, and even newer to casting m'own. I recently acquired some GC (sorry OP...too small to be of use to you), and it's only fuelled my desire to try powder coating.
