Gas Checks to prevent barrel leading? Necessary or it depends?

Devlin

Devlin

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Evening gang, looking for some advice when re-loading with lead cast bullets for my Pedersoli 1886 in 45/70. A friend asked me if I was using gas checks on the projectiles to which my naive self replied what's a gas check and why would I do that? I got a long talking too about the risks of leading up the barrel too much and finding myself in a world of hurt.

I've picked up the Lyman cast bullet book and am reading up on reloading for this style of bullet, I have a lot of experience re-loading for copper plated and more modern projectiles from the precision world but this is new to me. I'm using the following bullets in the rifle:

https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/missouri-bullet-co-45-70-458-405gr-rnfp-cast-lead-bullet-200box/

The Bullet Barn - 405 Grain 45/70 RNFP TLG BB


I'm trying out a few powders including:

- Trail Boss for plinking bullets are running at just over 1000 fps
- Unique for plinking 13 grains - bullets are running at about 1120 fps
- IMR 4198 for something a little quicker running at about 1500 fps

* The plinking loads are an absolute blast to shoot and make this rifle all that much more enjoyable for a day at the range.

I've read varying accounts of when to worry about leading and the scenarios seem to vary all over the place from the bit of research I've done so far. Would welcome any input you folks may have on this.
 
Barrel leading is more about the fit of the bullet than anything else. Hot gasses bypassing the bullet will liquify the lead leading to deposits.

If you have a good bullet fit, leading shouldn't be an issue
 
yomomma said:
Barrel leading is more about the fit of the bullet than anything else. Hot gasses bypassing the bullet will liquify the lead leading to deposits.

If you have a good bullet fit, leading shouldn't be an issue
Click to expand...

Exactly. With a decent alloy and good bullet fit a gas check isn't necessary for the pressures you are likely to see with a .45-70.
 
I shoot mostly cast bullets done with LEE molds and use gas checks. Needless to jump all over me about that, but I never have leading in my rifles either. Some loads are mild, some are a bit hotter. I tumble lube with LEE Alox, then size and install gas checks in a LEE sizer die, then tumble lube again. If I am going to dust them out a bit faster, I sometimes put a bit of blue lube on the grooves with my fingers.

I have kept it simple for many years, and still enjoy casting. Most of my bullets are cast with wheel weights and a bit of lino. I have a lifetime supply of lino and likely the same with WW.
 
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