Need some gas checking advice

[Ardent]

Never have used lead in a rifle, and now I plan to start casting for my No.1 Mk.III, will be using the Lee .303 mold. Now as this is the first rifle for me casting wise, I'd love a bit of advice on gas checks, what equipment will I need? I envision a simple setup of some sort of plier like crimper ideally... I'm using the Lee Lubri-Sizer, so an RCBS style lubri-sizer is not what I'm set up for (I do believe they will seat the gas check too, no?)

 

[Levi Garrett]

Perfect , gas checks will crimp excellent during the sizing process.
I start by placing the GC on where its suppose to go, then confirm it bottoms(a light tap on the bench top), then run it through the sizer, comes out perfect.
A bit of tumble lube prior to placing the gas checks on is required for easy running in the die. (Run bullets through nose first, sitting upright , comes out over the top)
I now use stick lube applied by hand just prior to loading in the cartridge case, why , just cause lol, well if the bullet has deep grooves , it just seems the thing to do.

 

[Ardent]

OK good advice, thanks, though my Lee sizer feeds them through tail first... I'll give it a go anywhow and see.

 

[Levi Garrett]

It should not, the kit comes with a plug you put in place of the shell holder, you just sit the bullet on the plug (GC in place) , and then just run it up through the die. It pops up through the top. The force required to pass through the die forces the GC against the bottom of the bullet. perfect fit every time..

 

[Ardent]

Thanks bud.

 

[X-man]

To be honest, I really never saw the need to use gas checks with my .303s. If you're shooting lead, I never saw the necessity to try and match jacketed performance so never pushed the lead pills to excessive speeds. Light loads, hard bullet alloy and good lube and leading hasn't been a problem for me.

You want to be careful of those LEE moulds though. I've yet to find one that will cast a bullet that isn't out of round. A better option is the Lyman 314299. It would help to swag your barrel first to get an accurate idea of you rifle's bore diameter. Dan at Mountain Moulds makes some very nice moulds at affordable prices and can cut one to your required diameter, design and in your choice of iron, brass or aluminum.

 

[Levi Garrett]

If you use a good mix of alloy lee moulds are great, gonna size 'em anyway. And GC's will make them shoot more accurate.

 

[Ardent]

Thanks again, and good to hear from you Sean, how are things? I'll try this Lee out, and then might talk to mountain molds as recommended.