Author Topic: .44 Cal Gas Checks Not Crimping  (Read 1083 times)

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Offline Lewis50

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.44 Cal Gas Checks Not Crimping
« on: July 21, 2004, 11:14:34 AM »
Veral,
     I got around to casting some bullets with my new mold, .433-280LFNgc-.45nose, with wheel weights and all the measurements are fine except that the gas checks will not crimp to the bullet. The size die I'm using is a Lyman honed to .432 and while the bullet springs back to .433 (as cast is .434) the O.D. of the  Hornady gas check measures .432 and it is loose on the shank. I've tried bumping, squaring the base on the lift out plug, (machined per your instructions with a dished out center)  then seating the check and lubeing but at best the check will spin on the shank and some are only held on by the lube. The O.D. measure of the shanks, as cast, is .396 and the I.D. of the checks before sizeing is .400, after sizing it is .398. Some of the bullets will leave their checks on the lift out plug when I remove them from the die unless I push the  plug up to completely free the bullet. Granted the checks will stay on after the lube sets for awhile, but all my other checked molds are firmly attached to the bullet when they come out of the die. What should I do?

Offline Veral

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.44 Cal Gas Checks Not Crimping
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2004, 06:22:13 PM »
I answered you personally by email, but this answer is good information for all casters so I'll answer again here for the public.

You are talking about only .002 clearance, and rifling depth averages about .008, so the checks will lock on firmly and do their job if you shoot these bullets.  However, handling during sizing and loading is a hassle you don't need to live with when LBT is stamped on the mold, so if you return it I'll fix it N/C. - With the oversize bullet we are working close to max diameter for these checks, so after I increase the shank diameter, you may have to press the checks on, and positively will have to if the mold isn't held firmly closed with every cast.  An easy fix for checks which almost hang on like this, and if the bullets perform properly, is to put a tiny smear of bullet lube on the base of the bullet before seating the check, to hold them in place while handling.

Don't do this with bullets for bottleneck cartridges if the check is seated below the case neck, as they will fall off into the powder and cause leading and inaccuracy with the bullets which lose their checks.  - The check will exit the bore without harm but may fly wildly sideways in flight, and could be dangerous under some condtions.
Veral Smith

Offline Lewis50

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.44 Cal Gas Checks Not Crimping
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2004, 10:50:00 AM »
I've been shooting these bullets since I e-mailed you and am getting as good as I can see with iron sights accuracy- ~3" st 100 yards, 6 shots. I have a swinging pig, IHMSA 100 meter target, and when the bullets hit the 3/8 steel they flatten and fragment. I'm finding the  bases with the checks on and a bunch of checks lieing separately under the pig with the bullet remains, this indicats the checks are indeed being crimped on in the barrel and imparting an accurate spin to the bullet. I may send you back the mold after hunting season to enlarge the check shanks for peace of mind but I'm pleased with the performance of these low velocity ( 950 fps) target loads, now to try out something a bit hotter.
                                     Thanks,
                                      Lewis

Offline Veral

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.44 Cal Gas Checks Not Crimping
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2004, 05:59:26 PM »
One of the problems with offering any size bullet a customers gun needs, as you have, is that gas checks have a limit and your 433 diameter is near the top for 44 cal checks.  If I open the shanks a bit more, you'll have problems getting the checks on should the slightest thing cause the mold to cast an occasional oversize bullets.  

Since performance is fine, you'd do well to not return the mold to have th shanks enlarged.
Veral Smith