Help with Mihec 308 hunting bullet. What does check shank measure?

[BK7saum]

I've cast a few several weeks back. Recently as I have begun to size and lube,the gas checks will not slip onto the shank. The check shank measures approximately 0.286-0.2865. I have to seat the checks with a press and can see lead shaved from the check shank.

Checks are Hornady and I think Gator checks.

Is the shank supposed to be this large? My 311-410 mold casts a shank of 0.280.

Thanks, Brad

[another gunslinger]

I didnt measure the shank, I I bouught the same mold from the GB and hornady .30 caliber checks press on without issue.

[BK7saum]

Ok. Good to know that yours is functioning correctly.

I will doublecheck mine but boolits were round. Nothing holding the blocks apart.

[2thepoint]

BK7saum - I have the same mold and the shank size of the boolit measures 0.2873 ...........I tried some checks that I got from one of the members here on CB. They seem a bit too small. A fair amount checks wind up canted when I try to seat them.

I'm sending Sage a few sample boolits to see if he can make me some that will fit. Meanwhile I'll see if I can track down a few Hornady's to try. BTW, I believe Gators recommended max shank size is .284

[Iron Mike Golf]

Mine went on by hand, Some were snug. All *clicked* in place before getting sized and were very hard to get off

[dragon813gt]

I use a FCIII and with .011 aluminum I can't seat them by hand. They seat when sizing just fine with no shaving of lead. Now getting them seated square is a different story. Luckily the majority are coming out fine.

[hicard]

I wonder if someone here makes a tool to open up gaschecks just a little bit, enouth to get them started on stubborn shanks? Would also be useful to reopen checks that had to be removed from cast boolits and can be salvaged with the tap of a hammer and the proper size tool.

[BK7saum]

I was wondering the same thing. I've heard that some use a steel ball bearing and a tap with a hammer to open up the check a little more.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I'd anneal the checks before opening with a ball bearing.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?90128-annealing-gas-checks

[338RemUltraMag]

most 30 cal check shanks are in the area of .284 if you use a chamfer tool and touch the shank base it will allow the check to pop on without shaving the lead.

As a shameless plug I have 30 cal AL checks for 17.50/K shipped (sale this week)