Gas checks.

[trixter]

I know that there are a few other places where there is some discussion of these little critters, but I want just simple opinions on this one, not engineering soliloquies.
I shoot a couple of 30 cal rifles, and I have a Lee 309-150 RFN mold that makes very nice boolits. I bought a box of 1000 copper gas checks and have used most of them up. I have looked at the price of replacing them, and am looking at all of my options.

I would like just an opinion: copper or aluminum. also I would like to find someone who would send me some sample (5-10) aluminum checks (.309) to try to help mi in my decision.
If you can send me samples, pm me for address.

Thank you.

[10milg29]

A guy on ebay sells them. Pick up 250 of them for like $8.

[pworley1]

I have shot both copper and home made aluminum checks and I can not determine any measurable difference in performance.

[Larry Gibson]

If the aluminum GCs fit tightly on the GC shank they most often will work as well as copper/brass GCs upwards of 2000 fps. I've found in a couple milsurp rifles that loose fitting aluminum GCs can give accuracy problems as well as being a PITA when lubing and loading. Above 2000 fps even the tighter fitting aluminum GCs can give accuracy problems but it depends on the aluminum used.

When I do make aluminum GCs I use .014 thick aluminum.

Larry Gibson

[bhn22]

soliloquies. That's a big word. Kind of like "Grasshopper".

A lot depends on how much you're going to shoot. Factory gas checks are around three cents each, and 1000 of the pesky little rascals last a really long time.

[mdi]

I believe the material for the aluminum gas checks makes a difference. Drink cans are good and soft, but usually too thin for a good fit. If the aluminum checks are soft and thicker; as Mr. Gibson states .014"-.016", there prolly isn't enough difference to bother with. I haven't read any 10,000 round (or any for that matter) reports of copper vs. aluminum gas check affects on gun barrels yet...

BYW; I get my checks from Blammer and the cost is much better than retail.

[trixter]

soliloquies. That's a big word. Kind of like "Grasshopper".

I know, I had to use the spell check and check it twice.

[runfiverun]

unless you push things fairly hard the proper fitting aluminum ones will work just fine.
I found once you get over about 1900 fps or so the copper ones do perform better.
338 mag is in the vendor section and sells the aluminum ones.