Gas checks don't fit!

[black44hawk]

I am sure everyone has experienced this tragedy: you use a new mold for the first time only to find later that the gas checks don't fit. I am dealing with this problem on a RCBS 145 sil. cast boolit, the GC shank of which is too large for my Hornady GC's. Currently I am using a crudely modified punch and hammer to flare the GC's. Does anyone know who makes a product that would produce more uniform results than my hammer and punch?

[NVcurmudgeon]

black44hawk, I have to use the punch technique for my favorite Lyman 314299 mould. One thing that makes it a lot easier is to anneal the GC first. See the sticky on the "classics and stickies" page. After annealing I use a punch made from a VW fuel pump push rod (anything 8 mm or 5/16" will work) with a large wooden knob on top to expand the GC a little. I keep a large paper grocery bag handy and put both hands inside the bag to flip the GC off the punch with a small screwdriver without having to chase the little blighters all over the shop. Some casters have said that a proper size ball bearing and gently used hammer will work too. My guess is that there is lot to lot variation in moulds and GC.

[cbrick]

Several years ago I gave up trying to get checks to fit, just too much variation in all the different moulds and forcing the checks on shaved lead and crimped the check on crooked. I size all checks first now and I started with a punch just like your doing.

Since then I've come up with a gas check sizing tool made from Lyman "M" dies and works in the Rock Chucker press. An RCBS extended shell holder faced flat is the anvil and the same set up works for all calibers. The Lyman plug is turned to proper diameter and only a new plug is needed for each caliber.

I don't know of any commercial tools like this and I don't know if there would be enough interest to make it a viable commercial project. It does add time to loading but all my checks slip on easily with no lead shaving and fit flat and square to the bullet base and crimp on tight, well worth it to me. A lot of people anneal the checks so they will bend easier when pushing them on but this was my solution. I don't anneal first, just size them.

On the left is the various parts, on the right it's assembled.



Rick

[nicholst55]

Saved this page to my hard drive! I'm in the process right now of packing up all of my toys to put them into storage for a few years. I'm going overseas for Uncle in a couple of weeks, but I intend to put this into to good use upon my return.

Assuming that I can still get lead then, of course.

[Nueces]

Take care of yourself, Sir, and thanks for helping to take care of all of us.

Mark
LtCol, USAFR (Retired)

[Slowpoke]

I am sure everyone has experienced this tragedy: you use a new mold for the first time only to find later that the gas checks don't fit. I am dealing with this problem on a RCBS 145 sil. cast boolit, the GC shank of which is too large for my Hornady GC's. Currently I am using a crudely modified punch and hammer to flare the GC's. Does anyone know who makes a product that would produce more uniform results than my hammer and punch?

Buckshot can fix you up right.

A couple years ago I had him make me check expander tools that work in a loading press, for .22 .30 and .35

Same princible as CB Ricks only the anvil screws into the press and the check expanders snap into the shell holder slot.

good luck

[Alchemist]

Saved this page to my hard drive! I'm in the process right now of packing up all of my toys to put them into storage for a few years. I'm going overseas for Uncle in a couple of weeks, but I intend to put this into to good use upon my return.

Good luck to you and take care. Thank you for serving!

Assuming that I can still get lead then, of course.

If you have trouble getting lead upon your return, contact me and I'll do what I can to help.

Curt
MSgt USAF (Ret)

[beagle]

It's pretty easy to remove the expander plug from a M die and turn a long 10-32 screw head to expand the GCs and fit it in place of the expander plug.

Then, a flat piece of metal over the ram and you can expand them pretty quickly in a single stage press.

I had my machinist buddy make me several blank shell holders and use these as "anvils". Works pretty fast./beagle