Lyman 357 Gas checks/ Lyman #358146 Boolit

[Leadmelter]

I got out of this mold (2Cav) and made a bunch of bullets. I picked up an Ideal mold of the same boolit (4Cav). I still have a lot of 358 Lyman gas checks but prefer Horandy. I want to use up some of Lyman for space. Any trick to lube and keep the gas check on?
It has been a while since I used this set-up. I have the Lyman gas check tool and the NOE gas check tool and chamfer.
Ready to get going with this.
Leadmelter
MI

[Low$John]

Or is that 358156, guessing?

[Hanshi]

I've never tried gas checks on bullets with plain bases. I have some very good loads - .357 & .44 - that require them. I also have quite a few loads in those calibers for plain based slugs. Seemed the gc was only needed for loads above about 1250 fps. 358156 is a very good bullet.

[9.3X62AL]

I have not tried to apply gas checks to castings lacking the reduced shank meant to support them, nor have I tried shooting shanked castings meant for gas checks without checks in place. Not very imaginative, I know.

Not all GC shanks are a perfect fit for gas checks meant to fit them. Lyman castings in 30/31 and 35 caliber using Hornady checks are the usual suspects in this misdemeanor. The little gas check flaring tools sold by NOE are a godsend--these give the Hornady (and similar) checks meant to be crimped into place a gentle taper to ease seating and have eliminated bad crimps and seating misalignment when I am processing bullets that use gas checks.

I am a huge fan of Lyman #358156 in the 357 Magnum revolvers and leverguns. My Henry steel-frame Big Boy in 357 Magnum feeds these without a hitch, and shoots them very well--even when run past 1800 FPS. In a rifle, I think a flatnose 180-190 grain gas-checked casting does better work at distances past 75 yards, but in my Ruger Bisley Blackhawk I have prompted #358156 past the 1500 FPS mark and it remains accurate at 50 yards (rested). So far, the Henry's 20" barrel adds about 350-400 FPS to the velocity provided by the 7.5" Blackhawk's barrel; same story with the 30 Carbine BH/rifle differential, and the 44 Magnum (Ruger Redhawk x 5.5" and 20" Win/Miroku 92).