Some Gas Check Knowledge please

[milprileb]

I am considering the eventual trek into making my own gas checks so I would like to know production cost. Setting aside the $100 outlay for gear (or thereabouts), what is the price per gas check using this aluminum siding material. Are they
running 1 cent a piece or less ? I do not consider time in the equation, I am just wondering if anyone has a focus on costs to make gas checks.

Seems to me, before I leap into this, I ought to ask you guys this cost question as its a base line factor in my decision to invest into this "new horizon" of making bullets.

Not even thinking of what tool to get yet, just wanting to get a grip on costs for making gas checks and thinking this through .

Your comments greatly appreciated.

PS: seems to me this kind of data ought to be on a vendors site as it justifies the cost of investing into gas check tooling . If I
were making this tool set, I would lay that out as it would validate why making your own , saves you some money.

[kbstenberg]

I have only made 30 cal, and am in the process of making 7mm. Both out of aluminum I got in a roll (4" by 50') from Ace Hdwr. The cost was 19$. I made approximately 7K -30cal and am planning on using up the rest of my roll about 10K -7mm.
After I make what I figure will last My life I sell the one I have and get the next size I need.
As to the tool I use. I can only speak concerning the Freechex. For comments go to the stickies and read what others think of them.
Kevin

[milprileb]

Sir, Thank you for your reply, very informative. I am thinking 30 cal. gas checks so if I read your data correctly, a roll of flash material would yield about 20,000 gas checks ( am mere 3 yr supply) for about $20 in material costs. If my math is correct thats 10 checks for a penny for 30 caliber checks.

That is good math. Hornady 30 cal checks will run me about $25 C&R discount price at Grafs and thats for 1000 checks. I break even if I make 4000 checks in tool cost investment and am $100 ahead by my next 4000 checks home made . After that, I am just way ahead and never have a "Out of Stock" supply issue anymore.

Seems to me , this is worth getting into.

[tjones]

Your thinking is correct. I sold my 500S&W FCIII for what I paid for it. The material was hard to find, .020 half hard aluminum. I'll likely never shoot all I made. The 8mm tool I actually paid $120 total used, but did see one go for as much as $235 at auction. Many tools sell used higher than the first offering. They're just not so common. I suggest known material from yonky or other suppliers here on this site. tj

[milprileb]

So, aluminum flashing material from Ace Hardware won't do ? I should contact Yonky? Is he in vendor area or should I scroll in search for his name ?

Sorry, this is a new world for me so my basic grasp of all factors in this check making option is nil. I want to know what I am getting into before I get into it. Discovery learning can be expensive !

[tjones]

LATHERUNER: The other source likely similar to yonky's material. Not tried his but posts seem positive. tj

[milprileb]

So, aluminum flashing material from Ace Hardware won't do ?

[tjones]

It depends on the shank of your bullet. Many swear by it. It varies in thickness on the same roll, take a micrometer with you. The latest tools seem to be spec'd for .015 material in 30 cal. Shank shank shank.... Samples of yonky's are dead on as indicated and size nicely.

[tjones]

Try PatMarlins checkmaker on ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Patmarlins-Checkmaker-Gas-Check-Forming-Dies-in-35-Caliber-/250990667045?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7035a525#ht_4852wt_1116

[Mugs]

I was one of the first to stumble on the Ace .014 using it in a PatMarlin .30 cal. tool and it works great. I've also had good luck with it in .357. For 7MM the .014 had no grip, went to Latherunners .016 and it works great. You just about have to know shank size to know what material to use. My .357 and 7MM were made by arjacobson, he makes a great tool of the FC III design. Take a look at his postings and you can see his check tool.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[tjones]

How much denaro?

[Mugs]

The ones he made me were $80 plus shipping.
Mugs

[tjones]

Looks like he's 10 miles east of me I'll need to check him out when up in Prescott.