Gas check or no gas check?

[Rocket6R]

I plan to shoot a 300gr. to 335gr. LBT type bullet around 1200-1250 fps out of my .45 Colt Blackhawk. Does anyone have any comments regarding the use or need (pros/cons) of a gas check when shooting these slugs?

Thanks, Paul

[jmort]

The "rules" are more like "guidelines" and at 1,200 fps you should not need a gas check. Generally, gas check bullets are more accurate. Sounds like you have not ordered a mold yet. I would start with a plain base mold and use an inverted gas check if necessary.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?205223-Use-of-Gas-Checks-for-the-quot-Inverted-Loading-Method-quot

[Rocket6R]

I reload, but do not mold my own boolits. I plan on buying a good boolit from some of the major manufatures like Cast Performance. I will work up a load using H110.

Thanks, Paul

[daniel lawecki]

I personally in 30yrs of shooting have never used a gas check in any of my guns. I haven't shot single jacketed bullet in any of my revolvers or autoloaders.

[Good Cheer]

Sometimes they help, sometimes they don't.

[44man]

Don't need them but many boolits come with them. Cast Performance makes great boolits. If you buy, just use them.
I just make PB harder and have taken them well over 1800 fps in revolvers and to over 55,000 psi in the .454.
I make my own molds for the revolvers I have and make PB. I just water drop WW metal.
Many do not know what a GC is for. It is for softer lead to grip the rifling at the boolit base, stop skid and seal from gas.

[Changeling]

Don't need them but many boolits come with them. Cast Performance makes great boolits. If you buy, just use them.
I just make PB harder and have taken them well over 1800 fps in revolvers and to over 55,000 psi in the .454.
I make my own molds for the revolvers I have and make PB. I just water drop WW metal.
Many do not know what a GC is for. It is for softer lead to grip the rifling at the boolit base, stop skid and seal from gas.

Well said Jim. I especially like the last sentence.

[1Shirt]

Hart to beat the experience value of 44Man!
1Shirt!

[MtGun44]

Never found a need for GCs in pistols.

Bill

[rhead]

I have found that if a mould was designed for gas checks i get better accuracy by using gas checks. I usually get adequate accuracy without them but better with them.

I agree that they are not needed at pistol velocities.

[Larry Gibson]

If you cast hard then PB'd cast bullets shoot just fine upwards of 1400+ fps out of magnum revolvers. However, if you want magnum velocities (1200+ fps) with a softer alloy for improved terminal effects through expansion then a GC'd bullet is best. I drive some very soft cast GC'd bullets to 1400+ fps in my 357, 41 and .44 Magnums with the same excellent accuracy I get with hard cast PB'd cast bullets. The softer ones SWC or HP expand nicely and kill quicker. Not wanting to do again the hard cast vs HP debate; just stating why I use GC'd cast bullets in revolvers.

Larry Gibson

[MtGun44]

I have had excellent results with 8 BHN in .357 Mag at max loads with 358429 and 38-150-K with no leading. This was
just range scrap and I wondered what would happen. Nothing different than 12 BHN wwts. Can't remember whether I
tried it in .44 Mag at the moment, i'll have to check my records. But I shot about 20 groups or more from several different
pistols and all was fine.

Bill

[DanWalker]

I plan to shoot a 300gr. to 335gr. LBT type bullet around 1200-1250 fps out of my .45 Colt Blackhawk. Does anyone have any comments regarding the use or need (pros/cons) of a gas check when shooting these slugs?

Thanks, Paul
About the only thing I would add to the above suggestions is to back off on the velocity. It just isn't needed. Unless you're shooting elk, boolits in that weight class at 900-1000 fps will punch right through, and not beat you or your gun up. I once broke an aluminum gripframe(screws loosened under repeated recoil with heavy loads) with 320 grain boolits and stiff charges of 2400. My wrists pop and there is definately some damage there from years of shooting hard kicking handguns.

[gofastman]

I shoot properly fitting plain base bullets out of my .454 (think hot Colt +P level loads) with no problems

I really have had good luck with randyrat's TAC#1 lube

[44man]

If you cast hard then PB'd cast bullets shoot just fine upwards of 1400+ fps out of magnum revolvers. However, if you want magnum velocities (1200+ fps) with a softer alloy for improved terminal effects through expansion then a GC'd bullet is best. I drive some very soft cast GC'd bullets to 1400+ fps in my 357, 41 and .44 Magnums with the same excellent accuracy I get with hard cast PB'd cast bullets. The softer ones SWC or HP expand nicely and kill quicker. Not wanting to do again the hard cast vs HP debate; just stating why I use GC'd cast bullets in revolvers.

Larry Gibson
It is something to look at. You are correct in each caliber needing a different alloy for hunting with each caliber and the need for the GC. The GC is wonderful when needed.