Gas check needed?

[2A-Jay]

I an wanting to start casting for my.40S&W. I have a hard Lead alloy (no idea what the BHN is and don't have a means to test it. A hard Lead Pencil will barely make a dent in the Ingot. Using Smokeless powder do I need to Gas Check the Cast Boolits? Being on a budget THe Lee Molds I can find on Midway are not Milled for Gas Checks. TIA

Jay

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I wouldn't think you'd need a GC. But you will likely want a alloy that is in the 14 to 16 range. A softer alloy will probably be ok for close range shooting, but you may notice groups getting larger when shooting beyond 50 yards, due to base deformation.

[sigep1764]

No gas check necessary. Until the velocity steps up over 1500 or so, which you won't will 40 SW, you should be good to go without.

[Winger Ed.]

No gas check necessary. Until the velocity steps up over 1500 or so,

That's always been my interpretation.
The need for a gas check is related to higher speeds, not looks.

[Wayne Smith]

As stated above - and if you get leading at the beginning of the barrel your boolit is to small, at the muzzle your lube quit too soon.

[fcvan]

I have been casting for 45 years but only started loading the 40 S&W a dozen years ago. I sized to 401 using Javalina lube and never had leading. No one told me that Glocks are supposed to lead badly and since I didn't know, I didn't tell my Glocks, so they never did lead up.

I started powder coating some years back and so the bore looks pristine all the time. The PC tightened up my groups, but I still have 3k rounds loaded with lubed lead. I plan on shooting and reloading with PC. My lead is generally range scrap which is relatively soft, and the PC gives it a tough shell. As far as molds go, I have two Lee molds, the 401-145 SWC and the 401-175 TC. My brother didn't really like the SWC mold to I pretty much cast the TC mold.

I almost bought a plain base checkmaker that uses soda can aluminum. After PC, i don't really make checks any more. I have a pain base slick sided NOE 225-62 RN for 223/5.56 that i am pushing to 2450 fps with PC, no check required. 40 is easy to load for, the OP sould have no problems.

[2A-Jay]

Thank you for the replies, I will give the Lee 2 cavity mold after all. I really hate taking the Hi-point apart for cleaning' It shoots well and if I can do my part it is very accurate at 25 yards. Using Cast Boolits will give me more shooting time at less cost eventually. Besides that I have fun casting.

[tryingalot]

I've had severe leading at a mere 950 fps in 9mm, and in .38 special at 1100 fps, so the 1500 fps claim is pretty far out there. That would need a very hard alloy, water tempering and a fantastic bullet lube.