Problems with gas checks, coated boolits and sizing

[brewer12345]

I have had a lot of frustration trying to size boolits I have powder coated and snapped a check on. Even with frequent cleaning of my Lee push through dies I end up tearing up the coating or mangling the gas check on 10 to 25% of them. If I don't clean up the die frequently I scrape the coating down to the bare lead pretty quickly. I don't know what is going on, but it is pretty frustrating as I would like to have checked, coated boolits for my rifle loads. Do I need to put the checks on, lube the boolits with something, then size? What would you use to lube them so as not to ruin the coating?

[high standard 40]

I seat gaschecks first, then powder coat, then size and load. I don't have any problems using this method.

[AndyC]

I end up tearing up the coating or mangling the gas check on 10 to 25% of them
That's annoying.

How slick is the inside surface of the Lee die? I'm wondering whether there's some roughness there that needs to be polished out.

[brewer12345]

When you say you seat them first, you mean snap them on or fully crimp?

[brewer12345]

That's annoying.

How slick is the inside surface of the Lee die? I'm wondering whether there's some roughness there that needs to be polished out.

They seem to be very slick. Haven't had an issue with tumble lubed GC boolits or non-checked powder coated boolits.

[Evoken]

Perhaps the PC on the check area is to thick? Maybe try sizing them check first? Otherwise I don't see why you couldn't try some spray on sizing, I should not hurt properly cured PC.

[mdi]

I would suspect your PC and/or your PCing methods, I have cast, PCed, gas checked in Lee sizing dies many 429244 bullets. No problems. I also have done a few Lee 309-150-f gas checked, no problems. I have PCed then installed gas checks, a little tight but so far not a huge problem...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?184-Coatings-and-Alternatives

[high standard 40]

When you say you seat them first, you mean snap them on or fully crimp?

Crimp

[brewer12345]

I would suspect you PC and/or your PCing methods, I have cast, PCed, gas checked in Lee sizing dies many 429244 bullets. No problems. I also have done a few Lee 309-150-f gas checked, no problems. I have PCed then installed gas checks, a little tight but so far not a huge problem...

Could be. I use smoke's powder, follow his instructions, use an oven thermometer to verify temps, the boolits pass the smash test, and I get no leading at all when I use them.

[onelight]

Are you getting the gas check all the way on before you size it ?

[Geezer in NH]

Do you size gas check end first?

[brewer12345]

Gas check is all the way on as far as I can tell. Size nose through the die first. Since some of these are round nose I think that is the only way, but for the flat nose would it make a difference to put the check through the die first?

[onelight]

I like the GC fully seated before I run it through the sizer. If the GC is cocked it may cause you bullet to try to enter the die crooked and scrape the powder coat or it may not fully seat . I have a dead blow rubber hammer I use if they are a little hard to seat , if the are really hard to seat I use a small ball peen hammer ball end and tap into the GC with another hammer or anything close that is round to flare the gas check so it will seat. Even a ball bearing or a marble just want to open it a tiny bit.

[cwlongshot]

This is what I do;

https://youtu.be/mqVbI7L-4_U

Also back when you powder coat. Ya need to sift the heck outta the bullets!!! Ya want to remove all and any excess powder BEFORE backing. I have had very good luck in all but a few of my GC molds.

Good luck

CW

[onelight]

CW that is nice much simpler than my method . Helpful video.

[Targa]

I have been using the NOE gas check seater that cwlongshot posted. It works very well.

[charlie b]

Since you have sized other PC bullets successfully then it is this bullet that is the issue? And, you have sized other bullets with this sizing die? If so...

How much are you trying to size the bullet? You may just be trying to size it too much. I size and crimp on the GC prior to powder coating. Then size again after PC.

[AndyC]

I would like to have checked, coated boolits for my rifle loads
What alloy are you using?

[brewer12345]

Let's see:

- more than one bullet mold has issues
- The bullets are not being sized down more than 1 or 2 thousandths
- Alloy is typically AC COWW with some tin added

I hadn't thought of sizing first, putting the check on and running it through again.

[mehavey]

I haven't much ever had such a problem.

But if/when I ever do....
276676
I'd use IMPERIAL Sizing wax.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Even with frequent cleaning of my Lee push through dies I end up tearing up the coating or mangling the gas check on 10 to 25% of them. If I don't clean up the die frequently I scrape the coating down to the bare lead pretty quickly.

Aluminum GC?

What are you cleaning out of the die?

I wonder if your die is getting aluminum galling?

once your die is clean, I would get some case sizing lube on my fingers, and just touch the GC edges on all the boolits...then go to town...if the issue is Aluminum galling, the tinyest bit of lube will help a lot.

[brewer12345]

Seems to happen with both aluminum and copper checks.

[derek45]

This is what I do;

https://youtu.be/mqVbI7L-4_U

Also back when you powder coat. Ya need to sift the heck outta the bullets!!! Ya want to remove all and any excess powder BEFORE backing. I have had very good luck in all but a few of my GC molds.

Good luck

CW

very nice

.