Gas check or not to gas check……

[plumber]

I'm getting me a 44mag, so I'll need to start casting for it. Here's the million dollar question, when do I need a gascheck? I use a checked mold for my .357 (358156) but I noticed there are non checked molds for both. Are the checks really nessessary, or am I wasting copper?

[Lead Fred]

Under 1400fps No GC needed
Over 1400FPS, good Idea.

There are many exceptions to this.

I shoot 400 gr RN out of my 45-70 using 40gr Reloader 7 @ 1650-1670fps
Between the powder charge and boolit I put a .030 veggie wad and a bit of dacron filler to take up space.

I have been blessed with this load, its dead on, has very good penetration, and leave zero lead behind. The veggie wad must be doing the trick.
None of the filler had any burn evidence at all.

[beagle]

You're wasting copper. IMO./beagle

[mooman76]

I have a 44mag and I don't us GCs and have no problems.

[Bret4207]

GC's make things easier. As was said when you cross the 13-1400 fps area (sometimes lower or higher) GC's come in real handy unless you enjoy tinkering with things to get perfect fit, balanced load, etc.

[JIMinPHX]

I start looking for gas checks above 1200fps in a revolver & above 1600fps in a rifle. That's just me though. I haven't done enough experimenting with the crossover point to have a real firm opinion about it.

[Hickory]

IMHO, gas checks allow you to cast and use a
softer boolit, along with driving at a higher velocity.

[Shuz]

As long as your alloy is Bhn 11 or more, and the boolit fits properly, gas checks aren't needed in a .44 mag. At the price they want for them these days, plus the extra effort required to put them in place, I figger it's time and money well spent making sure a boolit fits with out a check.

[plumber]

I use Lyman #2, and this will be just for plinking and aerating paper. Ill be shooting these out of a S&W 629 8 3/4" barrel. Help me select a mold.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Hullo Plumber, for the 44 mag or special for that matter, I find it hard to beat the lyman 429215 for plinking and paper, or game for that matter, I also like the
250gr Keith styles for hunting larger animals, RCBS seems to be making the better molds at this time compaired to Lyman, lots of folks having problems with the size of boolit dropped , I think their QC program has gone South.

If you go to the group buy threads, there are several molds to choose from at this time...they cost a little more, but they are worth it, especially if you are only going to have one mold......I can't make myself limit the # of molds I have, it's this durn disease.....cast boolits...good luck:mrgreen::castmine::Fire:

[jr545]

.... especially if you are only going to have one mold......


I tried and failed. I don't believe it's possible...