Aluminum Gas Checks

[5thSFGroup]

I recently purchased a .454 Casull, 260 grain bullet mold from Magma. This is to be used in a Freedom Arms pistol. Hornady gas checks do not fit. I contacted Magma and was advised that Gator Checks were the only ones that worked in that mold. I contacted Gator and was advised by the owner that his checks were the same size as Hornady and he did not expect his to work either but sent me some samples to give it a try. They do not fit either.

I have contacted Magma about this again.The gas check end of the round is .430.
In the mean while, I contacted Sages and he is sending me some aluminum checks that should fit that size bullet.

Have any of you had success with an aluminum gas check? I know that aluminum burns up easily but it really does not have to last that long in the process.

 

[grubbylabs]

They do just as well in my AR as the others.

 

[41 Mag]

I don't have any first hand experience with them yet, but I do have a bunch I want to play with.

That said, there are plenty of folks over on Castboolits using them in a wide variety of firearms, so they must work well enough, or they would have put them down quick.

 

[35 Whelen]

I made my own die to punch out my own aluminum checks, and have since used quite a lot of them. I don't have an exact count, but I've fired probably a dozen High Power matches (90 +/- rounds each) with my K-31 and aluminum checked cast bullets, then load development in 303 Br, 30-06's and K-31 would account for a couple hundred more at least. The checks work wonderfully and bullets used with them have always been at least, if not a tiny bit more accurate than those that used copper checks.

35W

 

[5thSFGroup]

Thanks

Good info from all. Thank you for your rapid responses. Some aluminum checks just arrived and I will see if they fit. I was going to get some dies and start making my own with an Arbor press. I understand that flashing makes a good check.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've never used flashing, but hear it works great. I buy the aluminum "No Trespassing"/"Garage Sale" type sign. Last time I bought them they were $1.40 ea. and I can get a little over 500 .30 caliber checks out of one.

Good luck,
35W

 

[5thSFGroup]

just arrived

I just checked my mail. A package of aluminum gas checks just arrived from Sages for me to try out. I pressed one on without lube just to see if it fit. It does fit...loosely and can be pulled off the bullet with a finger nail but as I said, I had no lube on the bullet. I was just testing to see if it fit. Lube would hold it. My only concern is that it will still do its job fitting a little on the loose side. I was just glad to have a sample that fit.

 

[wgaynor]

I just started using gas checks. Worked up a load using them in my .30-.30 with a cast 170 grain bullet and imr4895. Worked great at 2000fps and 1 inch groups.

Bought them off ebay for pretty cheap.

I was concerned at first because I pressed it on with a finger and it came off easy. Once I applied them while sizing the bullet, they were on tight.

 

[FROGO207]

When you lube/size the bullet the gas check will be locked into place by the sizer press.

 

[5thSFGroup]

lube

I knew the lube would hold the check. My concern in the actual effectiveness of the aluminum. I have run down other info and am satisfied that the aluminum is good enough. Fired them today and they worked fine. Very clean

 

[FROGO207]

If you were worrying about the aluminum melting from hot gases why does CCI safely make casings out of it? Seems like a non issue to me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I recently purchased a .454 Casull, 260 grain bullet mold from Magma. This is to be used in a Freedom Arms pistol. Hornady gas checks do not fit. I contacted Magma and was advised that Gator Checks were the only ones that worked in that mold. I contacted Gator and was advised by the owner that his checks were the same size as Hornady and he did not expect his to work either but sent me some samples to give it a try. They do not fit either.

I have contacted Magma about this again.The gas check end of the round is .430.
In the mean while, I contacted Sages and he is sending me some aluminum checks that should fit that size bullet.

Have any of you had success with an aluminum gas check? I know that aluminum burns up easily but it really does not have to last that long in the process.

If Hornady and Gator gas checks won't fit on the bullets made with that Magma mold there is something wrong with the mold. (unless you are doing something wrong when casting the bullets) I would be very sure there is nothing wrong with the mold before you decide to keep it especially since molds are ~$90 each.

 

[5thSFGroup]

Magma

I have been in continual contact with Magma. The problem is definitely in the base size. As I stated, it is .430...I believe that the Hornady and Gator are .426 ( think I remembered that correctly). The aluminum checks sent by Sages went on fine. I am going to load a few and test fire them. To say the least, I am not happy with the mold right now. If the round produces accurate results, I will keep it...otherwise, it will go back.

A very experienced friend and I have checked the rounds and other than the larger than normal gas check base, they appear fine.