Would i need gas checks??

04 May 2003, 11:33

<Win94>

Fellas, i am going to try some 250 grain lead bullets for my .38-55 If i make to maximum load which is 1692 fps according to hogdon data, would i need gas checks at this speed??

04 May 2003, 14:04

Paul Brasky

If your bore is unusually smooth and your CB alloy unusually hard you may get by without gas checks. However, for velocities over 1,600 fps, they're necessary. Try your CB first, and have plenty of "Chore Boy" and a bore brush handy just in case the experiment is less than successful.

04 May 2003, 15:20

Oldfeller

As a general statement, gas checks improve the accuracy of any rifle load at any speed compared to not using a gas check on the same load.

Exceptions to this general rule of thumb have to explain how they got the bullet base to be totally true and square and how they kept it from deforming under firing pressures.

Gas checks work better and are worth the expense to install and use on all rifle loads.

Oldfeller

05 May 2003, 02:55

aladin

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Marchand:
Fellas, i am going to try some 250 grain lead bullets for my .38-55 If i make to maximum load which is 1692 fps according to hogdon data, would i need gas checks at this speed??

Mark depends on the gun. Your first job is getting a good gas seal-- a wad fitting the case tight under the bullet base is the first place to start. There's several concepts-- the soft check otta wax, fillers of various flavors or a wad cut to fit the case tight. I use tablet backer in the 45/70 cutting them with a unsized case spun in a Lee case trimmer head. That's one way to effectively cut a few for a trial.. Remember using any filler changes the combustion area and effectively raises psi's for the same charge..

Your gun barrel and setup is gonna determine the results. Harder oversized slugs seated firm into the rifling is where I'd start. IME shooten the 06 with PB's the Unique/Blue Dot speeds worked better than the slower numbers-- why I can only guess obturation was quicker. I did not use any fillers or base protector's BTW.

I think if you've the inclination to experiment and some patience that project would be fun. Work it up slowly and accept what the specific gun will do.

05 May 2003, 14:50

<Win94>

bump