Shooters

Is there a good alternative for using gas checks, I shoot a 30/30 using IMR 3031 powder and I do nto use gas checks, is there a wad/padding I can use, so I do not have to use gas checks?

Thanks

Clint

There use to be an outfit that sold "soft" gas checks which were basicly thin wax sheets. You thumbed the sheet over the top of the case after it was filled with powder cutting a small disc with the case, then seating a bullet on top of it.

Care should be taken to avoid an airspace between the wax "disc" and the bullet. Let the bullet push the disc down as you seat the bullet.

Regards

Headstamp

azcoyhunter--Many say the gas check is to prevent the base from melting. I don't buy that at all. Reason,if you very quickly pass something through a cutting torch,you don't get melting. The time it's exposed to the flame if you are passing it through by hand is HUGE in comparison to how long a bullet is in your barrel. Adding a wad can make drastic changes in pressure and is an area I have not played with. From your handle, do you shoot coyotes with them? Have you tried .22 cast bulets?

Thanks Headstamp
and carpetman

For the Info.

I do shoot Coyotes with my 30/30 and with my 7x57, but my 30/30 I try to use cast and I keep hearing gas checks, and it just seems like something else to buy/experiment with.

I like the idea of wads, but do not know much about it.

I use Lee 150 gr cast bullets, I have found I do not have alot of accuracy, could be me, but I think it is the bullet, Mabey I should try a bigger bullet? I do not have a 22 cal rifle, but was thinking about a 22/250 for killing more fawn killers.

Clint

Evening Clint!
Thanks for the reply on the PM.
I seat gas checks with my Lee sizing die. I like the idea of not deforming the bullet from the front.
You may want to stay away from wads for awhile. Keep trying different seating depths.
BTW I size .309" for my .30-30.
Rich

.........If your bullet is designed for a GC, then unless you're shooting very light loads with a very soft alloy, you should use them. In the 30-30 you can easily obtain normal condom (Full Length Gascheck, otherwise know as jacketed) velocities and trajectory.

If you don't have a Lube-sozer, then as Rich posted, by all means use the Lee push through type. Be sure the GC is square on the base before sizing. Form there (with the right alloy) it's, "Hello 2000 fps".

.........Buckshot

Hey Buckworth urr uhh Whitshot whoever you are--was wondering if you remove the gas check shank from a mold,would that be a cancelled check?

AZ
I have shot many hundreds of that 150 Lee with a 03A3 at 1750 fps with a gas check. That old 2-groove will thump clay birds set out at the 100 yd line if I do it right. Got to be the most fun when I was standing there at the club one day and my friend was sighting in his custom 6mm screamer he had put together and asked me what I was doing standing shooting a O3 with cast bullets. I didn't answer him and just fired the next round and as luck would have it, a scrap 2x4 block jumped into the air at 100 yds. He just said, "Well I'll be D----." Nuff said for gas checks. Just use 'em. Captain

........Carpetman, "Hey Buckworth urr uhh Whitshot whoever you are--was wondering if you remove the gas check shank from a mold,would that be a cancelled check?"

Very good :-)! Except now everyone has to pull up every post and skim to be sure they aren't missing any "Carpetman-isms".

........Buckshot

I've used the wax sheets, SoftCheks??. Bullet has to be of PB design and has to be seated far enough forward so the wax will stay in the neck of bottle necked cartridges. Seems to give another couple of hundred fps of accuracy with PB bullets.

Downside is that it will melt and kill your powder charge in summer heat.

The soft gas checks are from CF Ventures. Might also try John Walters vegetable fiber wads. Both on the web. Also may have better luck in the 30-30 with a 170-190gr cast. Many times at medium velocities, the heavies work better.

I haave not used it yet, but this sounds like a classic case to try dropping the charge down a bit, and filling the case with enough shot buffer (from Ballisticast)to slightly compress upon bullet seating, and working the load up from there. - Lew