Has anyone ever tried using gas checks on plain base bullets? I have used gas checks on bullets designed for them many times over the years that I have been reloading, but what about using a gas check on a plain base bullet? could'nt you place a gas check upside down under a plain base bullet and get the same effect?
The bullet that I want to try only comes in a plain base, and I don't want to go thru the expense of having a custom mold made and then find out that the bullet won't shoot well etc.
Mike

Hmmm, that could only work with straight cased shells, or with rifles if the bullet base stayed in the neck. I'd be worried about the loose gas check dissrupting the flight of the bullet after it all left the muzzle. It may even protect the base of the bullet better being upside down, acting like a wad in a shotshell. I dunno, try it and let us know how it worked!

It has been done and some people claim success. Mustafa Curtess, who has penned many articles for The Fouling Shot, uses inverted checks for many straight wall cartridges. I tried it a very few times and saw no benefit in my particular loads.

If you do try it, be aware that the unattached gas checks are hard on chronographs.

In a very few cases, you might be able to swage on a larger caliber check, i.e., a 50 Hornady check on a 458 plain base, or a 40-41 Gator on a 375 plain base, but there's no complelling reason to do so since there are plenty of gas check bullets available.

Add to the list the 44 Hornady check on 10 mm plain base.

To swage on an oversize check, you will need a better-than-average sizing die, with a smooth, tapered entrance that is wide enough to get the oversize check started. Or you might need to size it in increments, i.e., first a 0.430" die, then a 0.411" die, and finally a 0.401" die.

I tried to use a 35 cal gas check on a plain base buller for my 348 that cast to dia. of 350. I had no luck at all in this. I had good luck in sizing a 358 bullet with the 35 gas check down to .349 for the 348, howerever it was not as accurate as I had hoped. So I aquired a bullet mold for the 348 that takes the gas check and cured the problem and fire both, with the plain base at slower speed. And I can tell you that gas checks do come off bullets that are designed for them, and will damage the chronograph, as it cost me $16.00 to replace the readout from a gas check striking it. I have made me a clear plastic cover for it app 1/2 in thick to keep it from hapening again.

I can't remember the details, but some time back I read about a process that made gas checks out of old soda cans and could be put on any bullet. Any one have more details on what I am talking about.

Robin

Well, I tried it. On a .454C and 45 colt placed the GC upside down behind the bullet, seated the bullet and they all fired fine. The one load with the .454 was even more accurate with the GC then without. I had to run the GC through the resizer before they would seat in the case. That was the only problem.
Mike

quote:

Originally posted by popenmann:
(sic)

If you do try it, be aware that the unattached gas checks are hard on chronographs.

(sic)

.475" gas check @ 1400 fps was the demise of my chronograph

I never did extensive enough testing with the inverted checks under plainbase bullets to see if there was a benefit. If you're looking for high velocity loads w/o leading it's worth trying.

Based on my chrono, I'd say you don't have to worry about the gas checks seperating from the bullet.

quote:

Has anyone ever tried using gas checks on plain base bullets?

I have done it and continue to do it. I cast a 358429 HP for my 357 which is plainbase, but i want a gascheck so i can run the bullet up to maximum velocity. To do this I simply made a "punch" with a beveled end that i set on the mouth of a gascheck and tap with a hammer. This procedure flares the gascheck so a plainbase bullet will sit in it. I then put the modified check into my lubrisizer, put the plainbase bullet on the check, and run both through the sizer. The gas check sort of swages itself onto the base of the bullet. This method has worked flawlessly for me time after time and the bullets shoot great.
35W