345 DeSoto
Member
I plan on casting bullets that take a gas check. If I powder coat them, do I still need to gas check them? I've been reading up on powder coating cast bullets, but haven't seen anything on this...
To Gas Check or Not Gas Check
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ironworkerwill
Member
I'll add to that question if I may. How does the O.p.'s question relate to both rifle and pistol bullets?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Unless you plan to drive them at very high magnum handgun or rifle velocity's, there is no need for a gas check.
I have no experience with powder coating, but it is supposed to be pretty good at preventing leading at normal velocity's if all your other ducks are in a row with suitable hardness, size, etc.
rc
I have no experience with powder coating, but it is supposed to be pretty good at preventing leading at normal velocity's if all your other ducks are in a row with suitable hardness, size, etc.
rc
oldpapps
Member
If I powder coat them, do I still need to gas check them?
There are mixed views on this.
One grouping believes that the Powder Coating reduces the need to gas check to the point that it is a waste. I'm in this group.
The other group believes that the gas check is needed for: accuracy/leading/?
This view/my view is the bullet must be of the proper size and that is 1 to 3 thousands over diameter. The 'PC' should fully cover the contact areas with the barrel.
If you determine you want to gas check, don't size down too small.
A fella, I trust, on another forum claims he has pushed 'PC' bullets to over 3200 FPS. That covers everything that I load.
Best advise from me, try both ways, experiment and let us know what you determine.
There are mixed views on this.
One grouping believes that the Powder Coating reduces the need to gas check to the point that it is a waste. I'm in this group.
The other group believes that the gas check is needed for: accuracy/leading/?
This view/my view is the bullet must be of the proper size and that is 1 to 3 thousands over diameter. The 'PC' should fully cover the contact areas with the barrel.
If you determine you want to gas check, don't size down too small.
A fella, I trust, on another forum claims he has pushed 'PC' bullets to over 3200 FPS. That covers everything that I load.
Best advise from me, try both ways, experiment and let us know what you determine.
345 DeSoto
Member
It's for my Carbine bullets, and they'll be at around 1,900 fps...more or less...
10 Spot Terminator
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Where the gas check really comes into play is that it allows you to use in many cases a softer alloy that can help in hunting bullet or hollowpoint bullet performance . Not sure how powder coating comes into play in this regard as havent tried it ( yet ) ...
plmitch
Member
I would recommend a gas check unless its a reduced load. Period.
I have had zero luck omitting gas checks. I can shoot reduced loads that don't foul without the gas check. But they don't group without the gas check. I suppose if you have the right equipment and know-how, you could modify your molds to remove the gas check shank. Or order a custom flat-base mold.
41 Mag
Member
I have been loosely following the PC threads, and heaven forbid even considering it for a few uses. (like I need something else to piddle with)
From what I understand, it would depend on how your coating your bullets. If you are getting a 100% coating then you can push some alloys to higher velocities without using the check. That said however, the softer you go the more issues your going to have. Most who I see still adding the check are using pretty soft alloy, but are being able to push them a bit faster with the aid of the coating.
Hope that makes sense.
From what I understand, it would depend on how your coating your bullets. If you are getting a 100% coating then you can push some alloys to higher velocities without using the check. That said however, the softer you go the more issues your going to have. Most who I see still adding the check are using pretty soft alloy, but are being able to push them a bit faster with the aid of the coating.
Hope that makes sense.
USSR
Member
345 DeSoto,
I have been casting and shooting my lead, non-gaschecked, non-powdercoated .30 Carbine bullets at full power for years. All you need to do is use a hard alloy. Mine has a BHN in the range of linotype. Another option is to use an alloy consisting of COWW's and either water drop the bullets or heat treat them. Hope that helps.
Don
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loose noose
Member
In my 30-30, 150grn. I'm getting about 2200fps, and I allways use a gas check to keep the accuracy standard up, and the leading almost non existent, using a #2 lead, along with the 30-06 150grn, and 175grn.
I've also used a gc on my 45-70 using the 405grn bullet hitting very close to 2200fps.(Marlin Guide Gun) Also note I use nothing but a hard lube on the bullets.
I haven't tried the powder coating as of yet, but so far I've had pretty good luck just using the gas check and the hard lube.
I've also used a gc on my 45-70 using the 405grn bullet hitting very close to 2200fps.(Marlin Guide Gun) Also note I use nothing but a hard lube on the bullets.
I haven't tried the powder coating as of yet, but so far I've had pretty good luck just using the gas check and the hard lube.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I have been buying 165gr Cast bullets from Missouri Bullets for loading 30-30 ammo. They are reported @18 BHN and are plain base bullets. i have pushed then to just under 1800 fps and have seen no leading at all. Most time I only push them to 1440 fps using H4895 because that load is very accurate. Point is, if the bullet is on the harder side and fits the bore well you won't get leading.
How hard are the bullets you're casting? Do they fit your bore correctly? @1900 fps you are, IMO, right on the edge of the velocity cap unless your bullets are harder than 18 BHN. If they are harder and you powder coat them I highly doubt you will need to use gas checks.
How hard are the bullets you're casting? Do they fit your bore correctly? @1900 fps you are, IMO, right on the edge of the velocity cap unless your bullets are harder than 18 BHN. If they are harder and you powder coat them I highly doubt you will need to use gas checks.
Swampman
Old Fart
I haven't used the powder coating process as of yet, but I have noticed some accuracy differences between PB and GC loads.
In rifle loads, even at subsonic velocities, I've found that I get better, more consistent accuracy with checks. It also does away with 90% of my flyers. As long as the bullets are sized correctly and lubed well I get no leading with either base type.
With handgun loads I don't see much difference unless I'm shooting high pressure .44 Mag loads with H110/W296, if I don't put GC's on them, I get lousy accuracy AND leading.
In rifle loads, even at subsonic velocities, I've found that I get better, more consistent accuracy with checks. It also does away with 90% of my flyers. As long as the bullets are sized correctly and lubed well I get no leading with either base type.
With handgun loads I don't see much difference unless I'm shooting high pressure .44 Mag loads with H110/W296, if I don't put GC's on them, I get lousy accuracy AND leading.
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