Aluminum Gas Checks
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Ed Ames
Member
I'd be worried about galling.
ReloaderFred
Member
They don't gall. There are hundreds of shooters using them on the CB Forum, and they've had no problem at all with barrel wear.
As to the OP's question, if they're made properly, they'll clamp on the base of the bullet just like copper checks do.
Hope this helps.
Fred
As to the OP's question, if they're made properly, they'll clamp on the base of the bullet just like copper checks do.
Hope this helps.
Fred
shootniron
Member
They work great!
35 Whelen
Member
My opinion, based on the use of several hundred in .30 caliber, is that properly marketed they could EASILY obsolete and replace copper checks.
I initially made mine using a Free Chex tool but eventually made my own press mounted/operated die. I shot hundreds of them on .30 caliber cast bullets in High Power matches. Not only do the clamp properly to the base of bullets I find bullets using aluminum checks equally if not a hair more accurate than those using copper checks.
35W
I initially made mine using a Free Chex tool but eventually made my own press mounted/operated die. I shot hundreds of them on .30 caliber cast bullets in High Power matches. Not only do the clamp properly to the base of bullets I find bullets using aluminum checks equally if not a hair more accurate than those using copper checks.
35W
Sunray
Member
Galling is loss is surface metal through adhesion. Very much doubt it'd be an issue. No law suits over it.
Given the current cost of copper, I kind of suspect 35 Whelen's opinion is right.
Given the current cost of copper, I kind of suspect 35 Whelen's opinion is right.
P51D
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Let me ask it another way.
Aluminum is softer than steel, so I doubt there will be much to worry about regarding barrel wear. Here is my question, and I apologize to the OP if this is a hi-jack.
But I ask this: Will the aluminum deposit upon the barrel? That is what fouling is, right?
Aluminum is softer than steel, so I doubt there will be much to worry about regarding barrel wear. Here is my question, and I apologize to the OP if this is a hi-jack.
But I ask this: Will the aluminum deposit upon the barrel? That is what fouling is, right?
Jesse Heywood
Member
Aluminum can deposit on the barrel, similar to the way copper does. This is fouling. It should remove with a brush & solvent.
Galling is where two metals in contact weld together under pressure and/or heat. Most common occurrence is in threads.
Galling is where two metals in contact weld together under pressure and/or heat. Most common occurrence is in threads.
Ed Ames
Member
A lot of misinformation here.
Galling is when metal transfers from one part to another in a moving system, due to friction and adhesion. It is the primary mechanism of metal fouling in firearms barrels. "Lead fouling" and "lead galling" are basically interchangeable terms, when used to describe lead bonded to the surface of a barrel's rifling.
Aluminum, especially soft aluminum, is very susceptible to galling when moving in contact with steel.
I am not saying it cannot work. After all, many car engines nowadays have aluminum cylinders. It would be my concern though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galling
Galling is when metal transfers from one part to another in a moving system, due to friction and adhesion. It is the primary mechanism of metal fouling in firearms barrels. "Lead fouling" and "lead galling" are basically interchangeable terms, when used to describe lead bonded to the surface of a barrel's rifling.
Aluminum, especially soft aluminum, is very susceptible to galling when moving in contact with steel.
I am not saying it cannot work. After all, many car engines nowadays have aluminum cylinders. It would be my concern though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galling
ReloaderFred
Member
Like I said, hundreds, if not more, shooters on the CB Forum have been shooting aluminum gas checks for years, and it hasn't been a problem. I've only shot about 500 of the ones I made, but again, I found no problems with them. They work the same as copper checks do.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
P51D
Member
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- Aug 28, 2008
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- 246
Al gas checks
Thanks, Fred and Ed. E Rex, I don't mean to hi-jack and I'll stop here and start my own post unless you chime in and OK, but I think you may have similar questions.
ReloaderFred - in your experience, do the alum. g.c. leave no trace, or do you see some fouling that needs to be removed?
Sweets and other bore cleaner do a pretty good job on copper. What cleans Al, if it fouls?
I have an Outers Foul Out system that definitely remove copper and lead when required. Anything like that for Al, or is just not an issue? P51D, Out.
Thanks, Fred and Ed. E Rex, I don't mean to hi-jack and I'll stop here and start my own post unless you chime in and OK, but I think you may have similar questions.
ReloaderFred - in your experience, do the alum. g.c. leave no trace, or do you see some fouling that needs to be removed?
Sweets and other bore cleaner do a pretty good job on copper. What cleans Al, if it fouls?
I have an Outers Foul Out system that definitely remove copper and lead when required. Anything like that for Al, or is just not an issue? P51D, Out.
35 Whelen
Member
As I mentioned up the list, I've fired hundreds of them in High Power matches. To put it in perspective, a match consists of 80 fired rounds, plus sighters, which usually run anywhere from 6 to 8.
That said in a given match I would fire close to 90 cast bullets aluminum gas checks running around 1500 fps. During the match I'd usually pull a Bore Snake through the barrel to remove powder fouling, but other than that the bore wouldn't be touched for close to 90 rounds. There was NEVER a trace of any metal fouling when I'd get home and clean the bore. I'm not saying aluminum won't foul a bore, I'm just saying it didn't mine.
Regarding the Foul Out system, it doesn't car what type fouling it removes. It's simply an electroplating process that draws the metal out of the bore and to the electrode or rod.
35W
That said in a given match I would fire close to 90 cast bullets aluminum gas checks running around 1500 fps. During the match I'd usually pull a Bore Snake through the barrel to remove powder fouling, but other than that the bore wouldn't be touched for close to 90 rounds. There was NEVER a trace of any metal fouling when I'd get home and clean the bore. I'm not saying aluminum won't foul a bore, I'm just saying it didn't mine.
Regarding the Foul Out system, it doesn't car what type fouling it removes. It's simply an electroplating process that draws the metal out of the bore and to the electrode or rod.
35W
ReloaderFred
Member
My experience has been with handgun rounds in .357 and .44 calibers, since those are the ones I have the CheckMaker dies for. I've noticed no fouling at all in any of my handguns they've been fired through. As far as I'm concerned, they're pretty much the same as copper gas checks, only cheaper to make.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
GP100man
Member
I had a mold for 44 & the gc shank was a bit small , after installing a copper check you could spin it , the aluminum check has crinkles on it`s edges & when installed they seemed titer & recovered boolits from the berm had all the aluminum 1s still on .
What affects fit s shank size & aluminum thickness used to make the checks, so in my case if needed I could have used thicker for a titer grip if needed, thus eliminating some custom mold work.
As far as fouling , I`ve looked & after shooting 429215 at higher fps to 310 gr at not so fast fps I saw very little with a bore scope a lot less metal transfer than using jacketed .
My Redhawk has been set up for lead , 11 degree forcing cone ,All throats exactly .4315", fire lapped to relieve a small thread choke & then polished with jb bore paste.
I used to be able to shoot better than the Redhawk , but these days the Redhawk is kiking my butt!!!!
GP
What affects fit s shank size & aluminum thickness used to make the checks, so in my case if needed I could have used thicker for a titer grip if needed, thus eliminating some custom mold work.
As far as fouling , I`ve looked & after shooting 429215 at higher fps to 310 gr at not so fast fps I saw very little with a bore scope a lot less metal transfer than using jacketed .
My Redhawk has been set up for lead , 11 degree forcing cone ,All throats exactly .4315", fire lapped to relieve a small thread choke & then polished with jb bore paste.
I used to be able to shoot better than the Redhawk , but these days the Redhawk is kiking my butt!!!!
GP
Jesse Heywood
Member
From what GP says, it sounds like the aluminum residue is melted and pushed out the bore with the following round. Aluminum does not like to bond with steel, where copper does. That is why copper fouling is hard to remove from the bore. Aluminum, when in contact with steel, will eventually create a galvanic corrosion, which is sped up when water is introduced. I would make this an issue with guns unless the barrel went uncleaned for several months.
I would not recommend shooting aluminum gas checks in a bore fouled with copper. Aluminum loves to bond with copper.
I would not recommend shooting aluminum gas checks in a bore fouled with copper. Aluminum loves to bond with copper.
TexasDon
Member
I have and still use one of the original FreeChex tools. ( one day I'll buy the FreeChex III )
I don't use it much anymore, but it's the one for plain base bullets.
I have shot a lot of coke cans worth of aluminum gas checks through my 38's and 357's with no more problems than using copper checks that I have noticed.
I have read that others have mentioned that aluminum is more abrasive than copper, may be, but it's not noticeable in my guns....
It's not like thats all I shoot is bullets with aluminum gas checks!!
TxD
I don't use it much anymore, but it's the one for plain base bullets.
I have shot a lot of coke cans worth of aluminum gas checks through my 38's and 357's with no more problems than using copper checks that I have noticed.
I have read that others have mentioned that aluminum is more abrasive than copper, may be, but it's not noticeable in my guns....
It's not like thats all I shoot is bullets with aluminum gas checks!!
TxD
dragon813gt
Member
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- Jun 30, 2011
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- 1,137
Are you sure it's a FreeChex? I thought Pat was the only one that made a plain base check maker? I know the FreeChexIII is a different design from it's predecessor.
The beauty of aluminium checks is two fold. First and foremost you're in control of your supply. You can go to one of the big box home improvement stores, buy some aluminium flashing and start making your own.
I prefer higher quality material and that's part of the second benefit. You are in complete control of making the check. All gas check shanks are not created equal. You can match the material thickness to shank size to insure it crimps on. And even once it's crimped on you can change thickness to achieve desired accuracy. I've only had one instance where it was noticeable on paper and it was small. But it was measurable.
Fouling has been brought up quite a bit on CB. There is no consensus about it. It's not like there is an aluminium solvent on the market like there is for copper. So removing it becomes the potential issue. I've had no fouling in my barrels so far.
The less components I have to buy from someone the happier I am. Gas checks are one more item I don't have to worry about buying.
Fatelvis
Member
I use them all the time in my 303 Brit and 30-30 cast boolit loads. They work just as well as copper checks, and leave no fouling.
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