Are we ready for mold companies to update?

[Bazoo]

I'm interested in making my own checks but I just ain't took the plunge yet. That'll cut the cost a fair amount. But more importantly, it'll allow me to be more independent from the supply chain.

 

[AJC1]

Powder coating is not necessary with antique gas check technology. It's an added waste of time with no added benefit.

Only if you completely discount lead exposure

 

[troy fairweather]

Lee could redesign some of their bullets tips some, some are a little to pointy for my liking when used in a tube mag. A flatter point is better for hunting or punching paper a little better.

 

[AJC1]

Lee could redesign some of their bullets tips some, some are a little to pointy for my liking when used in a tube mag. A flatter point is better for hunting or punching paper a little better.

I'd really like a lee 65-80 grain 223 bullet. A rnfp would be just fine.

 

[Bazoo]

Lead exposure is more of an issue from lead styphnate in primer residue, than from lead bullets.

I wonder if there is any danger from vaporized PC?

 

[Bazoo]

One benefit of gas checks, is they size the case as they are seated. So if you have hard brass or brass that wasn't expanded optimally, it doesn't swage the bullet base down.

 

[AJC1]

Lead exposure is more of an issue from lead styphnate in primer residue, than from lead bullets.

I wonder if there is any danger from vaporized PC?

Probably no more than vaporized molly.

 

[AJC1]

One benefit of gas checks, is they size the case as they are seated. So if you have hard brass or brass that wasn't expanded optimally, it doesn't swage the bullet base down.

Sounds like the job of the correct mandrel. I love the noe mandrels. Others prefer the lyman.

 

[Demi-human]

I like my gas checks to be cut a little large. Large enough they go all the way up to the meplat. If they make a small hollow in the nose, so much the better.
Lead exposure during loading is also mitigated.

 

[Bazoo]

Sounds like the job of the correct mandrel. I love the noe mandrels. Others prefer the lyman.

True, I likem too!

I like my gas checks to be cut a little large. Large enough they go all the way up to the meplat. If they make a small hollow in the nose, so much the better.
Lead exposure during loading is also mitigated.

How do you like the cost of them "full length" GCs? I like the cost of cast, but I'd love to get into swaging my own jacketed I think.

 

[gifbohane]

I gotta ask Do I need gas checks when I powder coat?

 

[troy fairweather]

I gotta ask Do I need gas checks when I powder coat?

Not normally, running a stout load they may help tho.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I gotta ask Do I need gas checks when I powder coat?

For full speed hunting rifle loads in the 2500fps range, it’s a good idea to use a 16-18BHN with a long driving band which is at least gas-checked, preferably also coated with molybdenum paint or powder coated (enamel or polymer) and fit to the bore tightly. JMHO YMMV JAFO FUBAR BOHICA.

 

[gifbohane]

Geo-

I knew all the abbreviations except BOHICA

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Geo-

I knew all the abbreviations except BOHICA

Bend Over, Here It Comes Again. And “it” is, The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate.

 

[AJC1]

I gotta ask Do I need gas checks when I powder coat?

Pistol no. Rifle above 2000fps I would use them. I feel like lee had a good form of analysis looking at pressure. I found his hardness charts a little excessive in my testing. High pressure loads are better served by gas checks. Swagging some numbers because why not above 35k and above 2000-2200;fps I still intend to use them.

 

[jmorris]

People, successful ones, sell things people buy at prices they are willing to pay for them. It’s that simple, no magic or slight of hand involved.

 

[.38 Special]

Only if you completely discount lead exposure

And the goalposts shift!

I'll note, though, that most of the risk appears to come from casting, which both the gas checkers and the powder coaters have in common. I personally have my blood lead levels checked periodically and have not had an issue.

I wonder what sort of test is available to determine how badly a fellow has damaged himself with toxic plastic fumes?

 

[Demi-human]

How do you like the cost of them "full length" GCs?

It’s not the greatest…
I like the terminal performance while reducing total projectile weight, for cartridge combinations that require it. But bullets look better in red!

Really though, like AJC1, I like the HyTek coated lead a huge amount. I just don’t cast, yet. The best thing since 1911s is MBC and SNS casting 200grain SWCs.
HyTek is so superior to powder coat, it literally makes loading the bullets to the cases more difficult.
For the benefits, I can live with that. And like @jmorris says, I can afford them!

Now if there is a technique that can double dip the base of the bullet effectively, perhaps we can kill off the gas check completely.

 

[jmorris]

They are no longer necessary with current coating technology. They are an added expense with no added benefit.

How much have you shot gas checked bullets side by side with cast and coated to come to this conclusion and were you testing for accuracy at distance or just plinking?

 

[jmorris]

Probably no more than vaporized molly.

Vaporized Molybdenum? It’s melting temperature is more than 4000 degrees Fahrenheit higher than lead. To put that in perspective Steel has a melting point around 2500-2800 F.

Doesn’t matter much because few actually use just powdered “moly” coat anymore. Looks like Lyman quit selling their kit https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012872598, intended for use with jacketed bullets.

People just incorrectly call coatings “moly” despite MSDS sheets showing they contain tiny percentages of the element.

I can tell you that a powder coated bullet will melt before a bare lead one, if both are heated the same.



And a Hi-tek coated bullet melts after a bare lead bullet. It will also hold the melted lead in the sack it forms when cured.

 

[jmorris]

I'll note, though, that most of the risk appears to come from casting, which both the gas checkers and the powder coaters have in common. I personally have my blood lead levels checked periodically and have not had an issue.

I too have my lead levels checked every year. The only time my levels became elevated was when I began shooting weekly indoor matches. I stopped doing that, still shot two matches a week out doors, reloaded and cast bullets and my levels went down.

So for me the issue was inhalation/ventilation and that might not have even been from shooting rather the greatest source of lead particles at an indoor range are at the trap end, not the shooter end. The closer to the trap you get, the slicker the floor is.

 

[Bazoo]

Vaporized Molybdenum? It’s melting temperature is more than 4000 degrees Fahrenheit higher than lead. To put that in perspective Steel has a melting point around 2500-2800 F.

Doesn’t matter much because few actually use just powdered “moly” coat anymore. Looks like Lyman quit selling their kit https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012872598, intended for use with jacketed bullets.

People just incorrectly call coatings “moly” despite MSDS sheets showing they contain tiny percentages of the element.

I can tell you that a powder coated bullet will melt before a bare lead one, if both are heated the same.

View attachment 1055664

And a Hi-tek coated bullet melts after a bare lead bullet. It will also hold the melted lead in the sack it forms when cured.

View attachment 1055665

Hey that's neat, thanks for sharing that. You don't have a thread somewhere bout it do you?

 

[AJC1]

Hey that's neat, thanks for sharing that. You don't have a thread somewhere bout it do you?

I would consider it being aerosolized when included in greased hand loads not melted from a bullet.

 

[Barbaroja]

It seems to me that companies that sell molds are about as out of date as the cast manual writers. Gas checked pistol bullets are about as outdated as belted magnums. Are we just stuck with molds that create the need for the added expense of a gas check forever or left buying cowboy style to shoot at full power. For pistol rounds super mags, 454, 460, and 500sw excluded the need for a gas check is gone!!!!

I would agree with Lyman and rcbs being behind the curve but there are a lot of small companies making great molds for cheaper.
Don’t want gas checks ? Don’t use them. Problem solved. I powder coat almost 100% of my Bullets and even gas check for certain rifle loads.I do it because it works for me. Thinking that coating is the only way and arguing against other methods is short sighted and will only hinder ones load development as your unwilling to be open to all possible solutions.