Gas Checks

[TX1911fan]

Do I have to gas check all cast bullets, or only certain ones? I'm planning on getting 9mm and .45 caliber cast bullets and want to know if I need gas checks too. Thanks.

 

[fireflyfather]

Unlikely you would need them for use in semi-automatic pistols. Gas checks are almost always used on cast bullets for rifle or magnum pistol applications.

If you were to use those .45 bullets for a .45 long colt at high pressures, you might need them. Otherwise, it'd be a waste of time and money. Also, be aware that the cast bullet must be designed to accept a gas check, and those .45 and 9mm bullets you buy will almost certainly not have a shank to crimp the gas check onto.

 

[Floppy_D]

Look at casting your own, it's not as hard to get into as reloading in general.

Back on topic, I don't even gas check my 44 loads. Leading (if it happens) comes out real easy with some Shooter's Choice Lead Remover and a patch or two.

 

[TX1911fan]

Thanks guys!

 

[AgentAdam]

Is there a certain fps to gas check at or is it a pressure thing? At what fps would .357mag need to be gas checked?

 

[wally]

My experience is somewhere about 1200 fps, you'll wish you'd used gas checks when you clean your gun, unless you are controlling the hardness of your own casting alloy and have slugged your bore to final size .002" over.

--wally.

 

[tiger rag]

Excelent info Wally
Thx