Jeez Louise, all I want is one hex bolt!

[Col. Harrumph]

Gas check expander. You have gas checks that won't fit? I must have not read correctly.

Correct! Bullet shank diameter > gas check internal diameter; a fairly common problem as there are no SAAMI specs for either. And anyway a spec on cast bullets would be impossible to enforce.

I should add, kudos to McMaster-Carr! I ordered the bolt last Thursday (1 Feb), was told it'd arrive the following Monday, and it did arrive today (3 Feb).

 

[buck460XVR]

I don't think I ever went into our local Ace Hardware and not found the bolt/screw/fastener I was looking for. Many times in the search, I found others that I didn't know existed. Amazon is not always the "best" deal.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

My local Ace was in fact the first place I went. They have tons of bolts in the fasteners section, but none larger than 1/2 inch diameter. And I needed 7/8.

 

[Show Me]

Correct! Bullet shank diameter > gas check internal diameter; a fairly common problem as there are no SAAMI specs for either. And anyway a spec on cast bullets would be impossible to enforce.

I should add, kudos to McMaster-Carr! I ordered the bolt last Thursday (1 Feb), was told it'd arrive the following Monday, and it did arrive today (3 Feb).

I've had them tight enough that I tap the bullet on my work bench till it's home then push it through the sizer to crimp it. My molds aren't that far off I guess. Not putting anyone down but I'd buy a different brand mold. Before I went through what you got going but nifty project.

 

[bearcreek]

My local Ace was in fact the first place I went. They have tons of bolts in the fasteners section, but none larger than 1/2 inch diameter. And I needed 7/8.

Yeah, the folks who were recommending places like Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply etc. have clearly not looked hard at the selection at those places. Sounds like you've got it figured out. In future, if you're looking for larger bolts like that, check with local heavy construction/farm equipment dealers.

 

[IWAC]

I found the perfect thing on amazon... $361 for a pack of 80 Anyone want 79 hex bolts? Size 7/8 x 14, 1 3/4 inch long; just the thing for cobbling together a homemade gas check expander on your RockChucker. Only $356 and I'll eat the 49¢

Yep....I checked McMaster-Carr, and the shipping is more than the bolt. Gonna check my local hardware stores. They don't have one, The shipping won't be too much of a one-time cost.

 

[Tilos]

Yep....I checked McMaster-Carr, and the shipping is more than the bolt. Gonna check my local hardware stores. They don't have one, The shipping won't be too much of a one-time cost.

I have a ft. long piece of all-thread that is 7/8x14 that I bought from McMaster-Carr ($29+ shipping):

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

I have a piece I bored out a 5/8" or 3/4" diameter square bottomed hole and make bushing out of 01 tool steel to do what I need.
I can neck size or bullet size with custom made bushings to whatever size I need.
jmo,
.

 

[lightman]

Yeah, the folks who were recommending places like Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply etc. have clearly not looked hard at the selection at those places. Sounds like you've got it figured out. In future, if you're looking for larger bolts like that, check with local heavy construction/farm equipment dealers.

I suppose hardware selection varies by location. I never really thought about it. I recently moved from a small farming community and both parts stores and both implement dealers would have had that bolt. Heck, I probably had North of $5000 worth of bolts, nuts and washers in my home shop!

 

[bearcreek]

I suppose hardware selection varies by location. I never really thought about it. I recently moved from a small farming community and both parts stores and both implement dealers would have had that bolt. Heck, I probably had North of $5000 worth of bolts, nuts and washers in my home shop!

It does vary quite a bit from place to place. In most places the big chain stores like those I mentioned only carry up to 3/4"x6" bolts or thereabouts. Small farm/logging town hardware stores and equipment dealers typically have a wider selection.

 

[Tilos]

I suppose hardware selection varies by location. I never really thought about it. I recently moved from a small farming community and both parts stores and both implement dealers would have had that bolt. Heck, I probably had North of $5000 worth of bolts, nuts and washers in my home shop!

Yeh, after many years of hoarding nuts/bolts because I live 30 minutes from the nearest Hardware store, and not finding what I need in my stash...
I now stock pieces of threaded rod and a bunch of matching nuts.
I can make a bolt of any size or length from that all-thread/nut stock and save a run to the hardware store.

My choice to weld one nut to the all-thread, making it a bolt, or not.
True, the grade of that homemade bolt may not be up to snuff, but I at least I can continue on.

I do have a vast array of 1/4x20 stuff as it seems most of the things I deal with are 1/4x20.
jmo,
OP: sorry for the drift.
.

 

[doubleh]

My local Ace Hardware/lumber yard keep a good supply of both SAE and metric bolts in stock. For some reason the gun screw selection went away a couple of years ago. The price of a 3/4" grade 8 bolt will cause you to take a deep breath and the longer the bolt the deeper the breath needed. I can usually buy a package of 10 or 12 small stainless bolts for less on eBay with free shipping than 4 cost at Ace.

 

[Tilos]

My local Ace Hardware/lumber yard keep a good supply of both SAE and metric bolts in stock. For some reason the gun screw selection went away a couple of years ago. The price of a 3/4" grade 8 bolt will cause you to take a deep breath and the longer the bolt the deeper the breath needed. I can usually buy a package of 10 or 12 small stainless bolts for less on eBay with free shipping than 4 cost at Ace.

I have found Amazon to be a good source for SMALL hardware, like Chicago Screws, holster clips, angle brackets, shelf brackets, etc.
You will be surprised what shows up in a search of Amazon.
That, and I have a distribution center nearby and get next day delivery most times.
OP: sorry again for the drift.
jmo,
.

 

[doubleh]

I have found Amazon to be a good source for SMALL hardware, like Chicago Screws, holster clips, angle brackets, shelf brackets, etc.
You will be surprised what shows up in a search of Amazon.
That, and I have a distribution center nearby and get next day delivery most times.
OP: sorry again for the drift.
jmo,
.

I always check both. Two days here.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I like Tractor Supply......throw what you need in a bag and its by the pound.Fill it with what ya want and the put it on the scale.None of that writing a sku number on a bag etc.

 

[Riomouse911]

My Ace Hardware store is surprisingly well stocked with nuts, bolts and associated fasteners. They have saved me when working on gun stuff as well as a jillion other projects.

Stay safe.

 

[Hookeye]

Got a restored a Lyman Mag T press, with undersized detent ball for the turret.

Nobody had the right size.

Ebay to the rescue, 6 bucks ( figured out the correct size and just ordered it ).

A few unsuccessful trips to stores, burned way more than 6 bucks in gas.

 

[jmorris]

I found the perfect thing on amazon... $361 for a pack of 80 Anyone want 79 hex bolts? Size 7/8 x 14, 1 3/4 inch long; just the thing for cobbling together a homemade gas check expander on your RockChucker. Only $356 and I'll eat the 49¢

I have a box of them you just need one but I tend to work like water, towards the easiest end and have been using the body of Lee powder dies.

I just dump out the internals and machine my new insert from 3/4" bar stock and drop it in the die. A lot less work than altering a bolt.

 

[jmorris]

I have a 2.5" one with your name on it, if you want one or two.



They are not very fun to make stuff out of though.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Jmorris, thank you very much. You are, as we used to say, a gentleman and a scholar.
That said, I got what I needed from McMaster-Carr. They were pleasant to deal with.
But, again, thank you.