Thread: Alternative to gas checks

Hi all. I recently bought some non-gas checked boolits, which I believe to be from a Lee mold to try out from a gentleman on trademe. I Looked at acquiring components and equipment to GC these but the initial cost is quite expensive and I only have 100 of boolits, if I was casting my own I'd send the money and buy GC's and equipment without hesitation. Also looked on the net at ways to shoot them without GC's, I read on a few forums a trick of wrapping the boolits with plumbers teflon tap, I wont be doing that again, what a mess to clean. I'm keen to try powder coating, it seems to be a much cheaper option, will I still need GC's? Does anyone know other ways to shoot without GC's or make them? Thanks.

Brother used to Teflon tape and clear lacquer his non-GC 45-70 cast projectiles for a number of years.

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

Brother used to Teflon tape and clear lacquer his non-GC 45-70 cast projectiles for a number of years.

I didn't used lacquer, maybe thats where I went wrong? Whats the lacquer supposed to do?

Have you tried firing some as is after just lubing them?
Bullets designed for gas checks (they have a small rebated base a bit like a boat tail) can be shot perfectly well without them.
The only reason for gas checks is to enable you to push them a little faster than you can a plain base, the copper cup helps save the base from melting and cuts down on leading theoretically. But as we all know speed isn't everything.
Most of my moulds are lee and gas check models but I've never fitted one in my life and they work just fine just keep your speeds in the 22 long rifle region.
If you want to try something else I have paper patched bullets for my 577/450 and on one occasion for a 303 that proved troublesome. It's fiddly but can work when everything else fails.

what about a spacer of cardboard like a beer coaster???? easy in straightwalled case.....

That used to be used in mk7 ball cartridge for an illustration just look at the avatar of @Cordite

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

That used to be used in mk7 ball cartridge for an illustration just look at the avatar of @Cordite

Tar paper wads they are.

Not quite the same application though. Mk VII bullets were exposed lead bottom at the centre, so the disc just took care of shielding that. But it did not need to shield the copper-sheathed sides and base edge. A dab of paint over the exposed lead in the base would have equally done.

Interesting how some powder coat boolits, I understand they use no gas checks then ( but I may be mistaken on that point.)

Well I am referring to 303 and they are lubed but I can't find any info about these tar paper wads? Like how they're made.

beer coasters are often used....cut slightly too big and poke down ontop of powder...the fuller the case the better,it will be hard up bum of projectile.

I cut them out of Ice cream container lid for 577\450's and 45/70 custard containers [waxed cardboard ] for the cap and balls.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

beer coasters are often used....cut slightly too big and poke down ontop of powder...the fuller the case the better,it will be hard up bum of projectile.

What about cork sheeting? I've been using it as a filler "nitro card" for my 12g loads. Would burning powder burn the wad and dirty the bore? Using 8.5 grain of trailboss so wad won't be touching powder.

What calibre are the projectiles?

8.5grns trailboss you DONT NEED anything...its basically a black powder load.....

Originally Posted by Tertle

What calibre are the projectiles?

.312

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

8.5grns trailboss you DONT NEED anything...its basically a black powder load.....

No need for GC's?