Aluminum or Copper Gas Checks ( Which is Best)

[richhodg66]

I've used both. I can't tell a difference, but then, not sure my guns, casting and shooting is to the level where I could and I haven't done a real systematic test.

I will say some of the aluminum ones I've bought, the quality control didn't seem as good, mishapen or bent ones in the bunch.

I doubt I'll ever get into making my own checks, it's interesting, but they are no where near the cost yet to make it worth my while.

 

[L Ross]

Bought a FreeChex III years ago from Mr. Cordinall. My friend and fellow member Jon, (Long Hunter), set it up and did all the initial experimenting, obtained the flashing, and got us going. We will get together once every couple of years to run some off in .30 and .32 caliber. I wish now I had gotten a .35 as well. We use the .016" Ameri-Max aluminum and I have no complaints.

This is one of those brain storms that foresaw supply shortages rather than saved money. Believe me, if there had been a primer-matic kit with squeeze tubes of priming compound, anvils, a tweezers, and a cup forming gizmo I'd have had one of those too. Hell I'd be willing to set at the down stream end of an extruder pooping out SR-4759 with a single edge razor blade slicing off kernels. You guys'd would be spared all my drivel as I'd have no time for this Lazy-Boy forum posting.

 

[Bret4207]

That was funny!!!

 

[JonB]

I don't use aluminum g/c.... just buy gator checks from sages...

Other than cost, and what spin mentioned about customizing thickness for a particular cast round.... why did you switch? Strictly financial reasons??

My story,
Originally, yes saving money.
I jumped into the bandwagon buying several PatMarlins checkmakers. BUT, when I realized how much time is involved making them, I decided that I didn't want it as a "add-on" hobby to my bullet casting hobby, so I sold all my Patmarlins checkmakers.

During that time, I also bought a FCIII tool (22 cal) from James Sage. He had some spare tools (made by Charlie Darnell) that he wanted to part with. I choose not to sell that one, as I had bought a dedicated arbor press and custom made some tooling to mount it...Plus I used the other rational that someday, there'd be shortages of the 22 cal. and lastly, I have several 22 cal CF Rifles that I cast for.

 

[JonB]

There was a one-step GC punch & die called Freechex III. There are YouTube vids of it working and it is truly a slick design. I tried to find the maker, but nowhere to be found on the web. The vid was dated 2010. Latest comment I could find from someone who bought one was in 2014. I suspect they were either not profitable (vid said they were expensive, but did not give a price) or the guy retired/died.

Anyone here have one or know what happened to them?

Actually there are several people that are/were making the one-step GC punch and die.
Charlie Darnell was the maker that was the most popular and I believe coined (and trademarked?) the name FreeChex?
It seems that Charlie was making them as more of a hobby, he tried to step away from making them, more than once.

 

[JonB]

I will say some of the aluminum ones I've bought, the quality control didn't seem as good, mishapen or bent ones in the bunch.

Most of the alum GCs I've bought will have several with a 'nibble' cut out the edge. Probably from not holding the material perfectly? I've been told it doesn't effect anything, but I was never crazy about using them.
NOW...
There was a dude on the other forum. "WindPower" I believe was his user ID.
He sold 'em on ebay, cheaper than anyone else and his alum GC were cut/formed perfect, but there'd be several 'bent' ones in the mix...due to rough handling, maybe? He only sold 30 cal and 35 cal. The material he used was a bit thicker than typical, but they worked great for one of my molds with a undersized shank. Via a few conversations I had with him, I found out he made his own tooling and used a couple real old, large WWII vintage automated punch presses, which he sold to Sages years later.

 

[Snakeoil]

Thanks, Jon. I can understand the FreeChex story. I'm often asked to make stuff for other shooters that I've made for myself and I politely decline because it becomes work relatively quickly. Things like that can take over your life relatively quickly.

I looked at Patmarlins tools. They are two step and look like pure drudgery to me based upon YouTube vids. I don't have the patience for repetitive processes like that with low production rates. The FCIII was fast and simple.

Gas checks were hard to find about a year ago, but then started showing up again. Club did a group by from Bayou and since then I found Hornadys at Brownells.

As to the point made about reloading primers, there supposedly is some guy or outfit that makes a kit for reloading 22 rimfire ammo. I would think that you could use the same primer compound to reload CF primers. I can see the process as cleaning the original components, pressing the dent out of the cup, adding primer compound, inserting anvil and then sealant of some sort. Maybe the priming compound holds the anvil in place.

It would take patience and some dexterity since they are so small. Controlling the amount of primer compound would have to be the most important piece when it comes to accuracy/safety. If the compound was extruded thru a tube, I can see small slices being cut and accuracy would be determined by a fine thread ram. Not sure how stable that primer compound is. Extrusion pressure could make the extrusion tube into a Bangalore torpedo.

Just thinking out loud here, I wonder if caps used in cap pistols would work as primer compound? Punch out the little dot of explosive (carefully) and put it in the primer cup and insert the anvil. Hmmmmm.....

 

[Reloader762]

I would say if you have the time to make checks and money to invest in a check maker and materials, then by all means do so, as it's always good to have backup options in case the supply chain breaks down and you find yourself wanting. For me, the cost and time is not a good option as I have plenty of things to do reloading wise so it's just easier for me to buy my checks. I purchased most of mine back when they were much cheaper like Gator checks when they first hit my radar were like $10 per K and I've purchased a few K from Sage in both copper and aluminum. The aluminum ones do just fine but I'm partial to the copper checks, especially after I anneal them or put the gas checks on first and PC over them.

 

[stlg67]

Here's the guy that made the .30 cal and the .22 cal gas check tools that I have, sorry for the quality of the picture, he's on ebay. I've tried the .30 cal tool on aluminum but that's all. I haven't put any on bullets yet but look like they will work. They don't look as good as the Freechex III tool, but this was the only one other than Pat Marlin that I found. They seem to be okay for the price.
I'll try some tonight and put the results on here tomorrow with some pictures. I wish someone was still making the Freechex III tool!!

 

[CZ93X62]

I use a lot less gas checks these days than I did in times past. Not only do I shoot less, I also shoot a lot less full-tilt loadings in magnum revolvers.

 

[L Ross]

Actually there are several people that are/were making the one-step GC punch and die.
Charlie Darnell was the maker that was the most popular and I believe coined (and trademarked?) the name FreeChex?
It seems that Charlie was making them as more of a hobby, he tried to step away from making them, more than once.

I must have misremembered the name. I thought it was Charlie Cordinell.

 

[stlg67]

I would say if you have the time to make checks and money to invest in a check maker and materials, then by all means do so, as it's always good to have backup options in case the supply chain breaks down and you find yourself wanting. For me, the cost and time is not a good option as I have plenty of things to do reloading wise so it's just easier for me to buy my checks. I purchased most of mine back when they were much cheaper like Gator checks when they first hit my radar were like $10 per K and I've purchased a few K from Sage in both copper and aluminum. The aluminum ones do just fine but I'm partial to the copper checks, especially after I anneal them or put the gas checks on first and PC over them.

I was wondering if you have any issues with the bullets when you seat them with the gas checks powder coated?

 

[Spindrift]

@stlg67 ; I always install the check before coating, never had a problem.

@Snakeoil ; NOE actually sell a die to resize small and large primer cups. Resizing the cups should be pretty straight forward. The rest of the procedure, less so....

My reason for buying check maker dies, is being self sufficient. Living in Norway, the supply chain is very long, as all GC producers are in the US. Whenever there is a component draught, gas checks can be unobtainable over here for years.

 

[Snakeoil]

My reason for buying check maker dies, is being self sufficient. Living in Norway, the supply chain is very long, as all GC producers are in the US. Whenever there is a component draught, gas checks can be unobtainable over here for years.

Yumpin' Yiminy!! Learn something new every day. Never knew you were in Norway. Worked with a great guy from Norway. And of course, his first name was Bjorne.

Sweden and Norma are right next door. Is it possible for you to drive to Sweden to get components or does the border crossing make that difficult?

 

[Spindrift]

Crossing the border to Sweden is unproblematic, and I could probably go to Sweden for components. That was actually a very good idea. Might have to make a trip!

 

[Snakeoil]

Crossing the border to Sweden is unproblematic, and I could probably go to Sweden for components. That was actually a very good idea. Might have to make a trip!

Well, when you do, get me 10,000 Large Rifle Primers, willya? I'll give you my address in NY.

I recently sent an email to Norma and told them they are missing a huge market opportunity with primers in the USA. Never got a reply. Should have sent it in Swedish.

 

[Bret4207]

I'm entertaining the Swedish Bikini Team soon, I'll see if they can help out...

 

[RBHarter]

Thanks, Jon. I can understand the FreeChex story. I'm often asked to make stuff for other shooters that I've made for myself and I politely decline because it becomes work relatively quickly. Things like that can take over your life relatively quickly.

I looked at Patmarlins tools. They are two step and look like pure drudgery to me based upon YouTube vids. I don't have the patience for repetitive processes like that with low production rates. The FCIII was fast and simple.

Gas checks were hard to find about a year ago, but then started showing up again. Club did a group by from Bayou and since then I found Hornadys at Brownells.

As to the point made about reloading primers, there supposedly is some guy or outfit that makes a kit for reloading 22 rimfire ammo. I would think that you could use the same primer compound to reload CF primers. I can see the process as cleaning the original components, pressing the dent out of the cup, adding primer compound, inserting anvil and then sealant of some sort. Maybe the priming compound holds the anvil in place.

It would take patience and some dexterity since they are so small. Controlling the amount of primer compound would have to be the most important piece when it comes to accuracy/safety. If the compound was extruded thru a tube, I can see small slices being cut and accuracy would be determined by a fine thread ram. Not sure how stable that primer compound is. Extrusion pressure could make the extrusion tube into a Bangalore torpedo.

Just thinking out loud here, I wonder if caps used in cap pistols would work as primer compound? Punch out the little dot of explosive (carefully) and put it in the primer cup and insert the anvil. Hmmmmm.....

#10 or #11 cap punch from that reload 22 LR out fit .
A layer of FFFFg 2 cap dots and seal in with clear nail polish . It works 95%+ in revolvers and 99%+ in rifles , or so reported . I have the punch and the caps I just haven't gotten there yet past making a bunch of cups anyway .

I suspect the caps get disrupted or don't stay tight on the nipples .

The 22 reloader outfits sell the primer compound components . It seems tedious to me to hammer the dents out .
(Says the guy that is working out a form and size die for a 25 ACP to 22 LR CF......)

 

[Bret4207]

As I sit here picturing myself disassembling 1K primers and rebuilding them, the obscene current prices suddenly seem more reasonable...

 

[stlg67]

Here's a few that I did with those gas check tools, they seem to be okay with the aluminum comparing them to the copper from Sage. Will have to load and see the performance.