Custom GC maker fit's reloading press, by BFB Machine Works in Calgary, AB, CA

[JonB]

a few weeks back fiver mentions BFB.

About BFB - BFB Machine Works

About BFB Machine Works BFB Machine Works is a manual machine shop that also specializes in the production of custom tooling for the reloading enthusiast.We serve our Gas Check Maker customers through our website and various e-commerce platforms. We are located in Calgary Alberta in Western Canada

bfbmachineworks.com

Their website says they can make a Gas Check Maker die to produce a gas check to commercial specifications, however, you have the ability to choose the material thickness that provides the best fit for your particular cast bullet.
SAY WHAT! I thought to myself. A custom GC maker?
Below is a photo of 10 samples of various 6.5mm gas checks I've asked "small shop" gas check sellers (who also make their own GCs) to make for my FAT 6.5mm cast rifle bullets...btw, nine of them don't work, only one is workable but is a pain to run through a Lyman Lubesizer. So, I am thinking that maybe, I found a solution to this problem of mine and for the price they charge, I knew it was worth the gamble.


So, I contact Blair at BFB.
I tell him via email/text type messages, that I want a custom FAT 6.5 GC maker die. I tell him the GC shank of my bullet from NOE 270-149-RN measures .245" and I size the bullet to .270 for my oversize 6.5mm barrel and I plan to use .012 copper. He said he could do this, and suggested a slightly thicker material, but the .012 is a good place to start, and it will be take about 3 weeks to make and I could pay for it then. Now let it be known this is a concise version our our lengthy conversation, I am just including the important bits.
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Now honestly, I've talked to machinists in the reloading world before, and I am rarely able to get my thoughts across without drawings, so they understand me. I usually blame the machinist, but we all know the problem is likely me. BUT, in this case, I was pleasantly surprised, Blair seemed to know exactly what I was asking for and our conversation led me to believe I was gonna get exactly what I was asking for.
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Tuesday, 3/19 (about 3 1/2 weeks from when I ordered it) I get a email from Blair, he said I should have the GC maker on Friday. He says if I wish to pay, send the funds via paypal or he can send a invoice. So, I sent $73 US via paypal. The Die arrived yesterday (Thursday).
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I unboxed it, looks like this.

The machining work on the die is nothing less than fantastic, excellent fit and polished finish. It's feels so smooth, it almost slipped out of my hand when I put it in my press. Blair sent a few sample GCs, .012 alum and .012 brass shim stock. I mic'd them and they are .272" OD ...that is a nice number for me. I installed one each onto a couple unsized bullets. They slid right on, but were snug. I ran them through my Lyman 45 with .270 sizer die. The GC seats nice a square and crimps on pretty tight. GCs stay on, but can be forced off with finger nail (not easily I might add), which I find is kind of typical with DIY GCs. I really couldn't ask for any better, I am very happy.



The Next thing I did, which was not in the instructions, was to clean excess oil from the inside of cutting die, then coat inside with Dry Lube. A little trick Charles Darnel told me with my FCIII GC die that he made. It helps the GCs fall freely out of the die and not get bunched up and jammed.

Here are the included instructions.




I installed the Die in my inverted Lee classic cast press.




I adjusted the handle for a pushing down motion to lower the ram to cut/form the copper...I also extended the handle for max leverage as this takes some force. The sample .012 alum cut easier than the 0.3mm Chinese copper I ordered, I calculated it would be .0115" but this copper measures .013" I may have to anneal it, I'll experiment with that in the future.



Continued on next post.

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[JonB]

I punched a few. The first attempt with this 0.3mm chinese copper told me I need to "punch them" and not just push down on the handle, that is also when I readjusted the handle for more leverage, LOL. I think they look real good. These do crimp on a little more than the alum and brass did. I can still pull them off with my finger nail...sort of, I did tear my finger nail.





I'm not sure if anyone cares, this is the roll of chinese copper, 0.3mm ≈ 0.012" thick, 4.0 inches wide x 4.0 feet long for $15 shipped from Shenzhen, GD, China.

 

[JonB]

I must have talked too much about this die...no one has anything to say about it?

 

[JWinAZ]

Making gas checks is interesting, thank you for posting this. We will be interested to see how they shoot. What hardness it the copper?

 

[Jeff H]

I must have talked too much about this die...

No.

You just did such a thorough job on a very well-put-together post. The photos are great, the write-up is great. This should be put somewhere where we won't have to go looking for it. There is a lot of info there. As I learned from Charles', there is a lot more to all this than what a simple, one-page instruction-sheet could possibly contain and having someone go to such an effort to share the experience is pretty awesome. Thank you.

This is a bit of a break-through in gas-check-makers, being amenable to a regular reloading press. I think Charles' FCIII was a step in the right direction with the one-stroke per 'check function, but you still needed an arbor press, which I know has prevented a few people from pursuing the idea. I've looked at these, but until your post, there was not enough information for me to really think too hard about it since I'm already set up with FCIIIs, but now.... Hmmm,...

I've been using Charles' FCIIIs for 22, 30 and 35 for a few years now. I'm vested, already had the arbor press, like the tooling... STILL, your post has me thinking about MAYBE considering a retool, but I'm not quite sure yet. I've also considered plain-basing ALL cavities in ALL my moulds and investing in plain-based GC tooling. Whatever way I go will necessarily involve switching, not adding. I've been working for years to reduce the "stuff" I'm dependent upon to keep on shooting as birthdays accrue, inflation degrades standards of living and wages will cease when I retire.

 

[Ian]

I must have talked too much about this die...no one has anything to say about it?

I just found this thread and agree with Jeff. When you do such a thorough review, no one has any questions.

I'm going to order one of these myself. I have the means to machine and heat treat one but not for less than $100.

 

[JonB]

Making gas checks is interesting, thank you for posting this. We will be interested to see how they shoot. What hardness it the copper?

Shooting some is definitely on the list, but might awhile.

They don't really say what hardness, this is what they do say about the copper.

99.9% Pure Copper Cu Metal Sheet Roll Foil Plate Strip T2 Thickness 0.01mm-1mm
The material used is T2 copper, the copper content is 99.9%!
● 【Function】Our T2 copper sheet is resistant to corrosion, high temperature, oxidation and abrasion, ensuring a long-lasting product. It can be easily bent and cut to suit your specific needs and requirements.
● 【Application】 Copper sheet is widely used for making DIY models, laser engraving, CNC, etc.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195793751562?var=495648306812

 

[Jeff H]

Ill have to pursue that link. My source for coil stock has dried up.

I don't know if anyone else remembers a guy from England who went by "Wonky" and sold pre-slit coil stock for gas checks, but he was an invaluable resource. He sold stateside through a fella named Gil, who could accommodate about any thickness/width you'd want in aluminum and copper. He sent me samples a number of times so I could try it and order in quantity what I wanted. The prices were very good and made scrounging, while fun, a little less practical.

Unfortunately, he is no longer doing this. I probably have more than enough to last me forever, but still...

 

[JonB]

I just found this thread and agree with Jeff. When you do such a thorough review, no one has any questions.

I'm going to order one of these myself. I have the means to machine and heat treat one but not for less than $100.

Their price is crazy cheap for a custom size like I ordered and shipping across International borders.
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Here is my prediction, if you want one, now is the time to order. Much like other makers in the past, the price point is cheap until they get a hundred orders backed up, then there will be no more custom orders taken and price goes higher and higher. Pat Marlin's is now $139 (standard sizes) and Matteson's is $110 (standard sizes)
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I've had 4 pat marlin's and they needed some polishing when I received them...and he got real pissy with me when I told him this. Now I haven't held a Matteson's in my hand, but have seen photos and the finish leaved a little to be desired and Tommeboy ordered one and I recall there were issues. The FCIII had appropriate finish and worked well out of the gate...until my hamfist busted it, When I contacted Charlie about buying a replacement, he sent me a new one and explained why mine broke (my fault). That FCIII is still working just like new in it's dedicated arbor press.

 

[Tomme boy]

I do not use the one I got from Mattesons. It was a learning experience. I gave up on it and wrote it off. Maybe one day I will tear it apart to see what I can do. It cuts a too small disk to form the sides high enough. The part that he makes that cuts the sheet is epoxied into the die. He just makes different cutters and different form punches. He welded in the form punch. He now uses something completely different.

 

[hporter]

no one has anything to say about it?

I don't have anything to say, other than to thank you for taking the time to write up your experience and providing the photographs.

I will order a few of these myself. I have a Pat Marlin's check maker that I never really warmed up to - although it works. This seems to be a much better system.

With all the shortages we have seen in the last decade, it will be worth the cost just to be able to produce them myself when needed.

 

[L Ross]

I ordered one immediately after you did and I expect an email soon, I ordered a .35 caliber. I already have a .30 and .32 FC III. Check independence.

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

Thank you Jon for the write up on this.
Decisions to be made......
Infinite supply or .....

 

[Rick H]

Decisions to be made......
Infinite supply or .....

I'm with Jeff on this. I use relatively few gas checks, especially since I stopped trying to reach for stupid high velocities with cast. The ability to make them myself draws me to the checkmaker.....but for the price I can buy more than a lifetimes supply of Hornady or Gators. Wouldn't be the first tool I bought just to give me the capability to do something....only to sit collecting dust.

 

[fiver]

yep, excellent write up.
the part about him recommending a little thicker material sounds like he has a clue when you put it in practice.