.30 cal plain base gas checks?
- Thread starter Spindrift
- Start date
I honchoed the original MP group buy for the 311410. I have two 4 cav brass molds, one with HP pins in two sizes plus a flat point pin, One mold is GC & the other is PB. Miha kinda missed the mark a bit, a change from the original Lyman design was there was supposed to be a front driving band on the ogive ahead of the crimp groove. It's almost there but not quite. I use it in my Ruger 30 Carbine. Both molds drop at .3105". Weight depends on GC or PB and which HP spud is used.
Bliksem
Active Member
I recently ventured into the use of PB checks by ordering from Shamus Sage the .452" & .458" checks. My application is the 450 Bushmaster and 458 Socom. I even took a risk and ordered molds from Accurate cut without shanks, as for plinking loads checks as typically not needed.
Playing around with seating the checks I found that after powder coating and sizing I then fitted the checks, nose first, this works best for me. I used a Star sizer and a flat punch that is 0.002" smaller than the sizing die to get results I'm happy with. This allows me to coat all of the cast from a batch and then add checks as wanted.
So far all shooting results show an improvement when using the checks, especially when pushing them hard. The platforms are an AR15 and Mossberg bolt gun in 450 Bushmaster. The bullet in the pic, potato quality, is from a NOE .454" HP mold coated & sized to .453" and with a Sage PB check. Running a nail over the side of the bullet you cannot feel that there is a check.
Playing around with seating the checks I found that after powder coating and sizing I then fitted the checks, nose first, this works best for me. I used a Star sizer and a flat punch that is 0.002" smaller than the sizing die to get results I'm happy with. This allows me to coat all of the cast from a batch and then add checks as wanted.
So far all shooting results show an improvement when using the checks, especially when pushing them hard. The platforms are an AR15 and Mossberg bolt gun in 450 Bushmaster. The bullet in the pic, potato quality, is from a NOE .454" HP mold coated & sized to .453" and with a Sage PB check. Running a nail over the side of the bullet you cannot feel that there is a check.
Last edited:
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
@John G , Rick beat med to it; MP moulds, it is. I will shoot it in the .308 and 30-06.
@BliksemE300 ; interesting to hear about your experience. Nice bullet!
@BliksemE300 ; interesting to hear about your experience. Nice bullet!
While back someone sent me sone al home made PB GC (thank you) but they always sheared off or wrinkled badly seating with Lee. They were pretty thick IIRC. Forget if Ian or Fiver played with cardboard ones years ago, seemed to work. I did try thick HiTec on the base - didn't work. Did wonder about trying paper strips/cotton string around the shank but never round-to-it.
Bliksem
Active Member
When I initially tried the PB checks I had issues getting them to work in a Lee die also. As I make my own Star sizing dies I made one with a throat that is gently curved to accommodate the checks. This and using a tight-fitting punch did the trick.
I'm concerned about using PB checks when the diameters are smaller, such as 30cal, as the material displaced by the check could probably cause the bullet to deform or even crack when harder alloys are used. The percentage displacement relative to diameter is what I'm thinking of. The 45cal bullets seem OK and my early results at 100 yards are promising. As I typically hunt at 100~150 yards that is good enough for me.
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
I' ve prepared some BHN 18 bullets today. Base first through Lee .311 sizer, using the NOE top-punch holder for the ram, and the appropriate top punch. No pre-sizing og the bullets, they started with base band .3125.
Effortless sizing with my Lee C-press, no rejects. Really works well with this set-up!
Effortless sizing with my Lee C-press, no rejects. Really works well with this set-up!
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
I shot the first few groups with plain base gas checks (PBGC) today, using the NOE 311-179 (#315- clone). I have a 50/50 4- cav mould, and loaded some rounds with both PBGC and conventional gas checked bullets, for a little comparison. Sized .310, and loaded 17-18-19 grs Vihta N110 for my Howa 1500 in .308.
Range 100m. No bragging groups today, but not to bad- for me. The PBGC groups today were better than the GC groups for all loads. But small sample (only one group with each combination!) so I´m not making any bold claims
I think there is a good load in this interval. The vertical at 18 grs is interesting. Think I`ll shoot the 19grs again. Will keep working on it. The shooting today was encouraging. PBGC seem to work fine, at least in these moderate loads. How will they stand up to full tilt PC loads? We´ll see
Range 100m. No bragging groups today, but not to bad- for me. The PBGC groups today were better than the GC groups for all loads. But small sample (only one group with each combination!) so I´m not making any bold claims
I think there is a good load in this interval. The vertical at 18 grs is interesting. Think I`ll shoot the 19grs again. Will keep working on it. The shooting today was encouraging. PBGC seem to work fine, at least in these moderate loads. How will they stand up to full tilt PC loads? We´ll see
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Ian!
I’m happy with how the PBGC bullets worked. The regular GC bullets, however, grouped a little worse than I’m used to. I was using Lapua range pick-ups. This was their first assignment in my employ, and they were FL resized (headspace about 6 thou). From now, they’ll be collet neck sized. Then, I’ll see how they do with 18,5grs and fire-formed cases.
I’m happy with how the PBGC bullets worked. The regular GC bullets, however, grouped a little worse than I’m used to. I was using Lapua range pick-ups. This was their first assignment in my employ, and they were FL resized (headspace about 6 thou). From now, they’ll be collet neck sized. Then, I’ll see how they do with 18,5grs and fire-formed cases.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Lapua range pickups? Uff da!
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
I know, I’m spoiled
Norma brass in 6,5x55, .308 win and .30-06 is quite easy to find in the brass bucket of many ranges. Which is one reason I gravitate towards those cartridges. Lapua is a bit less frequent.
The range I use in the winter (most ranges close to the public in the winter, since evenings are so dark here) is situated in a region with a lot of wealthy people. Picking through the brass buckets here is very rewarding, lots of high quality once-fired brass. It covers the range fee I pay to shoot there with good margins....
Norma brass in 6,5x55, .308 win and .30-06 is quite easy to find in the brass bucket of many ranges. Which is one reason I gravitate towards those cartridges. Lapua is a bit less frequent.
The range I use in the winter (most ranges close to the public in the winter, since evenings are so dark here) is situated in a region with a lot of wealthy people. Picking through the brass buckets here is very rewarding, lots of high quality once-fired brass. It covers the range fee I pay to shoot there with good margins....
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Yeah I know. Just majorly jealous. I have 274 once fired Lapuas. What does that tell you?
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
That you probably have a very tidy reloading room
I have no idea how many cases I have. There are some buckets, and some bags.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Hahahahahaha, tidy. No what it means is that Lapua brass is scarce, expensive, and treasured. I was gifted the 7 lbs. I have and I am treating them as match grade. My work a day brass is a Hobson's choice of head stamps with Federal being the most common.That you probably have a very tidy reloading room
I have no idea how many cases I have. There are some buckets, and some bags.