anealing gas checks

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Makes them fit on slightly large shanks a little easier. I've messed with doing that and found that sizing the checks is for me a far better option.
 
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Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Annealing softens them so they can be forced on where they don't fit. By sizing the check with a proper punch the bottom of the check is made flat to match the bullet base and the sides of the cup are flared enough to easily fit on the shank, the sizing die then properly crimps the check on the shank. No mangling the check making it fit where it don't. The result of sizing is a check installed flat and square to the bullet base. The result of forcing them on annealed or not is a crooked poorly installed check.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Copper alloys work harden as they are formed. Annealing softens them so they don't have so much spring back and conform more easily.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
The very minor working (bending) of the check to size it and install it is insignificant as far as work hardening the metal.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Annealing, like Bret pointed out, is to change the characteristics of the check. Softening the check in some instances (i.e. low or late peak pressure) can improve the gas seal to the bore and improve accuracy.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
I always thought it was primarily used to soften the check after it had been work hardened by all the forming processes (rolling into a sheet, punching and forming, etc.) so that it would adhere better and not spring back quite so much. Rick is right, crimping them on probably doesn't work harden them much.
 

Rally

NC Minnesota
I guess i’m Doing both. Ben turned me on to Amerimax coils as a source for aluminum to make checks. I found out the checks I made with my .30 cal Freechex ll cut a much cleaner check with annealed strips. Now I cut strips with a paper cutter to desired width then put them in a pizza oven for 12 minutes to anneal.
Then I bought a couple of the check sizing tools and squared the bases of a couple thousand checks i’d Made before annealing. The material was so stiff it rounded the bases when I made them. Also used them to make .30 cal copper checks from a couple thousand .32 cal checks I picked up in a deal.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I anneal them as a matter of course for my 45-70...simple, easy, they go on easy and accuracy is better for me than unannealed. I seat them by hand and crimp them on with a Lee push through that I polished. Flat meplat bullets go through base first.
IMG_20190820_184803_1.jpg
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I anneal checks as well. They fit better, and often look like they were cast into place with the bullet.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure I can tell the difference (Cu only), I do for homemade as they crimp on better. IMHO those pesky flyers may be caused by 'poor' GCs.