That was the other Significant Gas-Checking Upgrade, started prior to the Flaring Tool Era. Using really good tools--and the products from those tools--is a huge pleasure.Once I started buying Accurate moulds with properly designed check shanks my need to do any of that monkey business ceased. Load primer tray with checks from the box, apply to bullet, crimp into place, repeat.
not to hot, that is just the varnish or whatever cooking off. Use them as is, load and shoot. I have a small cast iron skillet which I fill with gas checks, put on the kitchen stove and stir them a time or two as they heat. Mine look like yours...no problem.Today, I placed gas checks on a steel plate over my propane burner, and brought the temp up to 800* according to the infrared I have, then shut it down. They are black and have scale on them. Too hot?