Gas check testing

[4and1]

Ian, I use the exact method you do, I use tweezers, they really aren't tweezers, but they aren't hemostats, got them from horror freight. Anyway, I shook up my next batch today, and I layed a piece of paper towel over the base of my arbor press, pulled it tight and tucked the ends under. I grabbed a bullet, gave it a tap, then drug the bottom across the paper towel. They came out clean, so it the tray they went standing up. (I use a piece of teflon oven non stick stuff my wife had, lays a lot flatter than foil). Your suggestion is perfectly logical and I appreciate the hint. I'll be shooting these next week at a match, hope things work well. I'll let you know.

 

[Ian]

My "picking tool" and baking arrangement, non-stick foil over some 18-gauge-ish sheet steel. It worked the first time so I just keep using the same setup:

 

[popper]

I tested the PC/no PC on the GC thing while back, 30 cal AR. Couldn't tell the difference, my shooting? Tried it with PB also, same result. I did experiment with sprue cut/timing. Pimples are bad, divits not so much but void in base is terrible. I use gloved hand to cut and push down on tab. Tried when sprue was 'just' hard and found bases were not flat. I wiped the PC off the base for that experiment and got a circular group @ 100 (BO carbine). Actually ~ MOA but round. Cut when 'color' change and group tighten'd up. 2 hole mould. I moved my plates to the 'wrong' position and found my hand doesn't get nearly as hot, bases still good.