Gas checks stuck in case necks

[Hawk]

Okay I admit it, I'm an idiot.
I loaded some 7.62 x40 Wilson Tactical rounds for fire forming with a 162 grain gas check pc'ed bullet.
I had a fire forming load that was 21.3 grains of AA1680 thatt would just cycle the action, eject the round and pick up the next round that I use for fire forming brass.
I had a batch of PC'ed bullets that had been double-coated and had to be seated 0.005" deeper so I reduce powder charge by 0.8 of a grain to 20.5 grains. I thought the load might not even cycle the action, but that would be okay. The first three rounds gave me signs of pressure, flattened primers, so I brought the rest of them back home to pull the bullets and reload them.
As I was pulling the bullets with an inertia puller, I wound up getting a few gas checks stuck in the neck. I went to a bullet puller in my rock chucker II press and I had the same problem.
I now have 22 cases with gas checks stuck in the neck that I cannot figure out how to get out. I don't care about the primers, the powder or the gas checks but would like to salvage the cases since they are handmade and a pain to make it at that.

Any ideas on how I can get these gas checks out without destroying the case or blowing myself up?

 

[Rick]

Sure glad I've never done that. Yeah, right.

What works "sometimes" is tap with a small punch on one side of the check just enough to tip it, the other side will rise up some. Grab it with needle nose pliers. So why sometimes? Because sometimes it will just pop the check into the case. When/if that happens it's still possible to grab it with the needle nose just more difficult.

 

[Spindrift]

I have a small steel hook that works well. Tilt the check sideways, pull it out with the hook. It even works with checks that have fallen into the case.

I admit it, I'm an idiot.

You should see some of the things I do. This wouldn’t even register on my scale of idiocy

 

[oscarflytyer]

REALLY dumb ? What would happen if you fire-formed them as is, with the gas check? I am assuming not too much pressure, but guess also what would the GC do to the bore? Again, REALLY dumb ?'s, but figured I would ask.

 

[Hawk]

REALLY dumb ? What would happen if you fire-formed them as is, with the gas check? I am assuming not too much pressure, but guess also what would the GC do to the bore? Again, REALLY dumb ?'s, but figured I would ask.

Since I'm shooting these in an AR15, I'm guessing unburnt powder would gum up the work pretty good. Also, might stick a check in the chamber or barrell, since there's nothing to keep it straight and square with the bore.
Only a guess on my part.

 

[Matt]

Nope not dumb. I recently pulled 38 cast bullets from .30/30 rounds I had been gifted because I had no idea what they were loaded with. 7 of the cases had gas checks stuck that look just like yours. I tried my dental pick and small needle nose pliers. Made the neck unround and could not get the check out. Fired the rest on my range. Gas checks exited at low velocity, sounded like firing a primer, lots of unburned powder. Cleaned bore and got lots of black soot. No damage, saved the cases.

 

[Hawk]

Sure glad I've never done that. Yeah, right.

What works "sometimes" is tap with a small punch one side of the check just enough to tip it, the other side will rise up some. Grab it with needle nose pliers. So why sometimes? Because sometimes it will just pop the check into the case. When/if that happens it's still possible to grab it with the needle nose just more difficult.

Worked like a champ! The hardests part is getting the check lined up to grab with the needle nose pliers.
Thanks!

 

[462]

Never had that happen with Hornady checks, because they have that inner edge that gets crimped into the bullet, but it has been an all too common and very annoying occurrence with Gator checks.

 

[Rick]

Hornady checks are all I've ever used and yep, it can/does happen with them also. Perhaps not as often but happen it does.

 

[462]

I've two unopened bags of 500 each .30 caliber Gators, and if I wasn't so frugal I'd give them away and buy a box of Hornadys.

 

[Hawk]

These were Hornady checks, but applied after PC'ing.
That may have made the difference.
Had 22 out of 48 stick in the throat.

 

[Joshua]

One of my other hobbies is bicycle mechanics. I have a small supply of loose bicycle spokes laying near my reloading bench. The hooked end of a spoke with the peened/riven disk will just pull a gas check out every time. The case needs to be upside down with the gas check loose in the case. You pull the check out sideways.

Also, a short piece of spoke makes a decent (emergency) RCBS large style decapping pin.

Josh

 

[S Mac]

I've had to retrieve my share of checks, always used a small pick (mechanic's) to pop them right out.

 

[Mike H]

If there is room in the case,push the gas check into the case and then expand the case neck a bit larger,say up to the next calibre.The gas check will then fall out.

 

[358156 hp]

I tip 'em sideways in the case neck with a small pocket screwdriver, then snag them out with a 90 degree o-ring pick. There always seem to be at least a few like this whenever I pull bullets. After you figure out which removal technique you prefer it'll cease being anything more than a minor annoyance.

 

[Tomme boy]

I would have just shot them all. They showed pressure because the bullet was not supporting the case back against the bolt. Next time make them so they are a crush fit.

 

[Ian]

I tip 'em sideways in the case neck with a small pocket screwdriver, then snag them out with a 90 degree o-ring pick. There always seem to be at least a few like this whenever I pull bullets. After you figure out which removal technique you prefer it'll cease being anything more than a minor annoyance.

I've had to retrieve my share of checks, always used a small pick (mechanic's) to pop them right out.

Huh. Me too. We must have careers in the same industry

 

[CZ93X62]

I try the "tip & grab" idea first; if that fails, I go to the Mike H Method next. Batting average on T&G is about .450 to .700.

 

[Hawk]

I got them all done with the "tip sideways with a punch and grab with long needle nose pliers" method.
Didn't lose a single case!

 

[358156 hp]

Huh. Me too. We must have careers in the same industry

Seems like it sometimes, doesn't it?

BTW, for me at least, it has to be the 90 degree pick, the ones shaped like shepherds crooks don't fit well into some case necks.