Gas checks?

[CSACANNONEER]

OK, Ive been casting for a while. I started casting .530 round balls in '87 and modern bullets about 7 years ago. I've never used GCs but, I'm thinking that I'd like to try. I know that I need the right molds but, what else do I need? I've got a Star lubesizer and an old Lyman 45. I'm thinking that I'd have to use the 45 but, I don't know. Is there a fast way to install GCs? Do I need different sizing dies? Is there any way to install GCs using a Star? Are there any other questions about GCs that I should have asked? If so, what are the questions and answers to those?

[rksimple]

I have an old lyman luber/sizer...don't know the model. I put the gas check down in the base, put the bullet on top of it, and run it down into the sizer. It seats it on the bullet nicely. You use standard sizing dies.

[ar15barrels]

OK, Ive been casting for a while. I started casting .530 round balls in '87 and modern bullets about 7 years ago. I've never used GCs but, I'm thinking that I'd like to try. I know that I need the right molds but, what else do I need? I've got a Star lubesizer and an old Lyman 45. I'm thinking that I'd have to use the 45 but, I don't know. Is there a fast way to install GCs? Do I need different sizing dies? Is there any way to install GCs using a Star? Are there any other questions about GCs that I should have asked? If so, what are the questions and answers to those?

Just start the gas check in place and push it through the sizer.
Try one to see if it fully seats during sizing.

I use them on 240gr 44's that I cast and they work fine on my Lyman sizer.

[scarry scarney]

GC on Star Luber

I have a Star, and Love it. I have the air pressure lube, heater, and the bullet feeder. My opinion, is GC on a Star is a pain in the @$$. Don't get me wrong. I love my Star. But I have not found an easy way to use GC.

1) I have tried putting the GC on the bullet, then lubing nose first works (as the magma manual suggests). Sometimes the pressure of the lube pops the GC off. Other times, the GC just doesn't crimp right.

2) Putting the GC on the bullet then lubing base first also works, but not as fast as nose first, but the GC's dont pop off during the lube process.

I have not had any success on GC where the lube ring is at the base of the bullet.

3) I have also tried sizing and lubing on the star, then putting the GC on and running up a lee sizing die to crimp the GC. But this is an added step that wastes time, but does work where there is a lube ring toward the base of the bullet.

So, depending on the bullet, I use either option 2 or option 3.

One of these days, I think I'll call Magma and ask for their advice, if no one has a better solution.

Good luck.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a Star, and Love it. I have the air pressure lube, heater, and the bullet feeder. My opinion, is GC on a Star is a pain in the @$$. Don't get me wrong. I love my Star. But I have not found an easy way to use GC.

1) I have tried putting the GC on the bullet, then lubing nose first works (as the magma manual suggests). Sometimes the pressure of the lube pops the GC off. Other times, the GC just doesn't crimp right.

2) Putting the GC on the bullet then lubing base first also works, but not as fast as nose first, but the GC's dont pop off during the lube process.

I have not had any success on GC where the lube ring is at the base of the bullet.

3) I have also tried sizing and lubing on the star, then putting the GC on and running up a lee sizing die to crimp the GC. But this is an added step that wastes time, but does work where there is a lube ring toward the base of the bullet.

So, depending on the bullet, I use either option 2 or option 3.

One of these days, I think I'll call Magma and ask for their advice, if no one has a better solution.

Good luck.

Thanks, I like option 3. I'll have to try it when I get the right mold(s) and GCs. I think that it would be easier and less messy for me to lube with the star. I've seen GC seating dies for sale but, I guess they're not neccessary.