Further discussion on gas checks - 2 questions

Grey_Lion · September 1, 2018, 10:53 AM

Does anyone here have experience making brass gas checks out of flattened shell casings? I want to use what I have laying around the reloading bench which includes a lot of brass in calibers I don't shoot.

Also - has anyone here used the die set for punching gas checks offered by Pat Marlins?

https://www.patmarlins.com/

I noticed he has gas check dies that work in some of the presses I own.

Thanks for the feedback,

Ben Dover · September 1, 2018, 10:58 AM

Many years ago, I made gas checks out of beer cans. they worked fairly well.

I see no reason to believe these wouldn't work just as well or better.

**Unclenick** · September 1, 2018, 11:08 AM

The problem is case walls vary in thickness along the body case. You need a material of uniform thickness or you will introduce imbalance to the bullet that will deteriorate accuracy. See if you can trade you excess brass for some brass sheet from a metals recycling place. Or go with beer cans.

RC20 · September 2, 2018, 04:50 PM

I vote beer cans.

Bimus · September 2, 2018, 05:44 PM

The standard beer can is 0.004 and is ok but the Budweiser cans that are shaped like bottles are twice as thick 0.008 is just right .I use a drop of super glue when putting them on and have been real happy using them .

unclekuster · September 2, 2018, 10:04 PM

I don't have any experience with brass checks, Yet. But I have several of Pat's Dies. Both plain base and shanked check makers. Very good product and I have not had any issues. Pat has been patient with me and all my dumb questions. My Opinion is beer cans work better for plain base checks and the thicker Aluminum Flashing from Ace works way better for the shanked gas checks.

xandi · September 3, 2018, 08:08 AM

One of the members here (frankinmauser?), uses 40s&w cases to make 45 cal(I think edit there 44) projectiles
I’m sure it could be done with enough time and money
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=573813
Here’s a link to a thread I start while back with them

Grey_Lion · September 3, 2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xandi

One of the members here (frankinmauser?), uses 40s&w cases to make 45 cal(I think edit there 44) projectiles

I swage .40 JHP out of low grade 9mm range brass myself - no gas checks needed - the case becomes the jacket. I've posted pictures in the past. I use a BTSniper forming die for that myself. I actually hammered out a few this morning to finish filling a 50 rd block.

September 1, 2018, 10:53 AM	#1
Grey_Lion Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2018 Location: Baton Rouge - Louisiana Posts: 407	Further discussion on gas checks - 2 questions Does anyone here have experience making brass gas checks out of flattened shell casings? I want to use what I have laying around the reloading bench which includes a lot of brass in calibers I don't shoot. Also - has anyone here used the die set for punching gas checks offered by Pat Marlins? https://www.patmarlins.com/ I noticed he has gas check dies that work in some of the presses I own. Thanks for the feedback,

September 1, 2018, 10:58 AM	#2
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	Many years ago, I made gas checks out of beer cans. they worked fairly well. I see no reason to believe these wouldn't work just as well or better. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

September 1, 2018, 11:08 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The problem is case walls vary in thickness along the body case. You need a material of uniform thickness or you will introduce imbalance to the bullet that will deteriorate accuracy. See if you can trade you excess brass for some brass sheet from a metals recycling place. Or go with beer cans. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 2, 2018, 04:50 PM	#4
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I vote beer cans. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

September 2, 2018, 05:44 PM	#5
Bimus Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2018 Location: Farmington NM Posts: 122	The standard beer can is 0.004 and is ok but the Budweiser cans that are shaped like bottles are twice as thick 0.008 is just right .I use a drop of super glue when putting them on and have been real happy using them .

September 2, 2018, 10:04 PM	#6
unclekuster Member Join Date: May 12, 2012 Posts: 29	I don't have any experience with brass checks, Yet. But I have several of Pat's Dies. Both plain base and shanked check makers. Very good product and I have not had any issues. Pat has been patient with me and all my dumb questions. My Opinion is beer cans work better for plain base checks and the thicker Aluminum Flashing from Ace works way better for the shanked gas checks.

September 3, 2018, 08:08 AM	#7
xandi Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Location: ga Posts: 321	One of the members here (frankinmauser?), uses 40s&w cases to make 45 cal(I think edit there 44) projectiles I’m sure it could be done with enough time and money https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=573813 Here’s a link to a thread I start while back with them