.44 Caliber Aluminum Plain Base Gas Checks

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1. Pistol Shot loads

   Posted by Rob on Sep 18th 2023

   I started building 45 Colt Pistol shot loads with the Fiber Over powder/ Overshot wads. The 44 Caliber Plain Aluminum Gas Checks as the cover to the cartridge are a much better system. I am able to roll crimp the cartridge and keep the load tight, and it will handle the recoil if it is not the first one to fire. I use 44 caliber gas checks as they are about .450-452 diameter, so they are an easy roll crimp in my 45 Colt case. This seems to work well for me.
   

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2. Work perfectly on Lee 429-214 SWC

   Posted by Bob C. on Jun 30th 2020

   I bought these to try, and I was favorably impressed. A note: the bullets *must* be sized first (I use a Lyman Lubrisizer); the gas checks wouldn't snap on to the bullets as-cast. Although this adds a step (running the bullet w/gas check through the sizer again to seat the check) it's worth it to me to be able to use my existing Lee mold instead of buying a new mold especially for full-power "social" (or hunting) loads. I haven't fired any yet, but the gas checks are tight and smooth, just like "normal" checks, and I expect no more problems than with any other gas-checked cast bullets. I was only able to buy 100 (out of stock for more), but I'll be buying them again after I test these if they work as well as expected.

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3. Saved my favorite bullet

   Posted by Greg Ashley on Mar 8th 2020

   A plain based bullet that I had shot for years suddenly started leading with no change in powder or load. After some research I found the manufacturer had changed the formula of the powder I had used all those years. I tried several other powders with no success, my pet load for my 44 mag was gone and I had a five gallon bucket half full of the bullets cast and ready to load.
   I ran across the aluminum gas checks for plain base bullets in an e-mail from Sage Outdoors and thought what the hay I'll give 'em a try.
   When I received my order I checked, sized, and lubed a few, and loaded them over a powder charge I knew would lead a barrel with 6 rounds. Much to my delight no lead after 18 rounds. I haven't had time to try to duplicate my old favorite load for velocity and accuracy but I have high hopes my old deer load is back.
   Many thanks to Sage Outdoors.

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4. Lee 429-200RF in 1894 Marlin

   Posted by Kenneth Green on Sep 26th 2018

   Bought 250 of these some months back to try on the Lee 429-200RF in 1894 Marlin 44. Could not get them on using Lee sizer either nose first or base first without ripping the check apart. Read the reply by Sage about polishing sizer. I chucked the sizer in Bridgeport collet and polished sizer chamfer lead-in surfaces with some HF assortment sand paper. First used 500 wrapped around a small dowel then 1200. Tried installing checks again with check entering sizer first and now works quite nicely. Just be sure to push check all the way flush with bullet base before pushing through sizer. Loaded some with 2400 today crimped in second groove using Lyman 4th edition 44mag rifle starting load for 210gn . Very pleased as no leading whatsoever.. Three rounds key holing at 25 yards on paper & smoked two fist size rocks without a miss out of my garden at 70-75 yards with open sights. Will buy these again next time I buy copper gators which are great.

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5. They work well on some plain base bullets

   Posted by John from MD on Sep 4th 2018

   These work well on some plain base bullets but not at all on others. A couple of my molds have no problem putting them on in a Saeco lubrisizer but a couple rip the check apart. Those that work slide through with no problem and shoot well.
   
   I haven't played with them enough to see what the issue is but I would try a sample before buying 1000.

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6. Problems with Plain base gc

   Posted by Jerry Greenslade on Jun 20th 2018

   Had to adapt Lee sizing die to seat GC needed to increase taper then worked well.

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7. works great

   Posted by Unknown on Mar 29th 2018

   Works great on 230 grain .452 sized down to .429. Fewer keyhole shots and more accuracy, tighter groups at 25yards.

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8. 44 mag plain base gas check

   Posted by Unknown on Jan 19th 2018

   These are not a cure-all for putting a gas check on plain base. It requires some adaptive work to your sizing die, and bullets must be cast into cold water to shrink them down. Big fat soft Bullets won’t go through with the gas check. I was able to put them on 143 grain and 165 grain bullets that were hardened and shrunk in this way. This will work if you know how to do it and your patient. That said this was just my experience yours may be better

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9. zero barrel leading

   Posted by Doug on Dec 5th 2016

   These gas checks are the perfect answer to lead bullets with plain bases. I press them on using a .431 die and they fit exactly the way I had hoped. Great product and I WILL be ordering more.
   
   
   

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10. Luv them boolits!

    Posted by Anthony on Aug 4th 2016

    These plain base gas checks are the coolest things since metallic cartridge cases. Getting them on requires a bit of TLC since they are thin and the bullets weren't designed for them. But the results are amazing. No lead on the bore even when pushed hard. Velocity I never dreamed of AND good accuracy.
    

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