Thinking of going to Gas Check bullets. I shoot a lot of lead and want to reduce leading. Please give me your thoughts. I have a 460 S&W 14" that I would like to shoot lead in.

I use Hornady gas checks behind the 38 spec #358156 and 44spl/44mag #429215
no leading EVER


john

For plain base bullets a Pat Marlins gas check maker is what I use. He'll make you wait for it but the results are good. If you are using bevel base bullets, Hornady gas checks work fine. I crimp them on using a Lee lube and sizing kit. I only gas check 1k fps and above in .356 and .357. Same checks work for both.

I'd certainly consider using a gas check @ .460 velocities.
I use them in all my magnum (and .45 Colt) "hunting loads".

I use gas check lead bullets for my hot .38-44 loads, .357 loads, some .44 Spl. and Mag loads, and for my .32-20 rifle loads. No leading whatsoever.

I also found out that by using straight plain based lead bullets instead of bevel based ones, leading is reduced to next to nothing if you watch your velocities.

I use checks in almost all of my rifle loads. The theory is that leading in the front of the bbl is fit and in the rear lack of lube. If it is throughout the bbl it is hardness or support. When you recover bullets do they show signs of stripping?

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Front sight and squeeze

Silly question. How do you know when you have excessive leading? I don't intensionally, I love spell check, shoot hot loads but don't use a chrono either. What are you looking for?

How long did he make you wait? I've heard tales of him stretching things out for several months. I was going to order from him when he first announced the tools, but I swear the guys were waiting for a year to get their tools.

Haven't I seen where people complain about the compensator getting clogged when using lead bullets in the "X" guns? My 500 has two comps (the removable comp.). Does yours have the the fixed or removable comp.?

My experience as well. BB are easier for the commercial bullet casters and expedite bullet seating to some extent, but that bevel does tend to act like a GC bullet without the check. The "funneling" effect of the powder gas at that point will exacerbate blow-by and contribute to leading, with the faster/hotter powders being the most likely to be a problem.

As an alternative to gas checks, I've used .060" Walters Wads with some heavier loads and BB bullets in .44 Special and .357 with good results, but it is easier (for me anyway) to stick with PB bullets for the most part.

The compensator is fixed.

About 6 weeks as l recall. This is seemingly typical with the garage type businesses. Tyler T grip, and M-P molds come to mind. I will say mine works as promised.

I was going to say it shouldn't be needed as I shoot plain base .44 magnum with minimal leading at worst but I don't know how high the pressure is on X frame loads. Given the option I would look at still getting a plain base mold and if you get the check maker then use the plain base version as everything I read on them says they work just as well. Then you can still shoot lesser loads and not worry about the checks.

Nothing seems to keep my gas in check. Ask my wife.