JonB
Halcyon member
a few weeks back fiver mentions BFB.
Their website says they can make a Gas Check Maker die to produce a gas check to commercial specifications, however, you have the ability to choose the material thickness that provides the best fit for your particular cast bullet.
SAY WHAT! I thought to myself. A custom GC maker?
Below is a photo of 10 samples of various 6.5mm gas checks I've asked "small shop" gas check sellers (who also make their own GCs) to make for my FAT 6.5mm cast rifle bullets...btw, nine of them don't work, only one is workable but is a pain to run through a Lyman Lubesizer. So, I am thinking that maybe, I found a solution to this problem of mine and for the price they charge, I knew it was worth the gamble.
So, I contact Blair at BFB.
I tell him via email/text type messages, that I want a custom FAT 6.5 GC maker die. I tell him the GC shank of my bullet from NOE 270-149-RN measures .245" and I size the bullet to .270 for my oversize 6.5mm barrel and I plan to use .012 copper. He said he could do this, and suggested a slightly thicker material, but the .012 is a good place to start, and it will be take about 3 weeks to make and I could pay for it then. Now let it be known this is a concise version our our lengthy conversation, I am just including the important bits.
.
Now honestly, I've talked to machinists in the reloading world before, and I am rarely able to get my thoughts across without drawings, so they understand me. I usually blame the machinist, but we all know the problem is likely me. BUT, in this case, I was pleasantly surprised, Blair seemed to know exactly what I was asking for and our conversation led me to believe I was gonna get exactly what I was asking for.
.
Tuesday, 3/19 (about 3 1/2 weeks from when I ordered it) I get a email from Blair, he said I should have the GC maker on Friday. He says if I wish to pay, send the funds via paypal or he can send a invoice. So, I sent $73 US via paypal. The Die arrived yesterday (Thursday).
.
I unboxed it, looks like this.
The machining work on the die is nothing less than fantastic, excellent fit and polished finish. It's feels so smooth, it almost slipped out of my hand when I put it in my press. Blair sent a few sample GCs, .012 alum and .012 brass shim stock. I mic'd them and they are .272" OD ...that is a nice number for me. I installed one each onto a couple unsized bullets. They slid right on, but were snug. I ran them through my Lyman 45 with .270 sizer die. The GC seats nice a square and crimps on pretty tight. GCs stay on, but can be forced off with finger nail (not easily I might add), which I find is kind of typical with DIY GCs. I really couldn't ask for any better, I am very happy.
The Next thing I did, which was not in the instructions, was to clean excess oil from the inside of cutting die, then coat inside with Dry Lube. A little trick Charles Darnel told me with my FCIII GC die that he made. It helps the GCs fall freely out of the die and not get bunched up and jammed.
Here are the included instructions.
I installed the Die in my inverted Lee classic cast press.
I adjusted the handle for a pushing down motion to lower the ram to cut/form the copper...I also extended the handle for max leverage as this takes some force. The sample .012 alum cut easier than the 0.3mm Chinese copper I ordered, I calculated it would be .0115" but this copper measures .013" I may have to anneal it, I'll experiment with that in the future.
Continued on next post.
...
About BFB - BFB Machine Works
About BFB Machine Works BFB Machine Works is a manual machine shop that also specializes in the production of custom tooling for the reloading enthusiast.We serve our Gas Check Maker customers through our website and various e-commerce platforms. We are located in Calgary Alberta in Western Canada
bfbmachineworks.com
Their website says they can make a Gas Check Maker die to produce a gas check to commercial specifications, however, you have the ability to choose the material thickness that provides the best fit for your particular cast bullet.
SAY WHAT! I thought to myself. A custom GC maker?
Below is a photo of 10 samples of various 6.5mm gas checks I've asked "small shop" gas check sellers (who also make their own GCs) to make for my FAT 6.5mm cast rifle bullets...btw, nine of them don't work, only one is workable but is a pain to run through a Lyman Lubesizer. So, I am thinking that maybe, I found a solution to this problem of mine and for the price they charge, I knew it was worth the gamble.
So, I contact Blair at BFB.
I tell him via email/text type messages, that I want a custom FAT 6.5 GC maker die. I tell him the GC shank of my bullet from NOE 270-149-RN measures .245" and I size the bullet to .270 for my oversize 6.5mm barrel and I plan to use .012 copper. He said he could do this, and suggested a slightly thicker material, but the .012 is a good place to start, and it will be take about 3 weeks to make and I could pay for it then. Now let it be known this is a concise version our our lengthy conversation, I am just including the important bits.
.
Now honestly, I've talked to machinists in the reloading world before, and I am rarely able to get my thoughts across without drawings, so they understand me. I usually blame the machinist, but we all know the problem is likely me. BUT, in this case, I was pleasantly surprised, Blair seemed to know exactly what I was asking for and our conversation led me to believe I was gonna get exactly what I was asking for.
.
Tuesday, 3/19 (about 3 1/2 weeks from when I ordered it) I get a email from Blair, he said I should have the GC maker on Friday. He says if I wish to pay, send the funds via paypal or he can send a invoice. So, I sent $73 US via paypal. The Die arrived yesterday (Thursday).
.
I unboxed it, looks like this.
The machining work on the die is nothing less than fantastic, excellent fit and polished finish. It's feels so smooth, it almost slipped out of my hand when I put it in my press. Blair sent a few sample GCs, .012 alum and .012 brass shim stock. I mic'd them and they are .272" OD ...that is a nice number for me. I installed one each onto a couple unsized bullets. They slid right on, but were snug. I ran them through my Lyman 45 with .270 sizer die. The GC seats nice a square and crimps on pretty tight. GCs stay on, but can be forced off with finger nail (not easily I might add), which I find is kind of typical with DIY GCs. I really couldn't ask for any better, I am very happy.
The Next thing I did, which was not in the instructions, was to clean excess oil from the inside of cutting die, then coat inside with Dry Lube. A little trick Charles Darnel told me with my FCIII GC die that he made. It helps the GCs fall freely out of the die and not get bunched up and jammed.
Here are the included instructions.
I installed the Die in my inverted Lee classic cast press.
I adjusted the handle for a pushing down motion to lower the ram to cut/form the copper...I also extended the handle for max leverage as this takes some force. The sample .012 alum cut easier than the 0.3mm Chinese copper I ordered, I calculated it would be .0115" but this copper measures .013" I may have to anneal it, I'll experiment with that in the future.
Continued on next post.
...
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