Are there such things as snap on gas checks? I bought some Oregon Trail 170gr. 30 caliber bullets that seem to have a place for a gas check on their bases. I don't have a sizer/lubricator to attach gas checks. Is there a tool I could buy to do that (other than a $100 tool), or should I just shoot them as is?

Lee builds a 12 $ sizer that will place them for you. Depending on the bullet, some can be pushed on. I have better luck placeing some checks from "certain " molds than others. My 357 and 30-30 are the hardest. 45-70, 444, and 356 the easiest.

The Lee sizer fits on your press.

Get the Lee Sizer. Been using one for years. The gas checks are crimped on as the bullet is pushed thru from the base. Best system I have ever used and not much money. It goes on your reloading press and stores in its own box when your done. Use the liquid alox per instructions before sizing and again after sizing. Great stuff. by the way all the gas checks I have ever used need to be crimped on with a sizer.

Get the Lee Sizer. Been using one for years. The gas checks are crimped on as the bullet is pushed thru from the base. Best system I have ever used and not much money. It goes on your reloading press and stores in its own box when your done. Use the liquid alox per instructions before sizing and again after sizing. Great stuff. by the way all the gas checks I have ever used need to be crimped on with a sizer.
Right about that...they are slightly flared..something like .330-336" diameter at the mouth of the check.

If you are going to use them for any kind of load above 1200-1400fps, they re going to need those gas checks.

Now...there ae bevel based molds, and that bevel base can look a bit like a gas check base. Don't know that particular company's bullet, and it may just be a bevel base.

Are a couple of reasons for a bevel base...but in this case, belive the automatic casting machines just work better when there are no sharp corners in the mold to hang up the bullet dropping free.

Get the Lee Sizer. Been using one for years. The gas checks are crimped on as the bullet is pushed thru from the base. Best system I have ever used and not much money. It goes on your reloading press and stores in its own box when your done. Use the liquid alox per instructions before sizing and again after sizing. Great stuff. by the way all the gas checks I have ever used need to be crimped on with a sizer.

The bullets are already lubed from the factory, so wouldn't think I should lube them again, would I? I just need to attach the gas checks.

If I were you, I would go ahead and order the .309 Lee sizer. I have one of these and special ordered a .311. It works better in my Marlins. My guess is that the bullets are already sized .309, and then use the lube (alox) that comes with them. It will improve their performance.

If I were you, I would go ahead and order the .309 Lee sizer. I have one of these and special ordered a .311. It works better in my Marlins. My guess is that the bullets are already sized .309, and then use the lube (alox) that comes with them. It will improve their performance.

The box says the bullets are sized to .310, so should I get the .309 or the .311 sizer?

To tell you the truth, when I was out to the range on Sunday, I was shooting 2" groups at 100 yards with the bullets with three different reduced loads using Unique, 2400, and HS-6. No gas checks. However, the bore did seem to have some lead fouling, but was easily removed with an Outer's Foul Out system. I guess gas checks would reduce some of that fouling.

Its certainly all about attaining whatever goal you have. The slower loads are great for practice and general target work. They may deliver the performance you want. If so, I see no reason to pursue the crimping of the gas check. As you indicated, they are for increased performance (velocity), and accuracy. Crimping on of gas checks is a real drag to some. Skip it if you can and it does not make any difference to you. I unfortunately have about 500 .309 sized 170gr. Mid Kan bullets that are bevel based. The attainable accuracy with these and any acccuracy was about 1300fps. I prefer a bit more accuracy and velocity, so I went the route of making my own with gas checks. Buying them with gas checks is nearly like buying jacketed bullets. The sizing thing is more of an individual rifle thing.

The more we play with it, the more we want. :cool: