Ganders Powerbelt Gas seal

frontier gander · 07-25-2008, 03:40 PM

I was getting some stuff together and was looking at the plastic base at the end of my 295s and noticed how flexy they were and got to thinking about the .45 and the skirt issue where the center blows out.

I took the black sabot thats supplied with an XTP. cut of the pedals and filed/sandpapered the face of the gas seal smooth and drilled my hole.

Powerbelt slipped right in smoothly, comes off smooth.

These are really thick gas seals and should allow more pressure to build up due to the thick gas seal. I will know for sure how they do as i am making one more before i head out to the range "When rain storm is over"

If they do good i am going to invest in one of those small cheapie Harborfreight tools drill presses so i can experiment a little more with this "new" gas seal.

Next up I am going to find something where i can make an new Aerotip but with a shaft that has swirls to hold the bullet together on impact.
I am thinking of finding a copper or brass shaft that i can mill down "By hand

" and then shape the Aerotip.

I'll post the target results when i shoot them.

Edit: Just loaded the omega is it loads easier than the original skirt but i can feel the harder/thicker plastic biting into the rifling as i push it down the bore.

cayugad · 07-25-2008, 03:43 PM

pretty cool.. it will be interesting to see how it shoots with them.

frontier gander · 07-25-2008, 04:37 PM

Ok going to go out and shoot now that it has stopped raining. Have all the new bases put on and the rifle loaded.

Cayugad, I had my nephew make a wooden frame for me to tape my targets too and i will put that in front of my sand bucket and shoot through the wood and then into the sand to see how the bullet looks afterward.

I'll post the pics as soon as i get done. if i hit the target with that new base

frontier gander · 07-25-2008, 05:59 PM

Finger Points to #1 shot on clean barrel. Second shot hit him in the back of the head! Not sure what the heck i did there. #3 grouped with the first shot. I am going to buy more Powerbelts as soon as some people start paying for the parts they bought.
Bullets mushroomed a lot more but i did not have the damp sand as i did the other day. Bone dry today.

I would have had 3 bullets to show but the darn cat knocked over the log that i had the other bullet on and it went off into some thick brush [:@]
Both of these bullets weigh 20 grams, same weight as a brand new one. Both held center mass.

LaneNebraska · 07-25-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

I was getting some stuff together and was looking at the plastic base at the end of my 295s and noticed how flexy they were and got to thinking about the .45 and the skirt issue where the center blows out.

Gander

IMHO you are searching for a solution to a Non-Existant problem

The 45cal PB seals-Blown out or frayed like a Hula-Skirt, make no difference what so ever to the accuracy or bullet speed. The higher pressures inherent with the 45cal rifles, upset/obturate the PB instantly. Even with just 50-60 grains of ANY powder. That little "Halo" of yellow seal that just barely circles the bottom "Post" is of no concern.

Even the newer 45cal 300g Platinums, with the new flexible seal, almost always has a Halo of seal that stays stuck to the post. 45 cal PowerBelts really just use the Seals to hold the bullet from falling out of the bore. And just for a momentary gas seal prior to obturation. Once that soft lead fills those groves, that's all the gas seal you'll ever need

frontier gander · 07-25-2008, 06:17 PM

With the 270 platinums i shot with 100g powder, that little piece of plastic that did break away and stayed attached to the bullet, made a huge difference when the bullet impacted! I had some bullets that were starting to show through because of the plastic cutting into the lead on impact. I will see if i can find those pictures.

oldsmellhound · 07-26-2008, 10:47 AM

That's pretty interesting and inventive. Have you ever put in a job application to be a design engineer at the Powerbelt factory?

Sounds like a lot of fun, and hey - maybe you'll discover the next breakthrough in bullet design

Johnmorris · 07-26-2008, 06:45 PM

I wonder if that is the only Gas seal Gander needs may have to talk to his camp mates or wife.[:'(]

frontier gander · 07-26-2008, 07:25 PM

Boy lately gas isnt the problem. More like, slowly let out that fart or else you may end up with something worse in your pants

Johnmorris · 07-26-2008, 08:39 PM

Well the saying is After 50 never trust a fart and never pass a toilet! [:-][:@]