Guns and Ammo Thread

[almostgone]

I was trying to get their powder-coated cast bullets (just the projectiles). Eventually, I got what I needed, but it took forever. And quality-wise I would say I got exactly what I was expecting with them. They didn't look visibly unbalanced or anything. My 1911 liked them, but I should've spent more money and got them from somewhere else.

Falcon Bullet used to sell polymer coated cast lead bullets and were good to deal with. When there was so much problems getting lead, the owner closed down, but they're back open now.

For cast bullets I've used Falcon and Missouri for quite some time, but I haven't dealt with Falcon since they reopened. I'm not sure if the same owner has it or if he sold it?

[Honkey_Kong]

Falcon Bullet used to sell polymer coated cast lead bullets and were good to deal with. When there was so much problems getting lead, the owner closed down, but they're back open now.

For cast bullets I've used Falcon and Missouri for quite some time, but I haven't dealt with Falcon since they reopened. I'm not sure if the same owner has it or if he sold it?

I haven't ever used Falcon before, but I did look at they say it's the same company just under new ownership (which usually means they're going to eventually tweak with what they make for good or bad). Missouri makes pretty decent cast bullets though. I've never heard anybody complain about their quality. Yeah in 2020, everybody was buying every box of ammo available in addition to governments increasing their orders, so I understand supply issues became a big thing then. I was just upset with the customer service (or lack of) that Bayou did.

But yeah for anybody who likes to shoot or likes to handload, cast bullets are the economical way to go. With the polymer and powder coatings, leading of barrells really isn't much of a thing (still happens but very little of it and you can clean it out with a wired barrel brush).

In fact if you're using a reproduction revolver (like an 1858 Remington Army) converted to 45LC or 38SP, cast bullets with cowboy-load charges should be the only things you shoot out of them. They can't handle the pressures that standard modern cartridges have.

[almostgone]

I haven't ever used Falcon before, but I did look at they say it's the same company just under new ownership (which usually means they're going to eventually tweak with what they make for good or bad). Missouri makes pretty decent cast bullets though. I've never heard anybody complain about their quality. Yeah in 2020, everybody was buying every box of ammo available in addition to governments increasing their orders, so I understand supply issues became a big thing then. I was just upset with the customer service (or lack of) that Bayou did.

But yeah for anybody who likes to shoot or likes to handload, cast bullets are the economical way to go. With the polymer and powder coatings, leading of barrells really isn't much of a thing (still happens but very little of it and you can clean it out with a wired barrel brush).

In fact if you're using a reproduction revolver (like an 1858 Remington Army) converted to 45LC or 38SP, cast bullets with cowboy-load charges should be the only things you shoot out of them. They can't handle the pressures that standard modern cartridges have.

I mainly shoot 9mm and .45ACP. There are spells where(if I have time) I will load and shoot through quite a decent quantity of ammo. So, I generally shoot lead and basic loads using W231 or the like.

For my jacketed HP rounds, I'm spoiled and pay the extra for Vihtavuori.

Pretty sure I've posted this pic before, but this is an old defunct dorm room type refrigerator that I keep stocked. It doesn't look like there's that much there, but I've got is stacked deep.

[Honkey_Kong]

I mainly shoot 9mm and .45ACP. There are spells where(if I have time) I will load and shoot through quite a decent quantity of ammo. So, I generally shoot lead and basic loads using W231 or the like.

For my jacketed HP rounds, I'm spoiled and pay the extra for Vihtavuori.

Pretty sure I've posted this pic before, but this is an old defunct dorm room type refrigerator that I keep stocked. It doesn't look like there's that much there, but I've got is stacked deep.

Damn Lyman dies? Those are pretty nice. Most of my calibers are with Lee dies. They're good enough and meet the specs. I've heard they wear out quickly, but I've been generous with the lube so I've never had one wear out after thousands of handloads.

Normally, with jacketed pistol rounds, I like to use Power Pistol. But a lot of times lately, for cast rounds, I've been using WST (mostly because my local store keeps it in stock).

[almostgone]

Damn Lyman dies? Those are pretty nice. Most of my calibers are with Lee dies. They're good enough and meet the specs. I've heard they wear out quickly, but I've been generous with the lube so I've never had one wear out after thousands of handloads.

Normally, with jacketed pistol rounds, I like to use Power Pistol. But a lot of times lately, for cast rounds, I've been using WST (mostly because my local store keeps it in stock).

Yes sir, I learned with Lyman dies and have just stuck with them. I have a Lyman T-Mag turret press and a Redding Big Boss single stage press.
2 Lyman 55 powder measures. One for pistol powders and one for rifle powders....I know, lol, I'm weird like that.

[Honkey_Kong]

Yes sir, I learned with Lyman dies and have just stuck with them. I have a Lyman T-Mag turret press and a Redding Big Boss single stage press.
2 Lyman 55 powder measures. One for pistol powders and one for rifle powders....I know, lol, I'm weird like that.

I've been using the Lee powder measure I've had since I got in to it. If you don't know how to tap the base of the measure, it won't pour the right amount in to the casing. If I give it 4 good taps when you raise the lever up to fill the base, it's pretty close within .1 grains (according to my measure). If you don't do that or if you tap top much, I've been as many as 3 grains off before. Which for a rifle load doesn't make much difference, but for pistols it's a huge difference.

Also I've found the measure is more difficult to get to work properly if you're using flat flakes of powder like in shotgun powders.

[almostgone]

I've been using the Lee powder measure I've had since I got in to it. If you don't know how to tap the base of the measure, it won't pour the right amount in to the casing. If I give it 4 good taps when you raise the lever up to fill the base, it's pretty close within .1 grains (according to my measure). If you don't do that or if you tap top much, I've been as many as 3 grains off before. Which for a rifle load doesn't make much difference, but for pistols it's a huge difference.

Also I've found the measure is more difficult to get to work properly if you're using flat flakes of powder like in shotgun powders.

Yes sir, once you develop a method to give a consistent charge, stick with it. For me, I cycle the knocker 3 times every charge. If it's been a while since I loaded, I throw a charge and weight it. Then I'll throw 10 more individual charges and check that last one. After that I spot check as long as I'm still on the same lot # of powder and haven't changed anything.

Flake powder can be a pain to meter properly. If I had to deal with it a lot, I'd probably consider a trickler.

[almostgone]

I've been using the Lee powder measure I've had since I got in to it. If you don't know how to tap the base of the measure, it won't pour the right amount in to the casing. If I give it 4 good taps when you raise the lever up to fill the base, it's pretty close within .1 grains (according to my measure). If you don't do that or if you tap top much, I've been as many as 3 grains off before. Which for a rifle load doesn't make much difference, but for pistols it's a huge difference.

Also I've found the measure is more difficult to get to work properly if you're using flat flakes of powder like in shotgun powders.

If you get the chance, buy a pound of Vihtavuori that is appropriate for the caliber you're loading. It's not the cheapest, so that's why I reserve it for my defensive loads. The reduction in muzzle flash from Vihtavuori compared to most other powders is noticeable.