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I'm looking for PLATED, 40 cal SWC bullets. 155 gr or 165 gr preferred. I've seen 'em loaded in LE practice ammo. So I know they existed at some point. Plated only. Lead is not allowed at the range I'm loading for and I know where I can find them. Again, plated only. Thanks Phil

Which is more critical to accuracy and why? Does type of bullet (lead vs jacketed) make a difference? I'm asking because I have a Smith Model 25 in .45 Colt. A .451 bullet passes easily through the throats.

Frequently, people mention that a gun for sale has a box. What, if anything is that worth? I'm looking at a nice Smith N-frame. It comes with the box. What does this do for me?

I'm to the point where I'd like to get some velocity data AND would like a timer to help practice sessions. The Pact MkIV is a nice multi-function timer with a basic chrono function. A buddy of mine said to get the factory sky screen bracket so spacing is precise. That makes sense. I have never...

Today I saw my first Colt 1917 45 Auto Rim revolver, 4 or 5 inch barrel. It seems to be mechanically sound, cosmetically rough. No rust or pitting, blue almost gone. Grips are pretty beat. It comes with several hundred cases, all of them webbed, 100 of them brand new, a bunch of half-moon clips...

Being new(ish) to reloading, I constantly run into unfamiliar terms. The newest one is "small base" dies. What are they and when do you use 'em? Thanks, Phil

There was a crummy little gun show today. I went because I needed primers and there's always a vendor who sells 'em for 30% less than the store. Was not even going to look at guns. Sigh . . . I now own a S&W Model 14-3, 6". Serial number is 8K76xxx. It's been shot some and the bluing is a...

MIM keeps coming up in S&W threads. Being new to S&W revolvers (actually new to hand guns), I don't know what MIM means. My guess is it refers to an injection molding process. Thread references tend to be negative. What are the problems with MIM parts? Do we not like them because we don't like...

I'm looking at a Smith 696 44 special, 3 inch barrel. It looks to be in good shape. This gun interests me because I like the 44 special round and I already own a 686. The idea of an L frame 44 really appeals to me. I know a these were made for a few years in the late 90's but little else. What's...

Today was a typical Western Oregon December day: fairly dark and turning wet. Good day for the indoor range. Took one of my newer (to me) guns, an older full size Witness, .45 ACP, stainless. ('93 vintage, really . . . stainless). I bought the gun a few months ago because I was looking for a...

My .45 ACP reloads have not been feeding well through a Witness full size .45. Usually failure-to-feed, sometimes failure to extract. No problems at all with factory ammo. I'm using a Dillon Square Deal B w/ their proprietary dies. It seems the sizing die isn't doing a great job. Die marks on...

I loaded Laser Cast 146 grain lead DEWC over 3.2 grains of Bullseye in .38 Spl R-P brass. Yesterday, I shot them at the range. The cloud of smoke was impressive, to say the least. After shooting 96 of 'em, my revolver was filthy. Is this normal for all lead, or just Laser Cast? Or, is there...

Loaded and shot my first 44 specials today. Used PMC brass, Winchester Large Pistol primers, 4.5 gr of Bullseye, and a 240 gr Ranier plated HP. They shot really nicely. Grouped well at 25 yards (max distance at the range) with a very acceptable recoil. Will try a little lighter next week. The...

I just purchased a 6-year-old S&W 629-4. I like the way it shoots and feel the price was right. I also own a 686-3. Where can I learn about all the changes made with each rev? Smith's web site doesn't have this info. Please point me in the right direction. Thanks, Phil

. . . and why. I'm looking at .44 Mags. I'd like stainless steel, 6 inch (or longer) barrel, double action. Today I rented a Ruger Redhawk and put 50 rounds down range. Big fun! The shop has a good used one w/ a 7.5 inch barrel for $430. A friend has Smith & Wesson 629 "Classic" for a similar...