After I got out of the Army, '68, I carried an S&W 1950 .45 Auto Rim, but in '72, I traded for my first .41, a OMBH (all there were then) with 4 5/8bbl. I got reloading dies with it, and don't remember ever shooting factory ammo from it. ('course I can't remember if I had eggs for breakfast)
I later started casting my own with an RCBS 210gr Keith SWC mold, and shot a 1/2ton of WWs through it and a later-bought M57 8 3/8". A divorce caused the Ruger to go.
I got flush again, and ordered the M57, but it was nickel, and that didn't make me happy. (that's just me, don't flame me for it. I'm not gonna change) I used it for silly-wet, but finally sold it to finance a shoot at an ATA Grand trap-shoot.
Went though several M57 4"ers, but was never happy...the guns, not the cartridge. Finally... the object of my eternal hopes. A used M57 6" at a price I could do. It's a -1, but I need a shooter/carrier. It's perf.
When I first got it, I had to send it back to Smith as the barrel had started to unscrew(the reason the price was right) Recently, I had to return it to Smith, again. I felt bad, so started having second thoughts about it's quality. Then, I counted backwards a bit and realized that I'd fired over 10k through it!
I have shot RCBS 210s made from WW, WW=2%tin, Lyman #2, Linotype, and Lyman #410610 made from the same alloys. I've had both molds hollowpointed in one side, so I now cast 4 different bullets from the 2 molds. I also cast Lee 240gr TL SWCs and Lyman #410639s which are 170gr TC, with the BB removed.
While I lived in Alaska, got into Steel-Challenge and couldn't afford a bottom feeder, so I found a deal on an M58, so I wouldn't have to buy more equipment. I was competitive because I know how to shoot, but I couldn'
t win because it's too hard to use speedloaders against magazines. I held my own, tho'.
After 15yrs, I traded the M58 for a downpayment on a new, killer, bottomfeeder, for a price I couldn't pass on for the Smith.
I'd gotten in on a group-buy for a pointed 170gr bullet that shucks through a speedloader like noone's business, and I was going to use it though next year, but....the best laid plans of mice and men...
I do plan to use the 6"er in Steel, but only because I want to shoot, and relate to the guys. I have no visions of granduer as to winning, the barrel is just to long!
I've used all these molds with all these alloys, AND a bunch of different lubes, from LLA, 45-45-10, most commercial examples, and several custom preps.
I've also used most primers, ie CCI300 and 350, Federal 150 and 155, Magtech #2 1/2, and RP #2 1/2, and WLP.
The significant part is that, since the Spring of 1985, most of my ammo has been fired over my Oehler M33 chronograph.
I've used just about ever powder out there, and I can't remember any powders I haven't used. (remember the eggs?) It's all written down, tho'...I'm looking at the logbooks, right now.
FWIW- I've used WW231 with 210cast from 6.0g (at 670fps) to 7.5gr (at 1050fps) from my 6". YMMV
I hope you'll accept me in the Association. If you'll accept my check, it's in the mail.
Have fun,
Gene