I'm sorry to add to your load but once you've shot an ROA ,IMO, there is just no substitute. I have fallen under its spell and have done the following....
'm sorry....I have a SS 5-1/2" ROA and I have everything in the world to it....and I shoot it all the time. I must have 500 rounds through it since it's last iteration. That's a lot when you consider how long it takes to load using a loader (I use a Dick Dastardly loader). I guess it doesn't matter what it's worth with all that I've done. Sorry for such a long post....I didn't realize how long this list would be.
I have to remind myself what I've done to it.
1. Lee's action job
a) opened up forcing cone
b) Trued up barrel face
c) Lee's spring
d) Removed goofy warning label on the barrel
2. Clements
a) Bisley SS hammer
b) Deepened cylinders
c) Angled and serrated front site. I put some high visibility
gold paint on that stays really well in the serrations.When I
use my amber shooting glasses, this little trick that
Clements told me about works great!
3. Power Custom
a) Colt SS billet grip frame (installed by Clements)
b) hammer and trigger shims. Took all the slop and wiggle out
hammer and trigger. Trigger breaks like glass now.
4. Paul Persinger black grips with a blind SS screw. This
fits the gun flawlessly and look even better. He cut
them to fit my big mitts better.
a) I just added the plastic spacer and filed it to a perfect fit. This really seems to protect the grips from over tightening the screw and damaging the threads on it or the grips.
5. Classicballistx cylinder.
a) The ones I have fit spot on and have no warning labels.
6. I've tried all kinds of nipples and the ones I found work really well are:
a) Slixshot from Cowboybullets.com. That extra horizontal hole seems to ignite the triple 7 loads a bit better.
b) Treso's work great too.
c) Blomquist work just as well as the Treso's and you can use a nut driver on them.
7. I also have a Kirst Konverter. Works great when I want to shoot 45LC that I can spit out of my Dillon at alarming rates
8. Belt mountain cylinder pin to use with my Kirst. Perfect fit. I wish they would make a quick release cylinder pin.
I use Triple 7 mostly but have all the B/P substitutes as well as true black. T7 shoots the cleanest.
I also prefer RWS 1075+ caps. Remington #11's are a good second for fit but have a far weaker spark.
I use BigLube molds, both 150gr and 210gr. I had the first three cavities of each mold modified by Hollow Point Mold Service. They have very large hollow points in the BigLube 210gr HP. Eric does fantastic work. The 210 HP is my most accurate with about 40gr of triple 7. I can get 45 gr under it and still get acceptable accuracy. Recoil is nice and stiff. I only shoot this pistol with one hand, just like they did when they were in use. A two handed stance seems unnatural now. I use my RCBS lubrisizer to lube and size to .454. I use no external lubes or wads.
I have several handles. Lee's are just too fragile. I use MiHec handles. They work great. I also use KAL which are really nice. I also tried a set of locking handles from Carbine Tree. They work great on smaller molds but won't fit the big cavity molds. I will fix that shortly by welding a small section in. When I get that done I suspect they will help casting bullets with a bit more consistently.
In its current rendition and loads, I never get any leading in the barrel, it's far more accurate than I am. It's very reliable if I follow my loading protocols. It doesn't foul up enough for me to stop and have to clean it. I have shot a string of 50 round and while a bit filthy, it never offered to stop, jam or crud up.
AND I STILL CLEAN IT IN THE DISHWASHER!
