Arlight, here's my report:
I loaded up to 4.5 at various OALs. Brass ejecting fine after 4.3 and from my unscientific observations, noticing no flat primers or brass damage. But the problem is, slide still not locking back. Various OAL from 1.090 to 1.120 @ 4.4. No noticeable difference. I loaded a few at 4.5, 1.120 and no noticeable difference.
I'm noticing absolutely no primers being flattened. I don't think I want to go over 4.5 because no manuals are telling me or anyone else here appears to not exceed 4.5 with W231. However, I don't see any pressure signs. I think I'll seat bullets slightly deeper starting from 4.2 b/c that's when the brass started ejecting.
Now as for my cast bullets.
They lock my slide above 3.8. There's not much OAL to work with since I think it needs to be seated above the micro rings (Lee TL-356-124-TC). At 4.0, I'm starting to notice flat primers. At 4.1. They're FLAT! LOL! Between 3.8-3.9, I might be seeing a tiny hint of flat primers. Hard to tell, so I think it's good. Fortunately, I took one's advice here and loaded up 3 rounds for sketchy loads. I just need to pull less than 20rds this time.
As for firing cast bullets. Oh yeah, it produces smoke. So it looks like I did lube it enough. I didn't look like I lubed enough but I'm pretty sure I did. But one thing I'm conerend about is the smoke (more so lead vapours - primers and bullets). It lingers a bit in my indoor range in front of my face. There's something fishy about the ventilation or maybe it's just me. The facilities is suppose to be start of the art and is about 2 years old. I hear the fans, but I don't feel any draft to boot!
So, after firing various loads with my cast lead bullets. I think around 30rds, I understand how to spot a leaded barrel. Looks like I removed most of it with after quick soaking in Hoppes 9 and minimal brushing.
I loaded up to 4.5 at various OALs. Brass ejecting fine after 4.3 and from my unscientific observations, noticing no flat primers or brass damage. But the problem is, slide still not locking back. Various OAL from 1.090 to 1.120 @ 4.4. No noticeable difference. I loaded a few at 4.5, 1.120 and no noticeable difference.
I'm noticing absolutely no primers being flattened. I don't think I want to go over 4.5 because no manuals are telling me or anyone else here appears to not exceed 4.5 with W231. However, I don't see any pressure signs. I think I'll seat bullets slightly deeper starting from 4.2 b/c that's when the brass started ejecting.
Now as for my cast bullets.
They lock my slide above 3.8. There's not much OAL to work with since I think it needs to be seated above the micro rings (Lee TL-356-124-TC). At 4.0, I'm starting to notice flat primers. At 4.1. They're FLAT! LOL! Between 3.8-3.9, I might be seeing a tiny hint of flat primers. Hard to tell, so I think it's good. Fortunately, I took one's advice here and loaded up 3 rounds for sketchy loads. I just need to pull less than 20rds this time.
As for firing cast bullets. Oh yeah, it produces smoke. So it looks like I did lube it enough. I didn't look like I lubed enough but I'm pretty sure I did. But one thing I'm conerend about is the smoke (more so lead vapours - primers and bullets). It lingers a bit in my indoor range in front of my face. There's something fishy about the ventilation or maybe it's just me. The facilities is suppose to be start of the art and is about 2 years old. I hear the fans, but I don't feel any draft to boot!
So, after firing various loads with my cast lead bullets. I think around 30rds, I understand how to spot a leaded barrel. Looks like I removed most of it with after quick soaking in Hoppes 9 and minimal brushing.
