I recently acquired a 4" Smith 15-3. I like the little pistol awfully well and plan on making it kind of a go-to kind of gun (carry under a jacket, trail gun, delivering the coup de grace to trapped hogs).
I've tried some Lee 158 RF's (I like the profile of this bullet a lot) on top of 4.2 grains of Unique. It seems a little anemic and speeds were sort of erratic over my chrony (from 620-750). I was planning on upping the next batch to 4.5, I don't really want to get into +P territory, but I want all I can get. I know it's a question with a LOT of variables, but how high can I go, either charge-wise OR velocity wise. Also, I have H-Universal and 2400 on hand if anyone has any good loads with either of those two.
Back to the 158 RF's, I love the profile and was thinking about a 6 cavity mold, but I HATE the bevel base, does anyone offer a reasonably priced service of removing the bevel base from Lee Molds?
I also have a Lyman 358129 on hand, been a while since I casted any with it, but I want to think it's a bit undersized (I remember a .358 sizer barely touches the sides) but if anyone has any good loads with the above powders for this bullet, I'd be glad to hear them.
I've never been wild about Smith's Magna grips, but the target models seem a bit too huge for this gun, especially for any kind of CC. Anyone have any opinions of the Tyler T grips? Do they install without drilling or altering the grip frame?
Lastly, leather. Looking for something belt carry, rides pretty high, strap or thumb break, maybe sort of a western look but practical. Thinking El Paso Saddlery 1920 or simply rugged 120? Opinions?
Thanks in advance!