CHL Celebration

[patio]

Picked up my concealed handgun license from the sheriff last week. Decided to cast some bullets to celebrate. Pulled out this old Lyman mold that I picked up a few years back and gave it a try. Next is lubing and sizing. Would Lee liquid alox and a Lee .358 sizing die be a good choice?

Thank you in advance.

226165

[lightman]

Congratulations! I've had mine for a while and my Wife just got hers. I have mixed feelings about having to buy a license to do something that you have the right to do. But it gives you some creditability if you ever have an encounter with law enforcement.

[waco]

Size your bullets to be a snug slip fit through the cylinder throats. I prefer a traditional lube in the groove but one to two coats of LLA may suffice.

[Echo]

Try them as-cast to start with. If they are a sorta snug fit in the throat of your chambers, a TL will probably suffice, as the bbl will size them perfectly. I have had very good luck with TL'ing low intensity cartridges, even 9mm's, with no problems.

[fredj338]

Picked up my concealed handgun license from the sheriff last week. Decided to cast some bullets to celebrate. Pulled out this old Lyman mold that I picked up a few years back and gave it a try. Next is lubing and sizing. Would Lee liquid alox and a Lee .358 sizing die be a good choice?

Thank you in advance.

226165
A good start but consider coating instead. Nothing wrong with conventional lubes but the smoke is ridiculous & that is never good in a self def load.

[Thumbcocker]

Looks like a 358439. Great boolit but may hit a little high in a gun sighted for 158's. Keep us posted on how it does.

[popper]

I tried BLL with soft alloy and never could get good results, lube just blows off. PC works great.

[redhawk0]

I use LLA with 38 spl +P loads. I don't have any leading. I mix mine 60/40 with mineral spirits and put on two coats.

redhawk

[patio]

Looks like a 358439. Great boolit but may hit a little high in a gun sighted for 158's. Keep us posted on how it does.

It looks to be a 358429 that has been hollow-pointed; hence the designation 358439? Bullets weigh about 158 gr as cast.

[patio]

A good start but consider coating instead. Nothing wrong with conventional lubes but the smoke is ridiculous & that is never good in a self def load.

Have shot liquid alox over alox lubed bullets in a M1909 45 colt. Never noticed the smoke before but to be honest, I wasn't looking for smoke. I figure max shooting distance is about 15 ft. Past that there might be a problem justifying one's actions claiming self-defense.

[Wayne Smith]

Congratulations - now practice, practice, and practice. You can do it cheaply since you cast!