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Doc Hoy · October 10, 2011, 03:01 PM

If you shoot much you will likely wind up with a loading press.

If you start with a brass frame revolver, you may want to hasten the purchase of the press and start loading outside of the revolver right off the bat.

I am one (perhaps the only one) who believes that you put as much stress on the arbor of a Colt revolver during the loading process when loading with the lever as you do while shooting it.

As robhof says, keep the loads light and you should be okay.

I would also advise you to start with .451 balls and see if you can shave a ring all the way around with those. You may have to go to .454s but if you can shoot .451s it will put less strain on the arbor while loading them (until you get a press.)

Use bullets with a high lead percentage. High lead means softer bullets and easier loading (until you get a press.)

October 10, 2011, 03:01 PM	#15
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	DL If you shoot much you will likely wind up with a loading press. If you start with a brass frame revolver, you may want to hasten the purchase of the press and start loading outside of the revolver right off the bat. I am one (perhaps the only one) who believes that you put as much stress on the arbor of a Colt revolver during the loading process when loading with the lever as you do while shooting it. As robhof says, keep the loads light and you should be okay. I would also advise you to start with .451 balls and see if you can shave a ring all the way around with those. You may have to go to .454s but if you can shoot .451s it will put less strain on the arbor while loading them (until you get a press.) Use bullets with a high lead percentage. High lead means softer bullets and easier loading (until you get a press.) __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.