Getting the lead out

Finally decided to start casting bullets. So far, I have about 6 decent looking 230 grain .309 bullets, and a pile of lead ingots. Oh, and a bunch of crap that was floating on top of the lead. There is a definite learning curve with the aluminum Lee mold. Much more work than making fishing lures in high school.

Also, in a couple of weeks, I'll get to play with a G42. A friend is becoming quite the Glock collector- he also has a G20 to break in.

Added: I've been reading the Lyman book that came in my kit. It recommends using a hotplate to preheat molds. I had already "re-purposed" a hotplate for doing just that.

G42 and G41 spotted in the wild.

Priced at $499 and $699 respectively. At a dealer selling Gen4 G23 FDE for $530. And basic M&P models under $430 new. I realize this is exactly a sample of 2, but I wasn't shopping around very hard. No fingering tonight, either. Looking at the G41 makes me think harder about an M&P45 full of Apex parts. Smith and Wesson, YU NO M&P45 CORE??????

Tales from the DOT

Had to get a DOT physical today to keep the CDL that I don't use but also don't want to lose. Some damned Obamacare thing, I think. I had extra time before work, so I decided to drop it off at the DOT. Brought my CDL and all the paperwork save the little wallet medical card that I put in my glovebox. Of course, they want the stupid little card, not the full form which also has all the info.
So, I take all that stuff back out to my truck, in a 20 mph gusty wind, to get the little card. By the time I get back inside, I can't find my CDL. Retrace my steps, nothing. I pled global warming to the staff, as I now needed a duplicate license, too. By then I had a supervisor helping me. About the second word out of her mouth was:"Oh, you were right, the paperwork you had the first time was sufficient." Grrr. She did get me my duplicate free. So I had that going for me.

Nice

Picked up 30 round AR mags locally for $10 each. Troy, unfortunately, but at that price I'll chuck 'em in the safe for spares. They work well with 300 BLK.

Lane closures a matter for Holder to look into?

Not that I give a rip about the Jersey RINO, but is every lane closure a flipping federal case? If so, they need to look into the closure of lanes on I80 last summer for a bike trail.

Cold and old

Broke out the Type 53 and the Blackout pistol today. 19 F, but windy enough to forcefully inhale.

Mosins pass the "white glove" test. Mainly, I can load them while wearing heavy leather insulated gloves. Had I used my clips, it would have been even easier. The BLK needed me to switch to my tactical batting glove to load the mag. Otherwise, it too could be operated with the heavy gloves on. Putting a finger inside the trigger guard takes effort.

Cold

FNX 45 mag release gets sticky below zero F. The already iffy dropping mags damn near need pried out. 1911 drops just fine. I think I will give it a serious cleaning. 1700-1800 rounds since August is a lot, right?

Cold out

Had to try some hand loads. 7 degrees.