I no longer reload much, but here's what help I can be.
The Colt 1917 was SPECIFICALLY designed to shoot standard USGI "hard ball" full metal jacketed ammo.
In fact, some 1917's with well worn barrels won't shoot lead bullets very well at all.
Any Colt made since the very early 1900's will shoot all types of bullets, from cast lead to jacketed.
The "key" is to stay within the power range such older guns require.
In other words, stay with "mid-range" loads. No full power, "blow the barn door down" hot loads.
Most reloaders like me do so strictly as "self defense of the wallet". I CAN'T afford to shoot unless I do reload.
For this reason, most of my reloads are cast lead bullets, and more economically Mid-range powder loads.
The "Mid-range" are those loads in the mid-range of the loading charts.
These typically are the most accurate, easy on the gun, and cost less to produce.
For bullets, the harder lead bullets at lower power ranges lead the barrel and cylinder less, so that's the best to use.
I recommend buying lead bullets in bulk. Pick up a copy of The Shotgun News at the local magazine rack and check the ammo section for sellers.
Pick the seller that offers the cheapest combination of bullet PRICE, and SHIPPING.
The cheapest bullets may have the highest shipping charges, so do some comparative shopping.
Bottom line, usually the idea is to shoot these older guns for fun. With that in mind, low-power, inexpensive loads that are easy on the gun and cheap to make is the way to go.
If you want hot loads choose a more modern gun.
Last, buy a Lewis Lead Remover kit from Brownell's. All older revolver shooters have a Lewis kit.
This is a special cleaning tool that removes all lead from the bore and forcing cone of a revolver WITHOUT damaging anything.
It does this quickly, and without using an "expedient" cleaning material that could damage a revolver.
The Lewis will also remove lead from the chambers, but for that, I've found that special Brownell's Chamber Cleaning brushes are faster.
These are special, very stiff brushes made to clean chambers of all fouling.
These are available in stainless steel, but DO NOT use these, as they can damage the chamber. These are for gunsmith's use on badly neglected chambers where you have nothing to lose.
Buy the bronze brushes, and use them ONLY on the chamber, NEVER on the bore.
To use, push AND twist the brush through each chamber. Usually one pass is enough to remove ALL fouling.
[This message has been edited by dfariswheel (edited 08-26-2004).]
