Westlake Alfa - Any tips for a new owner ?

[arsefactor]

Hi

Good choice. I've had the Alfa for a couple of years now and despite some initial teething problems, it's now one of my favourite guns.

I've documented my journey with it on Youtube, you can find that here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCva...iV9_lYLGrcDaKw

Including loading, firing and a strip down and rebuild video.

Ammo: I cast my own from lead but I use 105gr SWC from a Lee mould, not the hollow base jobs. I found the hollow base were far too prone to leaving the skirt behind even with low powder charges. The 105gr SWC can be loaded back to front (which is easier btw) and in testing up to 25 yards are just as accurate and don't tumble. Plus they are solid with a flat base giving an excellent seal to the chamber. Lubed with Alox of course and I usually size them through a Lee .38spl sizer.
Powder : I've used Herco and Blue Dot without problems. Sorry, I can't remember the charge weight at the moment - I think 4.2gr of Herco with the 105gr SWC - but Alan has a guide on his site as to the safe extremes. Work up your own load.
Primers : Not critical so long as they sit flush in the primer pockets.

Problems : Mine had slightly shallow primer pockets at first so the primers weren't sitting flush which kept giving sticking cylinder issues. However since I had a friend deepen the primer pocket shoulders by half a thou they've been fine. Could just have been the brand of primers I had. Cylinder gap is quite narrow on these Alfa's so there's not much leeway for tolerances, though it does make for a nice, tight cylinder lockup.
The crane on mine works slightly loose with firing so I nip it up every three cylinders worth, takes seconds.
Cleaning : As per any standard revolver but keep the primer pockets clean. I knock out the carbon/residue buildup from the pockets after every session, just to keep on top of it. You'll find a drill bit is *just* the right size for this, can't remember the diameter though and I'm at work and can't check.

I recently acquired a long barrel version of the Alfa, I'll have to do a comparison video soon - both equally accurate!

Regards
Paul M.

[Rollo]

When your filling the power vials do you tend to just use a powder thrower (and occasionally weigh to check its on), or use a powder trickler for each one ?

I was just thinking it may want every one weighing as the tolerance range for the powder is quite tight.

[CLINT3]

When I fill my phials I use a Henry Krank small powder flask with a tiny nozzle that has been cut down to size so as to give the right measure. I can roughly adjust the amounts by various means-sticking things in the hole lol. I weigh out the powder on my digital scales for the first few and then line them up and do a visual check. I know that my load is accurate, I have weighed all my phials and they are (surprisingly) more or less identical in weight, consequently loaded phials should all weigh the same. Hence it is easy to check your charge is correct without hassle eg spilling powder.

[arsefactor]

I used a Lee powder thrower, never had an issue with repeatability.

These days I've ditched the phials and use a dedicated dispenser. Derek at Anvil Conversions does them. I already owned one of Derek's Remington .44 nitro conversions and the dispenser for than gun worked very well so I ordered a second dispenser for the Alfa. Not cheap but they certainly work and are much more convenient than the phials.

Details on his page http://anvilconversions.co.uk/

Cheers!
Paul.