rpd

Anyone know how much the FM uppers weigh with the lighter barrel? I'm comparing options on a build and looking at weight. Really like the side-charging and that forward position looks like it would be useful during unloaded starts and during malfunctions. But looking at the weight trade off, I like a light rifle.

+1 for Tripp Cobra Mags, they have been flawless for me. Wilson and Checkmate have given me some issues after a couple years of use. The other mags I like that are low cost is the Brownells mags. They have been consistent and half the cost of the Tripp when they're on sale. I have been using a mix of different brands of mags for a couple years, but I'm standardizing on the Brownells.

A few weeks ago I started doing the dots drill at the beginning and end of every live fire session. I've seen consistent improvements but still haven't gotten 36 out of 36 using the 5 second par time. I shoot this one at 5 yards. This drill is a no BS way for me to see where I'm at on trigger control.

Bill drill into the empty backstop. Finally saw my sights lift.

This thread was very helpful. Thanks. I've been able to see the sights when I break the shot for a while and I'm able to call shots, roughly. I find myself often calling a miss and making up a shot and I had a delta or thinking I had a delta or a mike and it was a borderline Charlie. I feel like I've got a compass (seeing the sights when I break the shots) but I don't have a map (knowing what that sight picture means when I see it). I've got a lot of work to do in mapping that out, but I'm working that drill into my live fire today.

Double plugging for me, I've used the tongue trick with some success (thank you for that one). I've noticed the same stuff with lighting conditions. Sometimes I have some issues focusing on the front sight at first but I can usually work through it. Sometimes it just takes time to get used to the concussive force. I had the same issue after taking some time off shooting indoors a 9mm sounded like a cannon.

I will never try to cross the tracks under a (slow) moving freight train again. I was in 18 dumb and had to get to the other side for a party. Don't want to hop on the train and then cross over. I could get hurt that way. At the time I thought it would be cool. The grain car that almost clipped me as I ran under changed my mind, forever. Lucky that I lived through that one with all of my parts.

What the OP described happened to me the first time at a steel match one day. I finished what I thought was an okay run. Went shot for shot on the steel and saw more than I had before. I was convinced if I saw that much it must have been a slow run, but I had no idea of time. When the RO called out the time I was convinced his timer was broken. Personal best by far and the second fastest run for the whole match. I have spent the last couple of years trying to get back to that place. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. When I do, great things happen. It's what draws me back to shoot more.

That is really amazing. Lots of work but now you have the tool. Keep us posted on what you build.

With the stock trigger mechanism housing w/ejector you lose the ability to adjust overtravel, one of the added benefits of the fulcrum. It's entirely up to you if that's important or not. You might be able to pick up a gen 3 modified trigger mechanism housing only. More $ than the stock part, but again only you can decide if it's worth it. Either way, fulcrum trigger is sweet.

Wasn't 100% sure if that would cause an issue, just trying to think of possibilities to track down. Do you have significant differences in FPS with different primer types and the same powder charge?

Thanks. I hear you about the temperature. Not quite -20 here in Chicago area, but close enough for me. I'm going to have to try the method you use. I like how you keep at least one hand in position and it also seemed like it is more conducive to keeping the muzzle pointed where you are looking. You just need to look at the next target and you are already pointing in the right direction. Thanks again for the videos, they've given me some things to try and work on.

Great loading. I had seen a video of someone dropping the gun down and loading with the weak hand, did you compare that to your method. It seems like your method is faster, but you might not be able to look the rounds into the loading port. Maybe not an issue. Just wondering.

I have an LNL and a 450 that has been converted to 550 (except the tool head, it's fixed not removable). I like both and see the merits in each. I do appreciate the auto-index on the LNL and caliber changes are really not that bad but my next reloading purchase will be to upgrade the frame on the 450 to get the removable tool head. It just seems that much faster. I keep both setup for different calibers, so that kind of minimizes my changeovers. I still like my LNL and I haven't had the number of issues that others have had, but maybe I've been lucky. If you are doing a small number of various calibers I think the 550 is a better choice. My two cents.

I use the tube/die system on my Hornady LNL and love it. I load up my tubes while watching a movie or old Dr. Who episodes and when I am loading it frees my left hand to fix other issues if they come up. Makes the loading process much faster and allows me to focus my attention on the cases just after the powder station.