EMC(SS)

Thank you all for the info! I am looking forward to getting my first Blue Machine.

Anyone using a Dillon SDB or 550 with Clays? Does it throw a consistent charge? Thanks in advance!

If you live in Southeast Wisconin (Racine area), we have a bi-tone 40 arriving next week along with 2 9mm (one bi-tone) in stock and one 45 (black) in stock.

I just had the opportunity to shoot the 525. Our local range has one in the rental case (one of 10 in Wisconsin). The trigger pull is much better than a standard XDM and both sights are very easy to use. It shoots smooth and easy and I would venture to say that unless you are shooting in the same stratosphere as TGO et al, this gun will take you very far in your local meets with no mods (IMHO).

I have a difficult time reaching the mag release on a 1911 (I use the RH release on my XDM). I am planning on purchasing a 1911 and was wondering if an ambi mag release can be fitted or if the release can be swapped from one side to the other. Thanks for any advice!

I have been shooting one since mid December and love it. The only issues I have had were trying to feed it some of MY SWC reloads (purchased SWC were fine). I fixed the problem by loading to an OAL of 1.225 and putting on a healthy crimp. I have since shifted to Berry 230gr RN and they work perfectly. The gun fits my hand more comfortably than anything else (I went through at least 10 different models at the range before purchase). It field strips in a snap WITHOUT pulling the trigger, is accurate and very very fun to shoot. I did shoot a standard XD but not the tactical model and I did like the XDM better. IMO the platform is the best out there. Good luck!

I have been using the standard LRN data from the Hogdon website. My favorite so far for my XDM has been 3.8 of Clays to an OAL of 1.200 as per the Hogdon data. I have also loaded to 1.240 and they seem a little softer. Again your best bet is to check the website data.

My Lee Auto Disk seems to be doing pretty well with the Clays. As to the SWC issue with the XDM ... I still find it interesting that it ate 2 boxes of SWC reloads purchased at the range but not the Ranier. As someone pointed out there are many guns that have issues with the Ranier SWC so it is not totally fair to say that the XDM will not reliably feed all SWCs.

h8dirt ... thanks for the tip on the Laser Cast. I will give them a try.

Good suggestion on trying a different brand. I sort of figured they would all be the same but it makes sense. Thanks!

I tried the SWC at 1.265 and had several more FTF. I then loaded up some Berrys 230RN to 1.270 and they worked perfectly. I will try loading the SWC to 1.275 but I will wait for my case gauge to arrive before I try again. BTW the SWC loaded to 1.265 also FTF in a friends Springfield 1911 so I guess going long will be my last shot with those.

So far the rounds I have fired using Clays have been both accurate and soft shooting. I am still having some FTF problems with the Ranier SWC. I settled on 1.240 for seating depth and have added additional crimp. I still had 4 out of 30 FTF right on the shoulder of the bullet. I may just need to switch to LRN or Berrys plated RN.

Thanks everyone for the info. My Lee AutoDisc is doing fairly well with the Clays (using 3.9). The bullets are giving me some problems though. I am using Ranier 200 Gr SWC. I seated the first batch to 1.225 (from Hogdons manual) and had quite a few FTF. Second batch I went to 1.260 and still had some FTF. Next batch will be 1.271 and hopefully will work better. I am using an XDM 45 and have used LSWC (purchased at my local range) in the past with no difficulty. I am wondering if the XDM just does not like the Ranier?

Thanks for the help! BTW what OAL are you using for the 200 GR SWC?

Going to start reloading 45ACP. Clays seems to be a popular choice for lite loads. I have heard that it can be difficult to meter. Anyone using a Lees ProAutoDisc for Clays? Also are there any other powders that "mimic" Clays performance? Thanks!