Throwin Lead

Email our host. I know he has a short video on the 550 casefeeder. If you are going to purchase one buy it through Brian. Mike

Check out Jake Divita's site. Jake is a mod here too. He has stages set up for dryfire Workouts of the Day (WOD) - Great site! www.jakedivita.com Mike

I think forward falling poppers are a step in the right direction from a safety aspect. Most of us have been clipped by a piece of schrapnel coming off a rear falling popper - some sting, some draw blood. What if one of those errant pieces catches a juglar vein and the injury is fatal? The excuse of too costly to implement won't fly if sombody get mortally wounded. IIRC Chuck Bradley posted a spine chilling story of how one of his boys needed stitches from catching "flak" from a popper. If there is a safer product out there that yields the same result it should be in use.

Donna, I'm sure in all the research that you have done prior to reloading more than once you read the word "focus". Experienced reloaders tell newbies to stay focused when working the press as any distraction can cause problems from squib rounds to double charges. Sounds like you friend thought he was loading with Winchester but it was actually Bullseye. No doubt your friend meant well and didn't try to cause any harm. Perhaps he was distracted by teaching a group of ladies the finer points of reloading? Your friend experienced lack of a different kind of focus - with more than one on one instruction I can see how he could have made the powder mistake, especially if the group was asking questions, taking turns doing things, etc.. I give you credit for looking up the loads in the manuals to double check. It appears you were on the high end of the chart but not overloaded which is a good thing! Mike

180 gn Matercast.net cast TC bullet, 3.5 gn of WST, WSP, 1.135 OAL , makes 135 PF out of my M&P. Any thing less and you may have to tune with spring changes.

Out of curiosity, what are some of the OAL variations that you guys are getting? Anyone bother to measure? With mixed brass about the same results as you described I'd say plus or minus 0.003 to 0.005 of my "intended" OAL. I like to think those values are between 1 or 2 RCHs which is good enough for almost anything man does.

All in all your results of all brass used looks very consistent. Keep all the brass you have. The subtle differences in them are really a mute point. I would not hesitate to use any of the brass tested for practice or match ammo. Some variables to consider regarding your tests are powder throw/powder metering variations, consistent strokes of the press assuming you loaded on a progressive press, slight deviation in OAL and the variation however slight of case volume from one case to another in relationship of how the powder sets under the bullet. In my experience with Clays loading 40 for minor at 3.0 gns there can be subtle variations in metering - maybe as little as 0.05 to 0.10 per charge in a batch run of several hundred rounds. Does that make it a show stopper - absolutely not. I think for the game we play accuracy and consistent velocity are the key. To me the ES compared to the average velocity is the deciding factor. If at a match and 3 rounds are shot over the match chrono from the value of the average velocity minus 1/2 of ES will it make the required PF? Obviously one would want as small a value of ES as possible. Using values from your document for Winchester brass: 803 - 13 = 790. 790 x 180/1000=142.2 PF If at a major match and the ammo sent to chrono produced velocities in the 790 range you would safely make minor PF. Thanks for sharing your results. This entire testing process took a trememdous amount of effort to do.

Since posting this topic last year I have tried both WST and Solo 1000. I liked them both but chose on WST as it was available to buy in bulk in my area. The smoke factor is less than with TG, but there is still some smoke. Both powders work well with cast lead bullets as well. The load I use is 3.5 gn of WST, WSP primer, OAL 1.135 using a 180 gn bullet (Masterblaster or cast). That load makes a consistent 135 PF out of my M&P. When I was testing with Solo 1000 I found that the charge weight relationship to WST was similar to one another. IIRC the same load using S1000 made about the same PF.

+1 Great job Ben. It is great to see hard work and dedication pay off. <Rocky theme song playing in background> Your range diary is testament to your training & preparatin going into Nationals. Bottom line - you earned a great finish! I think you are going to see that you have inspired a lot more than one person. Although I'm more than twice your age and will never have the God given talet that you possess, you certainly have inspired me! Thanks! Good luck in the future!

Dude... I have a real chance at 3rd right now, and that is a move up from last year. There are 6 more stages today, the meat of the match. There are 3 real trouble spots, but I should be able to nail down the rest pretty well. Guys, don't think that I have given up or anything. I am just a little frustrated here with my shooting. I am going to do as best I can for the rest of the match. Ben, The frustration you feel is part of the growing pains your shooting skills are taking you. Remember this day - this week - as you will be gaining valuable experience with both your skills and emotions. Perhaps in the future you will be able to draw from this experience to rise up to your next challange, look it in the eye and master it. You nailed it exactly - "I'm going to do the best I can today" That's all you can do. As I see it you are your only limitation. You are shooting a great match - GIVE "EM HELL! After today the rest of the shooting world will know who Ben Stoeger is! Good Luck! Mike

Bad link

If you are looking for a decent digital scale for under $100 you may want to take a look at this one. Link Earlier this year I posted a review of this scale when I bought it. Since Febuary it has come down in price by $30. See post #21 Works great. Holds zero very well & stays in calibration. The only issue is it goes to sleep in a few minutes of not being used. From what I read, most digital scales today seem to have that sleep feature. I wakes up quickly and there is no need to re-calibrate after each shutdown. Maineshootah posted a review of a cheap scale he purchased around that time. A link to his review is in the above referenced thread too. (post #15) Mike

I use WST under Masterblasters 180 gn bullets & 180 gn lead bullets for my production loads & occasional major loads for L10. In Western PA we experience temperature swings too when the seasons change. I found WST to be inversely temperature sensitive - temps go down velocity goes up a small amount, maybe 3 to 5 PF at minor pf. I strive for a 135 PF load. We are talking about a 3-4 % jump in PF in cooler weather for minor velocities. If shooting in hotter weather bump your load 0.05 or 0.1 to compensate. My Fall & Spring load is 3.4 gn of WST & my Summer load is 3.5 gn for a 135 ish PF load. Major loads are 4.6 for Fall & Spring - 4.7 for warmer weather - 170 ish PF. All are shot from a M&P 40. Another powder to try with lead/moly is SOLO 1000. It seems to mirror WST in charge weights to velocities but I have not found temperatures hot or cold to make any PF differences. Perhaps another member here that uses S1000 will share their experiences regarding temp. It makes great major & minor loads with moly & lead too. Both powders are affordable and clean burning and available in my area. Last January I paid $103 + tax for an 8 lb keg of WST at the local Sportsmen’s Warehouse - about $13 per pound. YMMV Mike

Give Jim Stinar a try at S&S Casting. I've dealt with him - great product and a good guy to do business with. Here is his latest posting on the USPSA members classifieds. Updated: 08/21/2008 7:50:33 PM Name: James Stinar - a30909 Email: snscasting@hotmail.com Phone: 815-796-2904 Location: flanagan il Price: 0 Cast bullets, email or call for a price sheet. Thanks JIM STINAR. HOME: 815-796-2904 CELL: 815-674-5508 EMAIL: SnSCasting@hotmail.com 9MM. 125 RN 1000 - $46.08 9MM. 147 FP 1000 - $48.08 38/357 NEW 100RNFP 1000 - $45.08 38/357 125 RN 1000 - $46.08 38/357 125 FP 1000 - $46.08 38/357 125 RNFP 1000 - $46.08 38/357 148 DEWC 1000 - $48.08 38/357 158 SWC 1000 - $50.09 38/357 158 RNFP 1000 - $50.09 40 SW 140 FP 1000 - $46.75 40 SW 175 SWC 1000 - $58.10 40 SW 220 FP 1000 - $62.32 41 MAG. 215 SWC 1000 - $61.70 45 ACP. 185 SWC 1000 - $60.12 45 ACP. 200 SWC 1000 - $60.12 45 ACP. 230 RN 1000 - $63.45 45 LC. 200 RNFP 1000 - $60.12 45 LC 250 RNFP 1000 - $78.15 44-40 200 RNFP 1000 - $60.12 44-40 240 RNFP 1000 - $71.47 44 MAG. 200 RNFP 1000 - $60.12 44 MAG 240 RNFP 1000 - $71.47 44 MAG. 240 SWC 1000 - $71.47 S&S CASTING 5458 East 2000 North Rd. Flanagan, IL 61740 PRICES SUBJECT TO GHANGE WHITHOUT NOTICE 6/01/08 WILL SHIP 70LBS FOR $13.00 INSURED,

On page 8 of this month's Front Sight there is a mention that most of the equipment owned my Masterblasters was sold to Tom Drazy. He is to market a similar line of product under the name of Black Bullet International. (612) 281-3877 It's nice to see a new manufacturer open up shop instead of closing one down. I really missed not being able to order from Masterblasters. They had a great product, prompt delivery & good customer service. If BBI follows in their footsteps they will be very successful. Good luck Tom - answer your phone!

Ben You might want to look into the micrometer powder bar kit from Uniquetek. A $50 investment that really takes the frustration out of dialing in charges plus little to no drift in charges throughout production runs. You will notice a decrease in ES & SD. At one match the chrono operator thought there was an error in his equipment as my velocities were 773, 773, 774. www.uniquetek.com Mike

US Open Jack Nicklaus or Western PA's own - Arnie Palmer

Move 'em back, Let today's prima donnas earn their money Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium

Walter Payton Joe Montana or Tom Brady

Linda, I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers. Mike

Linda, You and your family will be in my prayers. May God grant you and Tim courage, strength, and peace in your time of need. Mike

Nude Bubbles or Hydro jet?

Won't work with a Square Deal as the dies are not interchageable.

After 30 years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed one evening, when the wife felt her husband begin to touch her in ways he hadn't in quite some time. It almost tickled as his fingers started at her neck, and then began moving down past the small of her back. He then slid his hand across her shoulders and neck, slowly worked it down over one breast, then the other, stopping just over her lower stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, caressed past the side of her breast again, working down her side, passed gently over and then in between her buttock and down her leg to her calf. Then, he proceeded up her inner thigh, stopping just at the uppermost portion of her leg. He continued in the same manner on her right side, then suddenly stopped, rolled over and became silent. As she had become quite aroused by this caressing, she asked in a loving voice, "That was wonderful. Why did you stop?" "I found the remote," he said.

At your rate of 5% meaning 5 out of 100 - I would use a bullet puller on the failed rounds and measure the bullet diameter. I'm thinking a slight increase in diameter of the bullet. If that proves true you should be getting in touch with the caster. Assuming 5% per 100 yields 50 per thousand. Unacceptable quality control - think about shipping them back and trying again based on your quanity of 5K. I have been using lead the better part of this season & have found case gauge issues(Wilson case gauge) with about 5 out of 1K with the product I use. Sure enough the diameter was about 0.003-004 larger than 0.401. I can live with a half of percent and even 1 pecent failure per thousand but not 5%. Mike