trodrig

Yeah, the jail was awesome! Drag that it got thrown out....what exactly happened there? When our squad got there the briefing was already modified and we shot it as though you had to have one of the props on you for every shot. Did some shoot it where you could drop the props off before shooting? +1 on the off roadin' to get to the match! Glad I drove the truck instead of my wife's car!! trodrig

This was a great match! The weather was great too! Glad we got a break from the rain but didn't get too scorched by the heat either! Really enjoyed the bridge!! trodrig

I'm using them for L10 with single stack mags right now. I wasn't crazy about the insert that you have to use to take up the space either but it's not terrible. Great thing is you can switch to your glock mags without having to buy whole new pouches...just put in the other inserts. trodrig

Thanks Steve! You're right...I do need to plan the stage out and be better prepared before I shoot. On several of the stages I recall getting on target and pausing for a second thinking, "Is this the order I planned on shooting these targets?". Hopefully I can improve on that aspect next time! trodrig

Finally we had some good weather and shot my first IPSC match this past weekend! I had a great time! Made alot of mental errors which cost me alot of points but it was great fun and that's the most important part! I identified several things I need to practice which is good too. I really tanked on the classifier stage "Madness". I shot two consecutive rounds in the first target and then shot it again coming back after the reload. My mind basically just turned to jello after the beep....hopefully I can fix that next time! Can't wait for the next match!! Trodrig

I don't have experience with N320 but with Clays the Berry's 200grain SWC were pretty accurate out of my 5" Kimber. But, they were just barely making major with 4.3 grains. Just this weekend I worked up a load on the chrony with Bear Creek 200 grain SWC. With Clays, 4.3 grains gave me a 10 shot average of 833 but the extreme spread is, well, a little extreme at 47.6fps. The accuracy is not nearly what I was hoping for either. However, I'm crimping to 0.470"...do ya'll think that backing off the crimp a little might help out the accuracy? I'm also going to bump up to 4.4 grains and see if I can get a little bit better margin on the power factor.... trodrig

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I think I'm gonna go ahead and get a blast shield. Better safe than sorry right! I've got a long wait 'till the gun arrives so I'm sure I'll find a few more accessories to add to it while I wait! Trodrig

Is a blast shield only required if the barrel is ported or is it a good idea to have one even if it's not? Thanks! Trodrig

I tried the wedges but I could only get them in about half way before it got too tight to move any deeper. Are they supposed to go all the way in to the little tab? I've got velcro on the backs of them and that keeps them in place pretty good while wearing the rig but I worry about knocking them around and having them move while in transport. Trodrig

Well, 4.3 grains of Clays just barely got me to 165.8 PF. Even worse was the fact that they constantly jammed. I seated to 1.225...perhaps they need to be a bit longer? Either way, I think I'm done with Berry's. I've got some Bear Creak 200gr SWC's on the way! Does anyone have any experience on how much Clays is needed to push these to around 850 fps? Thanks, Trodrig

Thanks for the information guys! I guess I'll try using the barrel at first and if I have issues I'll see if a case gauge is smaller. For converting my 650 I was planning on buying a whole new primer assembly rather than trying to swap out the disc on the one I have. Seems like that'll be easier since it's just 2 bolts. What do ya'll think? Worth the extra expense? I'll most likely be switching between 45 and 38super at least once a month....unless I completely abandon my 45 after getting the new gun! Trodrig

Sorry, yes it is a Pact MKIV XP. Thanks, Trodrig

I have a MKIV timer/chronograph and am contemplating buying the skyscreens for it. Has anyone used these skyscreens and the chronograph feature of the MKIV? If so, how'd you like it? Is it worth buying the skyscreens or should I just stick with my Chrony Beta? Thanks! Trodrig

My 10 shot average was right at 825fps with 200 grain LSWC's using 3.9 grains of Clays. The same charge under Berry's 200 grain SWC's dropped down to 715fps! I'm going to chrono some at 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 this weekend and see where I end up. Trodrig

Thanks Chris! Do you drop ALL of your loaded rounds into the chamber? I drop'em in my 45 whenever I change bullets or lengths. Obviously if I was going to a major match or something I'd check every round but, do you feel it's necessary to do this all the time? Thanks, Trodrig

Thanks for the quick replies guys!! One thing I forgot to ask before: I don't use a case gauge for 45 but I know tolerances are going to be alot tighter on this gun. Should I go ahead and get the case gauge for 38 super? Thanks a bunch! Trodrig

Hi all! I've been shooting a 45 in IDPA and a couple of steel matches for about a year now. I really like shooting steel so I finally took the plunge and ordered an open gun in 38 Super from Dawson! I load 45 on a 650 and need to get the gear to convert it to 38 Super. I use the Redding Competition seater die for 45 and want to use one for Super as well. What about the sizer and crimp dies? I've read posts about the U-die and the Lee FCD. Are these helpfull in loading for an open gun or should I just stick with the Dillon die set? Thanks for the help! Trodrig

Does anyone have any experience with 155 SWC's from Bear Creek? Any problems getting these smaller bullets to feed properly? 200 grain SWC's seated to 1.250" feed really well in my gun but I'd like the lighter bullet for steel. Thanks! Trodrig

Thanks! I'll be giving them a try too! So, you never had any problems with the moly coating melting when using clays? I mean, worst case scenario I change powders but right now I've still got about 2 pounds to burn up..... trodrig

Well, the Berry's worked pretty well in my Kimber. The 3.7 grains of Clays was enough to get me up to a 10 shot average velocity of ~720. Night and day difference in terms of smoke! We'll see how well they shoot as I increase the velocity. Next time will be 3.9 to see how close I can get to major PF. trodrig

I initially loaded the Berry's to 1.250 and they just looked way too long. So, I settled on 1.225. I'll see how they work out later today. I live right down the street from Cabelas and was able to buy Berry's for $20/250 which is still a good bit more than Precision's coated bullets. I worry about melting the moly coated bullets though since I like to use a fast powder like Clays. Has this been a problem for anyone with Precision or MasterBlasters? Thanks, Trodrig

Thanks! Yeah, I figure I'll need to pump it up to make major. What length did you use? trodrig

After cleaning a bunch of bullet lube out of my Redding Competition seater die and taper crimp die, I've decided I'm done with cast lead bullets. The smoke was starting to get to me too... As a replacement I'm trying Berry's 200 grain SWC's. Has anyone used this bullet? It's not the same profile as the Lasercast or PennBullets cast SWC's. I was seating those to 1.250" but I'm seating the Berry's to 1.225". Do ya'll think this is too short, too long, or about right? I'm loading with 3.7 grains of Clays, WLP primers, Federal brass. I'll be running them over the chronograph tomorrow. trodrig

I'm a big fan of Clays in 45. I've run a bunch of Bullseye as well. I liked Bullseye but at equivalent velocities Clays just felt alot softer to me. trodrig

Thanks for the offer! I'd really appreciate that! I guess we'll have to see if it be canceled if we get alot of rain tonight though.... trodrig