cuzinvinny

Congratulations on completing your first match. As for your son's shooting ambitions let me suggest static steel. I believe static steel is the best introduction into the action shooting sports. Start with a .22. learn gun safety, and target transitions. Later on he can work on drawing from a holster. From there he can move up to a centerfire handgun.

I use 231 with Bayou Bullets in 9, 38, 40, and 45. My previous powder for the .45 was Clays. I am currently testing some loads with WSF as another option. My powders may change but the bullets have been Bayou for the last couple of years, and I don't expect that to change.

I bought a BMT tool for my model 610, and must agree with what the other have said about it being a great tool, especially since it both loads and unloads. However, now that I need a moonclip tool for my 627 I find myself asking if investing $160 for 2 BMT tools makes sense compared to buying just one moonclip tool with the different arbors. If there is even a remote possibility that you will be loading moonclips for a second or third revolver, the moonclip tool may be a better option.

I am using an old kitchen counter and cabinets for my reloading bench, but I don't have the press mounted to the bench. Instead I had a local fab shop take 2 pieces of 3/8" plate, approximately 12" square and weld them to the top and bottom of a piece of 4" square tubing. I lagged the bottom plate to the floor, and mounted the press on top. Total cost was less than $50. I took the idea from a similar set up at a local machine shop where they had a grinder mounted on top. This set up is rock solid. A few years later I found someone offering a set up very similar to mine over the internet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFZ2XeZSbms.

In my opinion, the plated bullets are slightly cleaner, but both are far cleaner than plain lead. The plated bullets also smoke less than moly, again both are much better than lead.

Every day at the range is a good day. Every day at the Range while I'm competing is a great day, and every day dry firing is monotonous, but very necessary. Glad to hear it's paying off for you.

I use 3.4 grains of WW231 under a 147 grain Bayou Bullet loaded to 1.120 and get 920 fps (135 power factor) This is through a 5" STI Trojan. Temperature was 85 degrees when I chronoed. I'm not sure how temperature affects 231

Just saw these puppies on another site. I'm not sure if the are tactical solution barrels or not, either way I like them..

Since I don't usually get my brass back after a match, I certainly don't want to spend time cleaning the primer pockets for the next guy.

I experienced a similar problem with my 1911 a ways back, only to discover that in the heat of competition, I was rotating the gun so I could insert a fresh magazine, before the empty mag dropped free. Once I made a conscious effort to keep the gun in position until the mag dropped, the problem went away.

I prefer a tube type sight, and prefer that sight to have adjustable dot sizes, so for me the Ultra-Dot, Match Dot is a great choice.

Ever since I started shooting indoors, I made a lead level blood test a part on my yearly physical examination. I recommend going to a lab for this type of blood work rather than the family doctor. My family doctor wasn't very knowledgable about this particular test.

Being a member of the over 50 crowd, who's knees have seen better days, I would gladly pony up another $10.

Familiarize yourself with the better shooters at your club. They are the people who you want to have giving you pointers and advice. Most, if not all will be willing to help out a new shooter.

I currently shoot a 200 grain SWC. I like that style bullet because it cuts a big clean hole that helps me better see my non-A zone hits, and allows me to decide if I need a make up shot.

Nice rig. I agree, that hard chrome looks great.

Another vote here for the Blade-Tech pouches. I've been using mine for 4 or 5 years and have never had a problem. Buy them and try them for yourself, if you don't like them, you can always sell them here in the classifieds for 80 to 90% of their original cost.

I can't comment on the process involved in applying the coating, but as I recall all the Bayou Bullets I used were evenly coated all around the bullet as well as the bottom. I just went to look at any of the bullets I might have laying around, and realized that they are all loaded in finished ammunition. I'm sure I would have noticed the coating missing from the bottom of the bullets. All I know is that they work very well for me. No problems what so ever.

Don't wait until you think you are good enough for competition, I recommend getting involved in some form of competition as soon as possible. The competition is what will increase your skill level. No matter what type of shooting you try, , you will find that the more experienced shooters will be more than happy to help you improve. Once you find out what types of competition are available in your geographic area, you can them decide what gun, and which features, will best suit your needs. I'm 57 and didn't start any type of competition until about 5 or 6 years ago. I'm sorry I didn't start sooner.

Does anyone know if VZ supplies their grips to Techwear/Techwell. The grips that came with my Techwell look just like Chef J's. I always thought Vz could really open up to a whole new market if they did offer their grips with the slots cut in, for use with a Techwell mag well. I have seen some people do the slots on their own, but I'm afraid of screwing up a set of grips.

I'm far from an expert on the subject, but I have heard the same explanation as Dwight's from more than 1 source.

I'm with S391. I run both Tripp and Wilson ETM's in my Trojan. Both work but I prefer the Tripp mags. For me, the Tripp witness holes are the advantage. In IDPA when you need to down load your mags, those well marked witness holes can save the day.

So many choices! A model 41 is a great gun but on the expensive side, plus you will need to buy replacement grips since the factory target grips are quite big. The S&W M&P 22 might be worth a look. All the Ruger's I have seen at our local steel league run very well, and a gun that runs is the most important feature. I know you said pistol, but have you considered a 4" 10 shot model 617? Certainly a more difficult gun for steel, but it does give a young shooter an extra degree of safety.

We have a local husband and wife who each shoot Dan Wesson's. They are both extremely pleased with their DW's , and I have never seen either of them have any trouble with their guns.

Another vote for the Techwell SP.