DonT

Well for me it was over ambitious dremel modifications that caused me to look for another on two occasions Dawson's fixed me right up.

Welcome to the forum Quiet a deep 1st or 2nd post. I refer to what you're speaking of as "in the zone", for lack of a more original term. I agree it doesn't happen as often as I would like and I don't remember why or what brings it on or even how to explain it. Just the feeling that you and the gun and the target are all in sync. Walking with the score keeper after the run, 2 alpha, 2 alpha, 2 alpha, 2 alpha. And all I can remember is, I don't even remember aiming at the targets. More like I was pointing in the general direction and the bullet found it's own way

I'm using an X-die on my 550 for .223 only and it's working just fine. I stuck my 1st case using One Shot, but I probably didn't use enough. But it was enough for me to use regular lube from then on. I still load .308 on rock chucker, not ready to try that on a 550. As far as does the X-die keep it from growing...sorry, I don't know yet. I haven't fired my brass enough to find out but since I'm using FC it will probably split before it stretches.

I just dip a Q-tip in Isopropyl Alcohol to clean the glass and wipe it dry with a cotton patch. I keep this stuff on my workbench.

Happy B-Day JT(45)... and Silver Surfer(50), you caught up with me ... and all the others, LouSig(41), mike4045(40), rack&roll(57), SinistralRifleman(27), D.carden(48), Tengu(34), Jack smith(49), foxyyy(35), Dale Fusco(38), cajuntiger(35) Have a great one everybody

I honestly don't know. I'll check it out this weekend and get back with you. If it's not available, somebody here will have some factory 9mm.

Kevin, that sounds great. Look forward to meeting you. Our matches in July are on the 12th, 19th, and 26th. Starts at 9:00am but we'll be there around 8:00. Gino almost always brings spam musubi. PM me if you have any questions or need anything. C'ya soon

Just thought I'd post an update for anyone that's interested. It's been over a year, 45 different 5rd. loads (225 rounds), 4 different powders, and I have come to the conclusion that this is about as good as this rifle or me is going to shoot. I've only used 168gr. SMK's because that's what I have. Once they are gone, I'd like to start over with 150's. Kind of discouraging. I would have thought I could do better than that. Have even thought of getting a regular AR-10T upper and using this carbine upper for 3-gun. Any comments, advice, or suggestions would be appreciated. Otherwise I'll just load what I've got and call it good enough. Thanks

OK, I'm embarrassed to ask but, what's CDI? Somewhere buried deep in the rules, we're not supposed to debate which is better, STI or SVI, or Glock or XD, etc. So somehow we just started the S_I even when it's not necessary? Is that close?

Yeah it's a broad term...I kinda meant it to include any unsafe gun handling such as, but not limited to, finger in trigger guard, sweeping, not paying attention to the muzzle when holstering, etc. The poll wouldn't let me vote again but I was going to add a vote for gun handling (specifically, finger in trigger guard) New shooters, old shooters, and even myself included a few times, usually when clearing a jam. I really get ticked off at myself when I'm going thru a stage and I hear "finger". I thought I had that mastered long ago...but I guess I'm still working on it. Now before we go starting a discussion on whether the correct call is "finger" or "stop", we all know the rules and I'd be happy to contribute my .02 worth in another thread. The results at this point are pretty close to what I guessed except I thought gun handling would be 1st and breaking 180 would be 2nd. But I guess when you think about it, they go hand in hand. And so do AD's. All a form of unsafe gun handling. Maybe I could have listed better or more concise choices. Thanks to all who took the time to vote and post. Keep 'em coming if you like.

+1 I guess you'd get major with the AR10T? I think it would be too frickin heavy. My AR10T carbine is not that light. Last I heard you can send your AR10 to JP and they would do upgrades. That was awhile back. I'm running a M&P15T w/Miculec, JP trigger, and Eotech I like Ken's advice.

Yeah, and this is why I've supported the unsanctioned matches as much as I have-- I was a discipline leader for two years and am now the club's vice-president. We need a place for the new shooter to be introduced to safe gun handling, competitions, and new techniques in a more newbie friendly place than a match with serious shooters who will call for a DQ and kick them off the range when they make a mistake rather than turning it into a learning experience. I guess my personal issue with this is that my stress level at work has been gradually climbing for the past few years so I'm looking at my match time as a place to relax rather than be the "eagle eye" as I have been. I dunno... just me. A DQ is often the best learning experience of all. Seriously. What raises your BP more... sending someone home chastised, or calling an ambulance because someone has been shot? That's extreme, but with guns you don't get any mulligans. What I see most is people clearing a jam on the clock with the finger inside the guard. Don't get me wrong, if it's a DQ'able offense they get DQ'ed. And yes, I agree it's a great learning experience. The guy I spoke of earlier was DQ'ed for dropping his gun. I was talking more along the lines of bad ammo. Now, back to the original question...

That's interesting...Thanks

Yeah, and this is why I've supported the unsanctioned matches as much as I have-- I was a discipline leader for two years and am now the club's vice-president. We need a place for the new shooter to be introduced to safe gun handling, competitions, and new techniques in a more newbie friendly place than a match with serious shooters who will call for a DQ and kick them off the range when they make a mistake rather than turning it into a learning experience. I guess my personal issue with this is that my stress level at work has been gradually climbing for the past few years so I'm looking at my match time as a place to relax rather than be the "eagle eye" as I have been. I dunno... just me. I completely understand where you're coming from and I also feel like this on occasion. But I try hard not too. I try to recall the patience that everyone showed to me when I started. It's a tough call. Most folks can learn but some will just never get it.

Good replies so far...keep 'em coming. One of the guys I mentioned, is a new shooter. He's been shooting with us a couple of months. He's new to reloading too so I'll also be asking him if he needs help with that or if he understands what he's doing. We have several new shooters and they DO need to be watched like a hawk. But, we need to help them along. Not just coming down on them when they screw up but also helping them understand that safety is THE most important thing while loading ammo, handling a gun, or running through a stage. We want 'em to come back, we want 'em to have fun, but nobody likes to shoot with folks who are unsafe.

Just wondering what concerns y'all have about certain things you see at your local matches that make you "pucker up" ...and what can be done to solve the problem. I'm going to have to say ammo. We seem to have had a few instances recently where some are not paying attention when they are loading their ammo. Getting some squibs and double charges w/blowups and dropped guns. Had a guy that bought a bunch of somebody elses loaded ammo and would have squibs 2 or 3 times during a match. After a few weeks of this the RO finally called his ammo unsafe and wouldn't let him continue to use it. Had another guy that comes to the matches 15 minutes after it's began and says he had to rush and load ammo before the match. Guess who's gun blew... So what can we do? I'm going to talk to this guy this weekend. I'll try to explain to him diplomatically, that loading ammo is not something you want to do when you're in a rush to get out the door. You need to have complete focus on the task at hand with no distractions. You don't have to load 300 rds. in 15 minutes just because the press manufacturer says you can. And finally I'll explain to him that he is not only endangering himself, but also anyone who may be standing close to him. It get's old...bring ammo that works.

Priceless 32) re-roofing your house means buying more blue tarps.

FWIW... I start with a batch of once fired nickel .40 usually "glocked", all same headstamp. I size and load with regular Dillon dies. I'll load my normal 4.7 Titegroup for around 172pf. 7 or 8 times. At this point the nickel has started wearing off from excessive cleaning. Getting harder to read the headstamp. I have not experienced splitting cases or loose primer pockets. I chunk 'em because they have stretched to the point that my 172pf is now getting dangerously close to 165pf. ...and I'd rather chunk 'em than change my powder drop setting. I have never case gauged, never had a problem with glock bulge. This is in an STI Edge..... maybe really loose chamber

I have not used 7625 so I cannot compare. I have only used 3N38 and it works fine for me so, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Funny, I've never had a single fireball out of my gun (kinda disappointed ) 4 port hybrid w/5 port comp. I'm using 9.8, 124jhp, 1.240, for 168pf. The gun is very flat shooting, the recoil is tame, to me. I've never noticed any unburnt powder but I wouldn't say it's a clean powder. Well maybe it just looks dirty because I only clean my gun every 1000rds. Use what you like

Yep, they're kind of notorious for that. My first experience with this was when I went to holster and it fell off my belt. Luckily, still had a hold on gun with holster attached. Loctite has worked fine for the past couple of years.

+1 Makes it super simple

I've been to all the places that you mentioned as well. Where I have never been and would like to go someday is Yellowstone. What to do? Enjoy the beauty. The wife wants to go to Arizona, New Mexico, ???, on a rock hound excursion. That sounds like fun but also sounds like work. Guess who would be doing all the digging

yep, we'll be here as long as mother nature cooperates. Look forward to shooting with you again

Oh, you've been quietly busy That is sweet!!!

The lighter load buck and slugs might work for you. We're looking for some at our club but no luck over here. We're not feeding a drum, just concerned about not wanting to change the gas setting.