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Modoc

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Everything posted by Modoc

  1. Yeah @MHicks Mark, but you are still an hour closer to SLO than we are. Here’s to hopefully seeing you in the North this Year. Components have been fun especially with three of us competing in different disciplines (SASS, USPSA, Mountain Man Rendezvous, and NRA Silhouette).
  2. Have you put a light layer of soot on the entire case to see how the die is compressing it? I used to do this for adjusting FL dies to just neck size. It would tell you if you are getting complete contact/sizing.
  3. @Youngeyes, I’ll tell you how it goes on December 31st. Happy New Year Everyone!
  4. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/books-amp-videos/books/handgun-gunsmithing-books/s-w-revolver-shop-manual-5th-edition-prod73553.aspx I may have a copy around here, I will look and see
  5. You just have to love the Oh Crud feeling when you are close to the end of your brass sorting and cleaning and you realize you just dumped about 100 38 Spl. Cases in with about 400 357 Mag cases already in the tumbler. Oh the fun of shooting mixed calibers that are so CLOSE to the same size.
  6. To me, it all depends on what cartridges and what volume you are going to be loading. I started out loading on a single stage back in High School, then bought my first Dillon 550 (used) when I had my first full time job. I’m still running a pair of 550’s because of the variety of calibers that I’m loading. Cost of FULL conversions drove my decision. A big positive about a 550 is that you have complete control over your speed of production and there is less trouble if something isn’t right. I’ve had 357 get in the 38 specials along with 45 gap and 380 in the 45 ACP and 9mm (son sorting brass) and the hiccup is minor. I’m considering a used 650/new 750, but initial cost is a consideration. The Turret press is a great beginner’s compromise and is faster than the single stage. My rifle loading would be much faster on the turret vs. the single stage. Lyman, RCBS, Or Lee are all good options there (I’m partial to RCBS). The support equipment will put a good dent in your budget with scale, calipers, manuals, case gauges, etc.
  7. Once a month here for a full cleaning and a bore snake and lube rag after every session. With the caveat of EVERY TIME I shoot FFFg the gun/guns get a full cleaning. Then a Complete tear down about every 6 months for the competition guns.
  8. I want to thank everyone for their input. @Steve RA, that is the separator that is reaching the end of its service life. My dad has said that I can use/have his Dillon CM-500 unit since he is not processing that much brass any more. Maybe I’ll abscond with his CV-500 too (trade for the Frankfort Arsenal).
  9. Good Evening All, Currently, I am running a Dillon CV-500 and a Frankfort Arsenal smaller vibratory polisher for doing my brass cleaning. My 10 year old RCBS Media Separator is starting to really die at all of the joints. What are peoples preferences and experience with the different media separators? I do have the old Midway gold pan unit as a fall back, but will probably be getting another rotary separator in the near future.
  10. 629 here. Just stay away from the 329PD if you want a range gun. I am looking at the Anaconda also, but since I already have a Ruger Blackhawk and a 629 it is kind of hard to justify to myself.
  11. I’m not sure what has happened in the last two years, but a LOT of drivers have turned into idiots. Working for a DOT and former Fire Fighter/EMT, I have seen a lot, but recently things have really gone down hill. We just had the second major snow storm of the year and Drivers are still trying to drive like it is a dry summer day. Cars and big rigs stuck, spun out or flat out crashed everywhere. what happened to being prepared for changing conditions and driving for the conditions? I do realize that California conditions are way different than the Mid-West or North East, but Really? What happened to following distances and anticipating what the other drivers around you MAY do?
  12. I have had both the Lyman first Generation and now use an RCBS ChargeMaster. I like the charge master in that I can separate the scale unit off if needed (haven’t yet). They are both pretty intuitive to use and have been very accurate and fast. My last session with the ChargeMaster, it would dispense 32.3gr of BL-C2 before I could get a bullet seated. Plenty fast for me. Personally, I would stick with a name brand and compare features to fit my needs and then purchase from a Reputable vendor. You can’t go wrong with either one.
  13. Tonight my procrastination caught up to me. I need to sight in 4 rifles for various reasons and had No ammo loaded for that cartridge. So, back to the notebooks and components on hand. As I wash sizing and de-priming on the RCBS Jr. I realized that I had become spoiled by the Dillon system. Here I am doing 4 steps, one at a time, while my 550b’s are quietly laughing at me. Almost 3-1/2 hours to load 100 rounds, where I would have knocked them out in les than 15 minutes on the 550b. On the other hand the RCBS Charge Master really made a difference compared to the beam scal,scoop, and powder trickler for getting the powder charge. Maybe I need to rethink my powder for these rifles and set one of my Dillons up for it. we have come a long way in the last 40 years with reloading.
  14. I’m going to chime in with: the majority of Friends and family are still vertical and breathing (sux having most of your friends being much older), being debt free finally, having the means to enjoy my hobbies, and the commradarie of the BE forum and the SASS Wire. Im glad to be back on here.
  15. The drums look cool, but I had a chance to shoot using an original Colt drum. The balance was totally off and it really messed with follow up shots. I would just stick with the Chip McCormic 10’s.
  16. Good Morning Mofosheee, I am loading a 125gr Flat Point cast bullet over 3.2gr of Clays with the case mouth crimped into the crimp groove (1.438”). .This is a Cowboy Action load, but is pleasant to shoot in my 2” Smith AirWeight. I did not list a specific bullet caster because for CAS I haven’t noticed enough difference to bother. I will try and get the load that some of my CAS shooters use with TiteGroup, but everything is the same except for powder volume as my Clays load.
  17. !!! Multiple Weather changes are really playing hell with the arthritis and old injuries! Hoping that I will be able to function at tomorrow’s match.
  18. I have several sets of Dillon (old and newer), RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, and Ideal. All will do a good job, I would go with a Carbide set from any of the above except the Ideal. They are a special die for the old nut cracker style hand tool. In this climate whatever you can find at a reasonable price will do the job. If you get used dies, look for scoring and cracks in the body and Carbide inserts, straightness in the arbors and of course thread damage.
  19. Dang. The Mrs just whomped me up side the head for drooling over it. That’s one that I would LOVE to ad to the collection.
  20. @camilo, I should have been clearer about new production. I was referring to Springfield, Kimber, Stacatto, etc. Not plastic. Also, my 1911 was/is in 38 Super and still took hours and $ to make right.
  21. First off, does the barrel stamping say 38 SPECIAL or 38 SUPER? They are two totally different cartridges. @Ben53is correct about the potential change in value if you make the change. I did something similar with a regular M1911 Colt, but it had been modified years ago so it had lost collectors value. personally, I would be looking for a new production pistol with the desired upgrades already done (ie grip safety, sights, trigger, magwell, etc).
  22. That ring would be worth more if the head stamp was Starline.
  23. Thanks everyone. I got the first press done before we lost power for 6 hours due to a critter causing a transformer in the substation to burst into flames. The garage gets DARK without electricity. boy does the slide move well with the new plate. I’ll add a picture of the press bed after I get it resized.
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