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CocoBolo

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Everything posted by CocoBolo

  1. Sweet, there is just something about the clean simple look. It needs some holster wear marks to make it a classic!
  2. HOLA my favorite bullet for 9 mm minor is the 135gr, a good reduction in recoil from the 125gr, the 147gr seem sluggish, you stand there waiting on the slide to cycle, seems like it anyway. IMHO TiteGroup is harsh, nasty, and hot, but it might slightly edge out 231/WST which don't over heat the gun, and don't coat it in gunk. My go to powder for 9 mm minor is N320, it even smells good. IMR 7625 was my favorite but they quit making it. I tried Clays, yes I like to live dangerous, it was like shooting mouse fart loads, way low on recoil, but I gave it up because the accuracy was horrible.
  3. That must be a good Para! Don't see many Para's these days. Load sounds good, I've shot a lot of WST at 4.3 gr with Precison 125gr bullets and they were accurate and it makes minor 130-135pf. Never loaded anything that short mostly 1.130 to 1.175 depending on the bullet. My guns run better with a longer OAL.
  4. I use to run my C-mores at full brightness. After my 4 year hiatus from shooting I have changed that. While shooting on a bench rest at 25 yards with the dot turned down the holes were tied together perfectly 5 shot group all touching. I turned the dot up full bloom like I use to shoot and the hits went high left and spread out. I know sounds like science fiction but I was able to repeat this test several times consistently. Starting over again having some issues finding the elusive dot and being much slower than the good old days I found having the dot turned up bright was causing me to focus more on the dot than the target. Now I'm one of those annoying shooter at make ready that take a few extra seconds to adjust the dot brightness to enough to easily see but not attention grabbing. I just put a Romeo 1 on a CZ SP01 Shadow, now that thing is so bright it hurts my eyes, so yes turn it way down again to plainly visible.
  5. I would think that the recoil impulse would be similar to what you are use to and the POI should be close. I shot 200gr with tight group for a long time, jacketed were more expensive than other bullets, in the quest for an inexpensive alternative that felt good I tried several weights, brands etc. My favorite bullet became one that my 7 time world shoot limited champion recommended. The 185gr Precision swagged bullet made in Kemp TX. These make power factor with less powder and they cost less and the recoil impulse is softer than the 200gr, plus they are very accurate. While it will get no love WST is the powder I used and still use for 40. The trick is not to cut the coating when loading and get the crimp right, just enough to hold it solid.
  6. I'm a multi-decade shooter. Like they say screwing up starts when you think you know how or everthing. Maiden voyage of my new to me PCC. I threw my trusty older than dirt EO Tech on it, grabbed my Glock open gun mags took it to the range tested every mag it was all good, even the new trigger I installed. To the match, Stage one first two shots were good then I got the double feed, crap, had to pull the mag rock the the gun for it to fall out. Continue 1st shot 2nd target good, then it started the EOTech would go lights out every 2nd or third shot. My time was in the toilet with the double feed, but my hits were not all that bad, except for the last target on the stage 2 mikes, else all A's, go figure. Found the round that double fed, nothing to see here but it is a JHP, all the round nose fed. To the safe table took EOTec apart changed batteries beat on it, the light stayed on, good to go. Stage 2 - Got all RN ammo in the mags ready to bring it, first few shots and I kind of felt relieved, then it started lights out lights on, if I reached up and pushed the brightness up button it would come on then soon as I fired a shot lights out. Jammed up on the last target one shot to go. Ok so I didn't take it saved 30 seconds, that is what you learn with experience. Then I saw that the squad on the next stage was tearing down, I've shot lots of matches in the rain so it didn't occur to me I could be saved by the rain! But to prove I love to be punished, I am taking my CZ Shadow SP01, safe queen for years, with its new Romeo 1 out to the next match to try Carry Optics. I'm still trying to figure out how 4 years in the safe made my Open Gun shoot a foot low and 6 inches to the left, as tested after the match on a ransom rest and confirmed by my fried that does those 1000 yard shots.
  7. I'm sure there is something good about TiteGroup, I just don't know what it is. I used up about 16 pounds of it and never ever thought about buying any more. Maybe for 40 with 200gr I would try it again, nope not going there. I really do like coated bullets and like Darrell says open up the bell enough and don't cut the coating and they work awesome. Less recoil at same PF than jacketed, and no need for a gallon of Flitz like plain lead. Bayou is my favorite and ACME in second, the wood boxes come in handy for storing stuff in the bench. The neat thing about the coated bullets is that the barrel looks cleaner after shooting them. What I would choose instead of TiteGroup in order of preference - N320, SR7625, HP38, WST, RedDot, Solo 1000, AA5, WSF, AutoComp and so on. Like it hot dirty and rough TiteGroup.
  8. As a general rule, when dealing with a new bullet profile I size a case and set a bullet longer than I intend to load being sure not to crimp. (and no powder or primer). Then I take it and chamber it in the gun I intend to shoot it in. Chambering will shorten it to the longest length that the gun will accept. Measure it then load 3 more dummies -.01 shorter and make sure they fit and dry cycle thru the gun. If it is all good and it feeds well that is the starting OAL. If it won't fit in the gun then it don't matter what the load table says. With that I consider the Load data just to make sure I'm not way over spec. It is that OGIVE thing, each bullet profile is different, I had to adjust OAL slightly going from Montana Gold 124gr JHP to Precision Delta 124gr JHP, the precision delta is slightly larger in diameter, just enough my carry gun wouldn't eat it, the open gun no problem.(minor load, all the majors are 1.165-1.175). In your case if you are satisfied with the shorter OAL and you know it will work with the gun, you can shorten them, albeit since they are coated it will cut the coating, no big whoop you will get a little leading which can be easily remedied by shooting some copper jacketed bullets, or Flitz and elbow grease. w231 is the pretty twin of WST great for 40 not so much for 9 mm. The best powder I found for minor 9 mm is N320, somewhere around 3.2gr with your coated bullet should put you in the minor pf. That said in these days it is more what you can get than what you want to shoot. I never liked 147gr felt sluggish, 135gr coated is my favorite for minor 9, but you shoot what you can get now 115gr FMJ for now, I bought enough the mailman hates me now.
  9. SVI Infinity have one, and yes the slide is like on ball bearings. It feels just as good as the one Bennie Hill at Triangle did for me. Known Bennie and his work for 20 years, his guns run and they hold up, great gun at a good price, lots of bang for the buck.
  10. When I had a shorty I carried the lens wipes that they sell at the grocery store, you know 100 or so for $3.00, and cleaned my lens after every stage. Sold the shorty still carry the wipes, just go more stages between cleaning. AA7 caused more debris than Silhouette. My glock open gun gets dirty just about the same as the STI's. I don't waste any energy cleaning any thing other than the center of the lens. After more than a decade of using the wipes the lens are still clear. If I were to pull out a Qtip my friends would call me OCD. I'm a fan of rainX on my truck windshield, but I use those 20 for $1.00 shower caps when shooting a match in the rain, just pull it off at make ready.
  11. I'd say the biggest factor is the gun you are shooting it in. Example - At a match I dropped a loaded 9 major round on the ground, another shooter picked it up. He was shooting a plastic gun, you know one of those tupperware specials, long story short on the next stage we spent 20 minutes looking for the trigger parts to his gun. A real answer could only come when you provide the current OAL the powder used and the amount, along with the bullet type and weight. When I was shooting 200 grain 40 over Clays the OAL was critical, and yes I blew up a few cases, then got smart and went to 185gr and a different powder. 9 mm is pretty darn tuff as proven by 9 major, on a cold morning at the LA Gator match I won the crono stage at 189 pf. I didn't shoot well till it warmed up later in the day. Depending on the powder even the temp can play hell on pressure. I've had to do the same thing before, my Hornady L&L makes it easy, just remove the powder measure and the sizing die and run them thru. The rounds fit the SIG but stuck in the CZ.
  12. Welcome back, LOL too Old. I remember my first steel match 15 years ago when an 86 year old lady beat me like a house cat with a Bersa Thunder. I took 4 years off, came back recently and it is like starting over, which isn't that easy even though I'm still young at 72. I was at Sorry Gulch aka Sierra Vista back in the 1960's when it had one stop light and you had to hitch hike 6 miles out of town to get a real beer. I enjoy steel challenge, struggling in USPSA, but you don't need a 10 mm for that, I'd suggest getting an optics ready 9 mm pistol and hang that Holosun on it, shoot carry optics, USPSA, Steel Challenge and even IDPA. PCC is big these days, I bought one and plan to shoot my first match with it tomorrow, i think it will run, if I am the match anchor man so what I'll have fun.
  13. Weidners has ArmsCor bullets, I got 6000 the other day, took about 4 days order to delivery. https://www.wideners.com/catalogsearch/result?q=bullets I just checked they have 9 mm FMJ 124gr and 115gr in stock, also Hornady if you don't mind paying more.
  14. I have had a few light strikes with one of my open guns, I just reached up and cocked the hammer again. That said my new Dawson Hyper firing pin came in the mail today. I thought it already had one, all my other guns do, and they ran the same ammo 100%.
  15. If you have shot for years, you should just run what you got. I'm thinking about getting my Shadow milled for a dot, and I am just going to run the stock mags, they hold 17 same as my 40 STI Limited gun, there could be a stage where 22 rounds would make a difference but most not, there is always a place to reload, like on any move. I'm holding off on buying any new mags till we see what Pandjeo Joe does. If all divisions go to 10 rd sure would be a waste of money.
  16. My apologies when I said to use Brake cleaner, I grew up when there were no car seats, no seat belts or air bags, and we rode bikes with no helmets. Guys be sure to wear eye protection when spraying brake cleaner, and by all means don't do it over an open fire or while smoking a joint. They have a non chlorine version and it works just as well but it will still burn your eyes. And if you are doing a brake job use jack stands.
  17. When I did my shadow, I had springs flying everywhere, it takes 3 or 4 hands to work on it. With the lightest main spring on a cold December morning I had the trigger malfunction in the strangest way. I would pull the trigger and then it seemed like a second or two would pass before the gun went off, I was already reaching to rack the slide then bang. I think it was a 8 or 9#. I always only loaded with Federal primers. Then OBAMA got elected and I was running rifle primers so the spring had to go, I think to the 10 or 11#. Point is test with the hardest primer and make sure it goes bang. When I installed the ultimate trigger kit from CCW those Cajuns (minus the actual trigger) I didn't use their disconnect because it made the double action pull harder, after I shot it a while I put the short throw disconnector in and my time to first shot dropped and I still had good hits. The shorter pull on the trigger made it quicker.
  18. The mec-gar mags are the best. You will need to do the modification to allow the mags to drop free. My mags without out base pad don't really drop well, the plain plastic ones work good.
  19. Kahr PM9 Why: Light, Small, Accurate, but still easy to shoot, reliable, decent trigger. Where - OWB slightly forward Night Sights - Bad guys love the cover of darkness. Alternate Sig P226 9MM Why - 20 rd capacity, Reliable 100%, Accurate, Good trigger, Heavy for rapid fire, and clubbing Where - OWB Night Sights This was the first gun I shot USPSA/IDPA and Steel Challenge with. Bug Ruger LCR 38 SPL Why - Better than a fly swatter, super light, hard to shoot, accurate to 5 feet. Where - Inside Boot or on Ankle, or pocket No need for night sights at arms length.
  20. My go to cleaner is Brake Parts Cleaner. After using you need to lube the parts as all lube will be removed along with dirt and debris. Works well with the included tube on the nozzle.
  21. I could be the minority, but after loading pistol for decades I started the .223 journey, loading for my 3-Gun rifle. Everything I learned was from prior failures, meaning they did not feed reliably. What I learned. Preparing the cases is a lot of work. I de-prime as a separate operation, with an old Lee Universal decapper. It just turns out easier overall to do that. I've tried several sizing dies the RCBS small base was the best I tried. The sizing is best done on a good quality single stage press. I broke a Lee Press. I use liquid lube on the outside and a paste for the inside to lube cases. After sizing clean again (I use fine walnut). Swag the primer pockets all of the them it is faster than looking at each one. I use a drill press mounted trimmer WTF trimmer. Easiest part of the whole process. Drop check is the next step and be ISO 9002 about it. Next up the chamfer/de-burr with a hand tool. Cleaning again is optional but I usually do. Loading - I use my Hornady L&L because it is easier to hand feed cases, I have also done it on the Dillon 650. Just Powder, and Seat/Crimp which takes a while to get adjusted perfectly. Again it is drop check time- and again zero tolerance. Take a few an see if they feed thru you gun. Seriously you might just find you can't get it out easily. Getting just the right load on rifle is a challenge but it is trial and error. Pick a load and load 10 rounds, then change it up 2-3 tenths of a grain load 10, and make several batches. Go to the range and shoot off a bench rest and see which one groups the best at 100 yards. When loading 69gr Sierra Match Kings my gun groups best with 24.1gr of TAC. When loading 55gr Hornady 55gr HPBT 27.1gr of BLC(2). And for those short range level 0 matches with a bullet of non choice and a powder you found - 50gr Zmax with 24gr of Benchmark, makes good hits at 25 yards no problem. At $1.00 each, they may still be a bargain, if your time is valuable, being retired it gives me something to do, when I don't feel like practicing guitar.
  22. Grab a big stick and go for it, shooting minor the comp does little anyway, and be sure to make as many A hits as possible, C's hurt more in minor.
  23. Talk about Division, it is Red & Blue. Ok at one time I had 2 Dillon 650's and a Hornady Lock and Load, this is a hint to where I am going. I sold one of the Dillions and kept the Hornady. The Hornady will have more interruptions than the Dillon once everything is set. In rounds per hour you will always win on the Dillon. When it comes to setting up for small runs different caliber, different bullet, different powder the Hornady wins hands down. I load 9 different calibers on the L&L and only load 3 on the Dillon, I've had both presses for over a decade and done many thousands on both. The only thing I load exclusively on the Dillon is 9 major, because there is always powder spillage on both but on the L&L it gets in the primer punch and you have to stop and clean it. Putting 10gr in a 9 mm case well some is going to spill. The Dillon sets primers easier than the L&L, but if brute force isn't working you are just not using enough. I don't trust scales either, I have two a Dillon Beam and an RCBS 750 electronic, I cross check them. Once everything is set I only weigh if I think I see that it is off, but mostly just when I reload the primer tube. I can load on the L&L for years and the powder never changes, the Dillon another story after a few hundred rounds the charge will increase a .1 gn, then go for thousands of rounds and be off again. Both presses require you to get in touch with the feel and the rhythm with the Dillon more sensitive to the rhythm a little too fast and you have more problems and with out the developed feel you will break something on both. The Dillon case feeder has less brass rain and fewer upside down cases, the trick with the Dillon is to not let it get low on cases. There is room on my bench for both and a single stage press in the middle. Yes it is for sizing 223 cases, and for the GRX for 40. I run 9 mm and 38 super thru the case pro. One shot saves your arm, I just spray the cases a little in the case feeder, when it turns they get lubed. I pick up a hand full of bullets at a time and find I'm just as fast as using the bullet feeder.
  24. If everyone does their part it makes the match a lot more enjoyable. That said at the young age of 72, my most important equipment is my chair. Wait for it. That said I make sure that when I am not on deck not reloading my mags, I get up outa that chair and I go to the most distant target or steel tape or reset. The reason for this is to get more exercise and that folks will help me shoot more matches because I will live longer, and each time it will be easier because the more you do the more you can do. Now back in the day, I worked to set up the match, then was RO a lot and if not scoring and carried tape with me while doing that and hit anything the crew didn't get. When I noticed someone that wasn't helping I might stroll over and hand them some tape, If they asked what that was for, that's when it started. You know the talk about how we are a team. I RO'ed some majors and yes I handed tape to some super squad members. A couple of add on items. 1. Don't give unsolicited advice, you can of course ask if some one is open to some constructive tips, or offer to mentor a new shooter if they are so inclined. 2. Save the smack talk for lunch after the match. 3. Don't be that guy that tries to change the RO's call, let the RO and the Scorer do their job. The guy that whips out the overlay, if they need one they will ask for it, it is ok if the shooter asks.
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