racine

Who carries the SX3 stock? I would like to go with a shorter LOP from the factory to about a 12" length of pull. Thanks, Racine

I just got my son this 20 ga 870 but I'm considering getting an extended mag tube for it if it exists. Anyone ever seen such an animal?

You could take it to a gunsmith to have the stock cut and the recoil pad re shaped to fit the shorter stock. Consider 12" LOP if your really short. Another consideration is to see if they make shortened stocks for the Winchester SX II or III as these have similar lineage then see if they are compatible. I've done this stock reshaping to my Rem 1100 with a rifle stock and will be cutting my Choate pistol stock to about the same since I bought a new Mk 1.

I always remember what it's like to be the unclass, D,C shooter. For that reason I frequently make conversation with the new ones who show up just to break the ice and welcome them. I've found that frequently as a new shooter to a new area many M, GM, A class shooters are not so friendly to outsiders and sometimes can act like range nazis. I subsequently frequent those clubs who are friendlier and more shooter friendly. I know it's competition so you'll see some gamesmanship but I prefer to focus on the fun aspect and safety myself. There are for that matter quite a few GM/M/A shooters who go out of their way to be helpful so just be patient and worry about the safety issue and having fun.

Many of the indoor matches at Busyhawks range were actually "practical" and had several low light stages not seen in USPSA. A light mounted on your pistol provides a dramatic difference over a hand held light unless your very proficient in that style. Even with these lights a tritium set of sights is still a plus when you don't want to use the light. Hope all is well Scott. Racine

I'm interested in hearing from established NRA Action Pistol programs(Bianchi Cup) on the logistics of running this program at a local club. We have the mover assembly albeit in the process of repair, steel plates (also needing repair), a 50 yd range and some barricades. Our range VP is denying the use of FMJ bullets (ie. WWB, Blazers, etc.) but yet insisting we can grow our program and even host a state match?! My reply was that FMJ splatter just as much as lead reloads and that this is addressed by eye protection, training and reasonable distances to steel. Disallowing FMJ/JHP bullets will eliminate casual shooters interested in trying the sport whose only affordable option for ammunition is Walmart, the internet, etc... My suggestion to this officer is first to establish all stages as workable, have the rule books, targets and steel in working condition. The next step is to run NRA Action Pistol without the initial affiliation with the NRA in order to generate some club revenue, to review viability and interest of the local shooters and then decide to proceed if the numbers and interest is there. Any suggestions from established program directors would be greatly appreciated. We do not wish to exclude the NRA (membership is a requirement of being a member) but in a small rural town filled with people of limited means I would like to generate interest with the general public in mind and then decide if the program has any potential. Thanks in Advance, Racine

Congratulations on finding the holy grail of Bianchi. It's even more impressive that you've done it with a revolver.

Thanks for all the feedback. I rarely used Wolf ammo except for the suggestion of the factory rep. I will probably just reload from here on in. BTW, that wolf ammo is not hot at all. It is significantly lower in velocity than my other factory stuff. I have to dial down the gas port to let the bolt move as opposed to the Guatemalan which I dial up to the largest gas port.

I had the same experience as the Brick. The first batch of 45acps worked fine but the most recent version has higher shoulders forcing me to load short for both my 45s. They also were not as reliable as past versions so I used them up and changed. They also seems smokier than the first batch. Otherwise, Dave is a good businessman and will get his product to you.

I recently shortened my barrel to 17" and had a YHM Phantom flash hider installed. When I got it back the bullets started keyholing after 50 rounds. I sent it back and it was reworked. When I got it back I started using cheap Wolf 223 ammo for practice and noticed sparks upon firing. No keyholing yet but I have not shot it at greater than 50 yds. Has anyone seen this kind of sparking with the Wolf? I checked the clearance between the barrel and the port of the flash hider and it seems to have plenty of room for bullets to exit and the circles remain concentric in relation to each other. On a side note, I don't see the same kind of sparks when shooting lead FMJ factory Guatemalan ammo? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, Racine

Get yourself a good Panama hat. It breaths better than even my old boonie ( khaki is cooler than darker colors) and has a wider brim. Mine has a coolmax headband that wicks great. If you look like a golfer, so what, better that than skin Cancer. I'd recommend to still use sun block as reflected light is still a source of UV A/B radiation outdoors. My panama moves with me and the stiffer brim does not flop like my boonie. Stay safe...

All I've ever shot in USPSA is Limited Class. How hard is it to transition to Single Stack as far as mind set and strategies? I'm a middle of the road Limited shooter, not really bored but have a 1911 I want to run. I want to have fun but I'm asking what makes for successful day on the range as far as an 8 round mag goes? Thanks in advance.

Yeah, It was like a typical set of Cheers. Simone, oh Simone never knew what hit her-except maybe da "legend in his own hand..." I never stopped laughing until a month later. This was a nice match, run well, nice folks. See ya'll next year. Racine

I accomodate a local RO who demands we tilt our ports downward and eject gently and drop the round. Everyone I've shot with in the last 11 years of USPSA, IDPA, NRA Action, whatever has NEVER made this demand of the shooters. For every other RO, I eject rapidly with my left hand by the rear sight, port upwards, gun fully forward then catch the round-then ULSC/HD. Shooting is inherently a dangerous sport which is why we wear ear and eye protection so we make reasonable efforts to enhance safety. I have to believe that dropping a live round on the ground carries the potential of an AD as well so this was my compromise. I'd think the possiblity of an AD from a slow ejection would be higher given that gravity now comes into play. ? I've spoken to several well seasoned CROs and they don't prefer one or the other though they support an individual RO's choice of technique at any given stage...

Harder to find in my neck of the woods.

Sono, If you read my first post you'll see that I'm using Moly coated bullets out of an HK Polygonal 5.2" barrel. Previously I'd chronoed a 200gr Masterblaster Moly bullet at 168PF using only 5.0-5.1 gr. My current bullets are Precision Moly with a different bullet profile thus requiring me to load a full grain more. Your barrel, barrel length, bullet profile, primers, powder vary PF in many ways. Since I want to continue using Precision Moly & VV n 320 I had to see if anyone had charted these waters before. Seems like my search showed a range from 4.8-6.2 gr, way more than the ceiling of 5.6 gr on various VV charts. I enlisted the help of 2 different chronos to get my results and even then the loads were higher at the match chrono. You have to consider atmospheric conditions as well( temp, barometric pressure, etc...) which is one reason I've stuck with VV 320 over Win 231. My limited experience went the other way as I ran out of Ranier CMJ plated just days before a match and the only replacements were Berry's bullets out of my 40. I did a 2 day match in one shooting through with the same powder charge, bullet weight and ended up clocking those molys at 190 PF vs the previous 168. I'm still not sure if I'd recommend you using my current load but so far it seems to work in my barrel. Racine

I just mounted one on today and it takes all my different basepads, Taylor Freelance and Dawson. I've now got 3 and while 2 work the 3rd and most expensive, a Novak has failed me as has the company. My first one replaced the Novak, which was guaranteed to take the Taylors and everything else. Mr. Novak has seen to it I'll never buy anything from him again. He has never made good on this $80 mag well he promised to replace. I can't wait to try the ICE at the next match. Racine

Well, I finally made major at around 167 PF and 6.05 gr of V V N 320 at OAL of 1.220. Chrono stage got me at 170 PF so I breathed okay for the match. This seemed like a lot of powder but it burned clean and the primers did not look excessively flattened nor did I notice any case bulging on mixed and *- brass. I went through 370+/- rounds for the match and did not have any problems whatsoever. I thank all for any and all suggestions and for any info you've shared with this fellow shooter. Racine

Forgive me here Singlestack but what exactly are you saying? The OD is consistently at 0.451. I agree one needs to work loads differently for different barrels/guns but I was trying to find a single size to fit both guns, not a single load which would be unrealistic. The load data I've quoted comes from 3 different load books Vihtavourhi has published over the years. I am using the LSWC in lieu of moly bullets. Thanks for all replies and assistance. It is greatly appreciated by one coming back into the sport after a long layoff. Racine

Recently I shortened the OAL of my 45acp loads to fit both my 45 pistols and also went to a 200gr Precision Moly bullet in Limited class. I'm having a heck of a time making major!?? I used to be able to make major with 5.0 gr of VV320, Masterblasters 200 gr(I think they were 198grs) out of my HK USP/5.2" barrel. I've also noticed that the VV recommendations for low/high range changes from year to year( 4.7-5.2 vs 4.8-5.5, etc...). I've shortened my OAL to fit both my Springer and my HK USP from 1.250 to 1.220. Crimp is 0.470 Precision Moly 200gr RNFP Fed LP Primers VV N320 is NOW 5.6 gr with an ave. vel. of 780 FPS? Vihtavouri recommends 4.8-5.1 gr for this bullet. Am I going too far?!! I'm just trying to make Major again but last time it seemed like I only used 5.0gr from my notes to make 833 FPS with a Masterblaster bullet? Now I'm only at 780 FPS with 5.6 gr of a different lot number in 320. Of course I just had to change lot numbers a month before a major match. I would really appreciate any help PDQ. I'm currently thinking of going to 5.7 or 5.8 gr but is this too much (given the 45 is a low pressure round)??? Thanks in advance. Racine

Amazing the great responses you've received here to help you. So "...I knew there would be a lot of HK hate here..." did not make sense to me. If your from the HK forum, you might be projecting. You should consider the format you've chosen to use your USP tact in. It is not a trigger that cannot be mastered but as you see here, it is just not ideal or competitive for this use. It can be overcome to some extent but you will still be limited in competition with other fellas using glass triggers. I used the USP in lim. class briefly even finding high caps to hold 16 +1 of 45 but the trigger is long, reset is long, overtravel bad, sights mediocre, recoil somewhat unpredictable, thumb safety not that ergonomic, magzines prone to cracking and aftermarket stuff nil. That being said your only recourse is practicing on the range with appropriate power factor and cheaper ammo and learning the tacts peculiarities. I personally love the gun but I too realized it's limitations and found Bruce Gray. I would highly recommend his improvements for your pistol realizing that gunsmithing is a costly venture, relatively speaking of course(even for glocks-see Vanek triggers). At $300 his modifications are practically magical and a bargain. I too think you should consider getting a progressive press if you plan on moving forward in this hobby or you'll spend an enormous amount of time shopping for ammo at cheap prices when you need it the most. The most fun in using a USP is having a match/B.Gray trigger, good FO sights, jet funnel, large capacity, fast holster and coming out on top in your class. If, and I say if, you want to keep your USP, go see Bruce. Everyone I've sent to him is just amazed. If not then lose that sissy tactical black brick and get yourself a glock

...I don't think the powder is unsafe, nor is the powder level. Maybe the load process. Sometimes people take for granted just how serious handloading is, what dangers are involved, and how careful and attentive you must be. The 230gr bullet is by far the most popular .45 ACP pill out there. Changing bullets is not a solution to your problem. ... Bobby, I think this was a given. Changing bullets was a personal decision as I wanted the round to fit other 45 barrels. My inquiry was on sharing load data someone may have already used with the given components, specifically Precision 200 gr RNF and VV320. I acknowledge that Precision's 230 grain RNFP has a different ogive pattern that needs to be loaded shorter in my SA barrel. I have the VV manual but as you know loads differ from barrel to barrel, primer to primer, etc. My experience with a squib was a bang, bullet lodged just past the breech, shell ejected by slide and next round jammed into the base of the first bullet. I was then using VV310 3.7 gr from the manual. The change as also based on how fast this powder is, how narrow the recommended range is, how low the recommended quantity and volume of the powder is, the flattened primers, etc. I prefer to follow the manufacturers recommendations rather than experimenting blindly so my inquiry is to see what may or may not work. Thanks

What I'm saying is 3.8-4.4 gr is such a low volume that I have to peer directly in and I'm afraid I may have not put enough powder in that case? The Precision 230gr was .451. I am using Dillons 45acp dies. I may have mispoke. The primer went off, the bullet traveled just past the breech and lodged. The next round would not chamber so I stopped. I much prefer larger case volumes but my initial quest was for as soft a recoil as I could get out of my 45acp. Now I'll settle for something safer, cleaner with less smoke and reliability. Thanks again for all your replies....

I've done a search here and could not find anything specific to my problem. I tried 230 precisions in my SA 1911 with lots of problems chambering and so have loaded short. I've also given up on the VV310 since I had a squib ( 1st ever). My question is; Anyone care to share data on Precision Moly (or any moly) 200gr RNFP and VV320 to make major. I'm wanting to get into Lim10 or single stack but I'd appreciate some help. So far I'm at Precision 200RNFP, VV320, * line brass, Win or Fed LPP. I'd very much appreciate any help. Racine

It's been a while since the demise of the RVO owner. Has anyone found anybody who can do the similar process??? I've searched this database and found 2 companies. One has not responded to my inquiries and the other will only deprime. I want to get back to reloading and have 2500 of LC, Guat. and other mixed quality brass but the thought of trimming that quantity is daunting. Any and all suggestions will be very greatly appreciated and thanks! Racine