gng4life

Is the barrel hood locking up on the slide or does it look slightly out-of-battery? What guide rod/plug or reverse plug do you use? Is it a bull barrel or do you use a bushing barrel?

Welcome to the forum and USPSA matches! Speaking from my own perspective, I always load my own ammo and almost everyone I shoot with all load their own also. There are tons of resources on here about load data. If you have never done it before and really don't know much about it, it's best to get with a friend to go over the basics or take a class on it. As far as cons, the only ones that come to mind are 1) initial expense of getting your press, accessories, and components and 2) you have to do all the work instead of going to the store and buying it. For me, the pros far outweigh the cons. As far as PF, you will need a chrono or maybe someone at your range has one and you can get with them to run some rounds over it. However, if you plan to get into reloading, I recommend buying your own - it's invaluable. Hope this helps and good luck with your match!

Same here. I can't say enough great things about Brian (and his staff) and Hunters HD. I own a few pairs now and never work on the range or shoot without them. If you can catch him at a match, he'll even let you wear them a while so you can "try before you buy." You can't go wrong with this deal. Also, if you have an employer-sponsored FSA account, these qualify as a medical purchase. Good luck!

OP, what barrel/comp are you using? Thanks

My experience with 147s in Open is about the same. Back when we had the last big shortage, all I had was 147s at one point. I shot them and something is better than nothing but I really didn't like the dot tracking. It did not feel "violent" like the 115s, just had the funny dot wiggle and jump. So 124s have always been my go-to for Open loads. However, everyone is different. Try some out and see what you think. If you don't like it, you can always sell ammo in these times. Good luck!

+1

Sarge, do you have a picture? Was there any shaping done to it? Did he mention why he wanted the grip panel that way? You said “ledge”, in your opinion, could it be used any at all for recoil mitigation? Was it a Government length model? If it fits the box, there can’t be much length to it but just want to be sure of all the specifics. Thanks.

Definitely let us know how that goes and which one it is. I load the same powder and PF so I’m curious. Thanks.

And yet, another reason why photographic “evidence” is not used in making calls and/or arbitrations.

With Major, you get to take advantage of the comp where Minor really doesn’t make efficient use of the comp. However, if you can shoot all As and not worry about using a comp, go for it. It’s been done over and over many times by several top shooters and Major wins in the end.

Class act sir! Takes a big man to admit when he's wrong, especially on this stage. Super happy no one was hurt but this is a good learning moment for everyone. Take care...

If you do a search, HS6 pops up thousands of times. It's been around a long time and is pretty well cemented in its position as a good powder for 9Major. It has other applications but most on here refer to it in 9Major recipes. I've been loading it for about 15 years now and love it. Yeah, it's a little dirty but everything else about it is great for me.

Well, here goes another 4 or 5 page post. There are so many things wrong on so many levels with this situation and it all could have been prevented by a few simple things. I just have to ask, was the RO a timer holder or were they a certified RO?

Also, something that happened to me, the gauges are sometimes tighter than others. Have you pulled your barrel and done a plunk test there? And I do agree with the others above, seating them correctly is the key too.

Does the line on the outside have a slight "hump" to it? Or is it a scar or score into the brass? I was betting on the bullet seating ring but not sure from the pics. Let us know.

I do something similar to this for my loads. For my Major load (9mm) using HS-6, I use a 124gr bullet and for the Minor load, just swap out the bullet for a 95gr and I have my Minor load. No change in powder settings. Minor adjustment on the seating die but I have it recorded where it should be set and takes very little time. I guess I'm just too lazy to come up with a new load so I went with this. Someone showed me this many years ago and I still follow it. Also, to answer the question about the gas, it's just not enough advantage to really talk about in Minor loads. In fact, instead of shooting Minor for Steel, some just shoot their regular Major load to get the comp to work better. Also, with some other more efficient powders, you get a cleaner burn, better feel, and overall good recoil curve. It all depends on what you shoot best and what you want - that's the great thing about reloading. My suggestion is to make a bunch of test rounds and go the the range. Enjoy!

Bro, really happy for you. I agree with the others, I have shot every division and I still think Open is the best. I like to change up sometimes and play in other divisions but I always go back to my love...Open!

After every practice or match, just a good wipe down and sometimes spray a little CLP. Always a full cleaning before a match, if it's getting sluggish, or if it was raining while I was shooting. Definitely not OCD but I don't have any of my firearms with a bunch of left over carbon/residue on them. About once a year, full break down - everything come out, cleaned, then put back together.

It should. If it doesn't after the system update (which can take up to a month), I would give them a call or probably email is best with everything going on. Congrats on the classifier score!

Thanks for info! I'll be contacting him...

I hope the OP or a mod will remove this.

Same, Brazos is great stuff. It has never fallen out or become loose.

All, I'm looking to see if there are any pistolsmiths in the WA or OR area that do Open and Limited gun work. I'll be around that area for a bit before heading back out for work and would like to talk to someone in person. Thanks for any recommendations or past history with any in the area.

Sorry, this is for SC, misspoke.

I have never personally used them or shot them but I was told by someone that they worked great but the cost was high. Sounds like you get what you pay for in this situation.