[lighter than 115]

Below are my chrono results using 95gr JHP and 115gr FMJ Montana Gold bullets with Hodgdon Clays (gun is an STI Steelmaster shooting 9mm):

95gr

Powder Charge (grains) Avg Velocity (fps) Power Factor

3.8 1121.1 106.5

4.0 1210.0 114.95

4.3 1289.5 122.5

115gr

Powder Charge (grains) Avg Velocity (fps) Power Factor

3.8 1071.5 123.2

4.0 1079.0 124.2

4.3 1124.5 129.3

For steel challenge, the power factor is recommended to be 120 minimum. Comparing the 95gr to 115gr, I would say that the 95 feels noticably softer and I can reacquire the sight picture faster. The 95's are a little louder than the 115's, but not as much as major power factor loads would be. I saw no signs of over pressure with any of these loads. I have normally shot the 3.8 gr with 115gr FMJ as my steel load, but I'm switching to the 4.3 gr with 95gr JHP. NOTE: The 3.8gr with 95gr JHP had trouble cycling in my STI Steelmaster. All other loads cycled fine.

Here is some video of me shooting the 95gr over 4.3gr Clays:

[lighter than 115]

I'm shooting 95's right now. They go about 1200 FPS for limited and 1375 for my open gun.

I'm trying some 95 gr JHP from Montana Gold. I'm using 4.2 gr of Clays and getting around 1260 fps. Haven't seen any signs of over-pressure. I should be able to bump that charge up some more and clear 120pf. What powder and charge are you using to get 1375 fps?

[Load data needed for 95gr bullet]

Please share any load data you have using 95 grain bullets (powder used, chrono results, OAL, etc.). I'm looking to try 95 grain bullets using Hodgdon Clays for shooting Steel Challenge (need 120pf minimum).

[STI Steel Master]

I got mine about 3 months ago and love it! I've put about 4000 rounds through it so far with no issues. Do a search on YouTube and you can see it in action.

[Tips for improving transitions]

Below is a link to a hat cam video I shot while shooting Steel Challenge. The stage was Smoke & Hope. It's a really fast stage and the world record is something like 1.80 seconds. I did one run (3.11 seconds) where I was really tracking my sights through the transitions (especially going to the stop plate), which is considerably slower and not always accurate when you're trying to go fast. My faster run (2.30 seconds) illustrates the idea of letting your eyes snap to the next target just after you feel the recoil and/or called your shot. Shooting steel has helped me improve transitions and my draw. The hat cam (ContourHD) has also made a big difference in "seeing" what I know or didn't know I was doing wrong. It's taken me a while to develop this skill and I still have a ways to go. Hopefully, the video shows what I'm talking about.

I'm right handed and shoot the stage right to left, which is different than most folks. I'm right eye dominant, but my left eye likes to creep in a little bit. I've found that I can turn that weakness to an advantage by shooting so that my left eye is leading the transition. This method works on all of the Steel Challenge stages expect 5 to Go. Anyway, just a side note for those of you who may have similar wiring.

Youtube:

[polishing Mags]

SVI or STI tubes

Bench mounted grinder/polisher combo 3/4HP capable of 3600 RPM with an 8" Wheel

orbital sander

8" muslin polishing wheel

6" 3M Medium Wheel

Sand paper in 500 and 800 grit

Green Rouge for stainless steel

STI

SVI

Nice Job!

Did you put the numbers on them or did they come that way? If you did the numbers, please let us know how you did it.

I've since polished mine some more and got a pretty good mirror finish, but you're the king!

[22 caliber for steel]

Here's my Ruger Mark III with 6MOA C-More, Volquartsen V-comp, hammer & sear. I took out the loaded chamber indicator to eliminate FTE problems. Shoots and runs like a dream

[polishing Mags]

I recently purchased some 140mm mags built by Superior Firearms in 9mm from Shooters Connection. The mags run great, but don't have that shine like some I've seen. Considering how much they cost plus the cost of the gun, I decided to put my polishing wheel to work and see if I could make a cosmetic improvement. The 170mm mag in the pictures is from Brazos and has a mirror like shine. For an hour or so of work, I'm pretty happy with the new look. I used some polishing compound from Lowe's (the green stick) and just let the wheel take care of business. The Brazos mag looks like it might have some type of finish on it like a sealant or something.

Before:

After: