Chris Christian

I've heard of that 170 moly Billy Bullet but have not tried it. Does it have a cannelure? Chris Christian

I find it's easier to make the required 125 PF with 158 or 180 grain bullets than with the 125... less powder, less recoil. The 140 grain (I've used the Speer JHP in the past with excellent accuracy and reasonable recoil) is also an option. Chris Christian

For a sanctioned match load I use a Speer 180 grain TMJ Silhouete bullet in my 4 inch GP-100. Groups under two inches at 25 yards and the pointed profile reloads beautifully. I use Federal primers, .38 Spl cases, and 231 powder. There is no published loading data for this load... so I will not print the powder charge. But, it's not much different (actually a touch less) than the amount I would use to make 125 PF with a 158 grain bullet, and others have posted what they use with 231 to accomplish that. The 180 bullet needs 695 fps to make 125. My load does about 760 fps, and recoils about the same as the 158 +P loads that will hover around 125 PF. The best I can determine from a lot of research is that this load exceeds the 18,000 pressure of a .38 +P load, but likely isn't over 21,000, if that much. The GP-100 is a .357 and rated for 42,000, so I don't worry... but I would not shoot this load from a .38 Spl. I've played with a lot of .38 loads to find a consistent "over 130 PF" load and this is the best I've found. Chris Christian

Current Rule Book... page 55... Section D: Match Director (MD)... (first para) " The MD is an IDPA certified SO who is in charge of every aspect of a match. The MD has the final say on ALL match issues and his decision is final. There is no arbitration." It seems to me that gives the MD the authority to do pretty much what he wants, at least at a non-sanctioned (club level) match. Chris Christian

David, The Rule Book does state that chronographed ammo must make the required PF from the longest barrel allowed within that division. You would be within your rights to insist that your loads be chronoed from a fout inch gun. On the other hand, the Match Director has enough discretionary authority (under the Rule Book) that he can pretty much do what HE wants to do in that situation. He may allow you to compete without a "by the book" chrono, or he may DQ you. It's up to him, and his decision may well rest on how he feels you have approached him on the issue. Suger is better than vinegar when dealing with the MD. Chris Christian

I thought Jane's idea was great! Let him shoot (the club can use the money) but score him seperately in the "Cheater Division". Peer pressure will often win out. And, at a Sanctioned Match he won't make it past the first stage anyway. That's a tactful solution. Chris Christian

There is no Power Factor requirement for BUG. They allow a minimum caliber of .32 ACP. Size and capacity (five rounds loaded only) is... according to the Rule Book... the only BUG requirement. Shoot whatever 9mm load you want. Chris Christian - IDPA SO

3.8 grains of WSF and just about anyone's 147 grain load (jacketed, plated, or cast) is very soft and extremely clean burning. I prefer the Hornady 147 FMJ and this gets about 880 fps, has very soft recoil, and drops steel better than any 115 or 124 9mm I've tried. The 147/WSF is all I use for Minor 9mm. Chris Christian

Chill 1994, I would politely suggest that you carefully re-read my original post before trying to parse it to fit your agenda. I believe that I clearly stated that the lube used on cast lead bullets will burn. It does. Experienced shooters don't dispute that. I believe that I also clearly stated that the use of some very fast burning powders will also cause smoke from lead burning, regadless of the lube used on the bullet. Those fast burning/hot powders would include Clays and Titegroup, but not Win 231 or HP-38. I believe that I also clearly stated that the lube used on swaged bullets (at least the Speer and Hornady that I use) is different than that used on cast bullets. These can run at less than 950 fps... with powders other that the fastest burning, and produce loads that ... in my experience... are virtually smoke free. It's a function of the lube on the bullets and the powders used to propell them. There is a pleasant middle ground here, and once found, lead bullets can be used at normal PF velocities without the smoke. If you wish to run un-lubed lead bullets in your guns with Clays ot Titegroup, by all means go ahead. It's a free country. In the unlikely event that I find you on one of the squads that I RO/SO, I'll just wear a painters mask. .

Moly coating cast bullets that are already lubed is not going to be very effective. The lube will inhibit the moly sticking. A wasted effort. A previous poster noted that "cast boolit smoke caused by waxey like lube = old wives tale". In my 40 years of reloading experience I find that remark to be inaccurate. Cast bullets require lube. That lube does burn and smoke. Some lube formulas smoke less than others. Some powders contribute to creating smoke with cast bullet lubes. For the poster who is wondering why his current batch of bullets seems to smoke more than past batches - check to see what lube is being used on them. Casters often change lube due to cost or availability.... one reason why I don't purchase cast bullets. They are not always consistent. I shoot a lot of .38 Spl revolver and .45 ACP using lead bullets and Win 231 or Hodgdon HP-38 powder. The bullets are swaged (Hornady or Speer) with a hard, dry lube. I load them to velocities of 740 to 840 fps. I don't have a smoke issue with that bullet/powder combo. Swaged bullets don't use the same lube as cast bullets, and while lead can... by itself... smoke... if a very hot & fast burning powder is used, these powders don't create noticable smoke. When used with cast lead bullets they will with some lube formulas. The lube on cast bullets does burn and cause smoke. Chris Christian

How many times does the same question have to be answered with the same answer and then comes the same question again... as if none of the many previous answers were even read? Chris Christian... Bye!

If Win White Box pops in and out without problem... the problem is in your crimp on your reloads. Throw away the crap crimp die you've been using... get a taper crimp die... run the seated bullets up into that until you smooth out the case mouth and add a very slight degree of taper. The exact dimensions on the crimp don't mean squat at your stage. Fine tune the crimp degree after you get your reloads to feed reliably. The taper crimp die will get your rounds feeding, if as you say, factory stuff drops in and out. The exact degree of crimp makes more of a difference in 10-30 fps per load... but just get a damned taper crimp die and use it. There is such a thing as beating a dead horse to death. Just get a damned taper crimp die. Chris Christian

Using the seating die to just seat the bullets, and then using a sperate taper crimp die to crimp them should solve your problem. If it doesn't you might have to make a minor adjustment (shorten) your OAL, but unless you have a bad chamber that's it. Chris Christian

A seperate taper crimp die is IMHO mandatory for semi-auto loads. That's one more loading step than revolver rounds require. You may have to acquire one (RCBS, Hornady) as some of the "factory crimping dies" in a three die set are crap.... that fourth die step makes a lot of difference. As for OAL... my prodcedure has always been to find a factory load in the same bullet weight/shape that feeds well... stick it in the shellholder... back off on the seating plug... run the loaded round up... and tighten the seating plug to a snug fit on top of the bullet. It seems to work, and any further adjustments are minor. I routinely pick up range brass and other than sorting out the crap headstamps, my RCBS sizing die (set right down to the shellholder) does fine, and I'm sure a goodly number of those range brass cases were fired from a Glock (IDPA range). Reloading perfect 9mm is a snap with a taper crimp die and full length resizing. Don't sweat the belling dimensions... open the case mouth enough for the bullet to make a clean entry and not shave, and the taper crimp die takes care of everything else. You don't need to sort cases by length. The 9mm... even on repeated firings... isn't going to stretch enough to make any difference. Your problems sound like crimp. A taper crimp die should solve them. Chris Christian

#53750, as previously noted. Chris Christian

I just got a new lot of Speer Lawman 158 grain TMJ +P in. #53750. From a four inch Ruger GP-100 .357 Mag, on my Oehler 35P, it ran 835-870 fps at 76 degrees air temp. You only need 793 fps to make 125 with a 158 bullet. It was also very accurate ( two inch full cylinder groups at 25 yards from a bench rest). I've had some other lots of 158 Lawman that were really flirting with the required velocity... some chambers made it barely... some didn't... but this lot makes it easily from all six chambers. Chris Christian

Just to clarify my own position (and one that I think, based upon previous posts, is shared by Watson, Moore and Koski) is that I'll cut a "newbie" slack as long as safety is not compromised. Once they are no longer a newbie... the Rule Book comes into play. They are required to be a member by their second match, and a Rule Book is included in the membership package. If they read it, fine. If not, they'll learn the Rule Book 3 seconds at a time. But, I'm not gonna Range Nazi someone at their first, or even second club match. Chris Christian

Odd thought on this thread but, I see four posters (Moore, Koski, Watson, and myself) who would allow a new shooter to start condition three. Of the four I know that at least three have a Master classification in at least one gun division, and I believe at least three (don't know about Rob Moore) are also certified SOs. Is it possible that experienced upper level shooters are a bit more charitable to newbies? I know Bones is also a Master/SO, but he's not normally charitable regarding rules, so I'll just leave the question hanging. Chris Christian

I have a 4 inch Ruger GP-100 with FO front sight and adjustable rear, and a 3 inch GP-100 with fixed sights (flourescent orange front) that I have zeroed for 158 loads. I have shot both extensively in IDPA and I score better with the 4 inch. The 3 inch is quicker, and works well if the COF is short targets (where you are more or less point shooting at a full target) but, there are times when NTs and hardcover make some tight shots, even at closer ranges, and the 3 inch lacks there. Nowdays the 3 inch is just a BUG or back up gun. I think you'll be happier with the M15 four inch and adjustable sights. Chris Christian

Regarding new shooters at a club level match using the Israili (Condition 3) rack the slide on the draw. I agree with Jim Watson (normally do) and suprisingly with Koski (seldom do). For a new shooter at the club level I would let them do it until... or if... they displayed unsafe behavior. I would also 'splain to them the drawbacks to it... but I would leave it up to the shooter... at least at that level. We were all newbies once... and generally continued on to become "not newbies" because we didn't encounter a Range Nazi who made our first IDPA experience an unpleasant one. I understand the need for the Rule Book, and I carry one in my shooting bag. But, as one who deals with a lot of new shooters from a SO position, I also understand that sometimes the rules could be bent a bit... at the club level... for the benefit of the shooters... and ultimately IDPA. Chris Christian

You didn't mention which "game" you are playing. I can only address IDPA rules. When they say "two on paper" they are telling you that if the COF (stage) is a Vickers Count score they will score the best two rounds on the target, and you must fire at least two rounds at that target, and extra shots incur no penalty. If it is a Limited Vickers score then you are only allowed to shoot two rounds at the target and extra rounds will incur a penalty. As for steel, in IDPA it is normally shot until down. If steel targets are mixed with paper targets the stage is supposed to be scored Vickers, so you can shoot as many as you want, or as many as it takes. USPSA rules are similar, but you need to get a clarification from the RO since I am not current on them. Chris Christian

The rules are same same RE: cone style barrels less than 4.2 inch legal.. in ESP as well as CDP. Chris Christian

Factory installed cone style barrels are legal in CDP on pistols with a barrel length of 4.2 inches or less. Chris Christian

I'm not familiar with the material in the Tactical frame. The Rule Book states, specifically for CDP, under excluded modifications... "Full length dust covers of carbon or stainless steel". If the Tactical frame is polymer... good to go full length. If it is steel (carbon or stainless) then if you cut the dust cover back 1/2 inch you are also good to go (at least in this SOs opinion). Another question is whether this dust cover is a "modification" as opposed to a factory installed feature. I'll leave that to others to discuss. But, if in doubt, cut a half inch off the dust cover. Shouldn't affect squat... but will make the gun legal. And, the Rule Book specifically states that " High capacity pistols can be used as long as the pistol meets ALL division criteria". Chris Christian

+1 to JD45's focussing method. It's what I do and I should have mentioned it. Chris Christian