warpspeed

I had 2 sample packs of bullets from Montana Gold. All the 115 gr JHP measured .5535" OAL, but the 115 gr FMJ were .5610" OAL, a difference of 75 thousandths. I think that the bullet length itself is not a big issue as much as the shape. Depending on you seating dies, if you switch back and forth, the point on the bullet that contacts the dies will result in a different amount of the bullet in the case and subsequent OAL of teh loaded bullet. So if you are concerned, you will need to have a different OAL for each bullet. And I would think in 38 super,loading to major pf, you would be.

my experience has been the FMJ are less picky about the OAL than the JHP. The JHP are more accurate so for me it's worth the time to find the right OAL to make them feed 100%. As far as the same dimensions, I don't know. I'll have to measure.

jhgtyre, Thumbhole is considered a pistol grip.

TommyC, Ditto Carlos. If you can afford it, buy the gun.

Dogmadog, If it were legal, would you be seen shooting a pink AR? I've seen a purple one though

My STI Edge doesn't jam. Aftec extractor, Grams Eng basepads, springs & followers. And of course, roll sized brass http://www.competitionbrass.com

EricW, When you get done with the dremel and file, use some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper to get the plastic back to original finish.

KAL, the one thing it does that a sizing die can't is reshape the rim on the case. The other thing is it resizes the case the entire length and does it by pushing in instead of squeezing down. And no, it will not work on loaded ammo.

I like the tube scopes, ADCO to be exact. Frame mounted on a Grams Eng mount.

I didn't think that Marlin made them anymore . I know Ruger makes it as a PC9 (9x19) and a PC4 in 40 S&W. They take the P series handgun mags, at one time available in 30 rds. But again, unless you have the mags already, you will be stuck with 10 rds. Lots of mag changes.

<shameless plug mode on> If you want to try some rollsized brass to see if the investment is worth it, try: http://www.competitionbrass.com Brass available in 40 & 9 or you can have your own brass processed if you shoot 38 super or 9x21 or 9x23.

I like the crushed walnut shells they sell for reptile bedding. Just as cheap and usually very small in size. Some places sell it in bulk (25lbs) or by the pound. @ Petco, etc it is quite pricey, definately try feed stores instead.

Bowtie, I shoot 9x19 in the 38 super mags all the time. OAL and bullet shape can make all the difference in the world so if you have problems, try that. I run 1.080 with a 115 JHP for a steel load and they feed fine. before switching teh supoermags around, give it a try, it just might work. The best ones are the SVI but the STI work fine. I do not use the spacer but I suppose you could. I use the same setup for 38 super as well. Good luck.

Jody, I have eliminated the "bulge" problem by using roll sized brass. You will hear many pros & cons but for me, the end result is all ammo passes the checker and none of it fails to feed or extract. I'm sure that the "U"die works great but the ideal resize is to roll the bulge back in, not push it down and in. Plus, the roll sizing redimensions the rim. This helps with extracton as well as feeding. for more info, www.competitionbrass.com BTW,since the 9x21 is not readliy available as once-fired, you can have your brass rollsized. Might just be the fix.

racer x, I see you are in SoCal. Where do you get your lead bullets at?

Jody, Is there a reason why they are so expensive in Canada? I shoot Montana Gold 115g JHP. They are about 46/ M by the case. On a good week, I'll get in 500 rounds for practice so I have been in search of the least expensive projectice possible. I have found some lead that is about $ 6/M cheaper but the smoke and lead is not worth it. You might want to check them outand see what shipping to the Great White North would be. http://www.montanagoldbullet.com As for lead, I really like the accuracy of these http://www.dj-bullets.com/lead/lead.htm but the savings is not that significant, for me. (Edited by warpspeed at 10:42 am on Nov. 26, 2002)

Bag it.

Chris, Thanks for the tip, I'll try that.

I really like them because of the adjustability in the mount. Only drawback is that they do not stay put very well. You need to make sure that they are very secure on your belt or else they slide around. I use a Safariland belt and if I do not make sure the velcro is firmly attached, they have a tendency to slide.

My 2 pennies.... Open should mean Open. no restrictions on equipment. period If they just scored it all major like they score all production minor, all this would go away. Let's face it, we shoot open because we like (or need) a dot scope. The rest just goes along with it. My idea, for what it's worth, is make Open major only with a major only floor of whatever is safe and put the whole thing to bed. If you show up and the ammo is less, you get DQ'd, isn't that what happens in Production? As for 9mm being allowed, just lower the pf for Open to 150 and be done with it. And let the gaming begin!!!

Now, I'm not one to complain about price, but the reason I drive a Ford and not a Mercedes has more to do with the price of the rig than it does with the quality or features/benifits of the product. I'm sure that the Zeiss scopes are really nice and all, but the price tag of $ 1600 is a little much, don't you think? Or do you really get what you pay for?

Erik, What kind of stock did it have?

Chi, These folks list a M14A2 receiver for sale: http://www.entreprise.com/ I have no idea who or what they are .... but they sure are proud of their stuff Very pricey. I think I'd buy a Springfield M1A. Springfield supports our sport & sponsors TGO. Seems good enough to me.

DBritt, To answer your question... I shot just about every incarnation of the XD they make at a XD match in SoCal a couple of weeks ago. I hated the 357 sig. perhaps hate is not a stong enough word. Unless you are in love with the ballistics, stay away from the 357 sig. The 9mm was beautiful. Much more comfortable, to me , than a Glock. The 40 S&W was nice too. More recoil,as you would imagine. See if you can try one out. Like Viatly says, the 9mm is cheaper to shoot. All that said, I'll stick with my STI for competition.

OK, Got a Question. I am hearing that it makes a decent 3-gun. So my question is what configuration would make sense?