GOF

How prevalent are .32 Magnums in ICORE? I've never seen one used. Has anyone else seen them? And what do they do to make the 120PF.

I have used Xtreme bullets for years. But I always ordered by phone because I am very reluctant to type a credit card number into a computer. You never truly know who else is looking. About six months ago I called to order. They said they were no longer accepting phone orders because (in the lady's own words) ... . "We are a web based business." My guess, especially after reading the above posts, is that they are toast. I have no regrets, because Bayou Bullets do everything the Xtremes did for me. And I can call a phone order and have it in my PO box is a couple of days.

As noted, it's probably challenging for a casual concealed carrier, or recreational shooter. For a reasonably skilled competition shooter?... not much. A 2 sec draw/first shot, .75 sec splits for the other nine (a pretty long split!) = 8.75 sec. A C class shooter can make that.

For Steel Challenge in my Ruger PC --- 105 grain 9mm Bayou, 3.3 grains N310. One inch 3 shot groups from a 25 yard bench rest and it kicks like my 10/22. N310 also burns very clean... very little carbon build up. Dirty powders in blow back actions are a malf waiting to happen. Ejection is positive and 5-6 feet. I can't complain... their 95 grain RN works with the same powder charge, same recoil, and 1.75 inch groups. One thing about the PC.... the chamber seems to be a bit shorter than my M&P pistols. Don't leave any more than a hint of driving band above the case mouth. It will engage the rifling and prevent going into battery... ask me how I know (LOL). I didn't measure the OAL, I just shortened it to where it worked.

I use a SIG ROMEO1 on their Picatinny mount. I like a longer stock and installed spacers to 14 1/8 LOP. The sight alignment is perfect for me.... hit the mount and the dot is right there. It's no different than my 10/22.

Atlanta Arms Select 100 Steel Challenge makes 129 PF from my Ruger PC, and is VERY SOFT. Their 115 Select Steel Challenge makes 135 PF, with a barest hint of increased recoil. Both (with a 6 MOA dot reflex sight) will hold sub-1.5 inch groups from a 25 yard bench.

ROs aren't mind readers and shouldn't 'play one on the range'. There is a rule book for things like this. Follow the Rules. ROs who want to be 'mind readers' (I've seen a few) shouldn't be ROs. Just my .02c.

Why not do it? Why not run the gear you plan on defending your life with... as opposed to competition-rigged guns that you wouldn't EDC? It's a lot better practice on all facets of EDC than just sending a few round leisurely down range. A few years back I shot the Federal Air Marshall qualifier course with my EDC, and my normal dress. I cleaned it! I then felt a lot more confident with that EDC set up. Why not do it?

Bayou Bullet 105 grain 9mm. 3.3 N310. Sweet (3 round groups under 1.5 inch, 25 yard bench with 6 MOA reflex dot), and not much more recoil than my Ruger 10/22. Also, very clean burning... important in a blow back action.

I have a Nemesis in for a T&E. It's VERY SWEET! ... 1.5 pound trigger... groups under 2 inches (25 yard bench and old eyes) with any Major load, and 1.5-inch with Atlanta Arms Major & Minor. It's 95% reliable with the Minor... change to a 9 or 10 pound spring (comes with an 11) and you can run Minor in Steel Challenge with just a spring change. The POI difference between the Major loads and the AA Minor was less than 1.5-inches. Fit and finish as what you'd expect to see on a $4750 gun - flawless!

No I did not. But I'm betting it's over 900 fps, and about a 170 PF. That's pretty standard for non +p 185 loads.

Their 185 grain JHP Elite might be something to consider. I recently tested it in two Colt and one Ruger 1911 and it was the most accurate in all three, and the softest recoiling factory .45 ACP among the loads I tested.

You can't put 8 rounds in the Match Champion GP-100 frame (it's K-frame size). BUT, Ruger just introduced an 8 shot .357 Redhawk (N-frame) that is cut for moon clips. I have one. Shoots with or without moon clips (3 are supplied with the gun and Ruger has extra moon clips). Full cylinder 8 round 25 yard bench rest groups in the 2.5-inch range. Wolff has a spring kit. The factory grips suck, but Hogue has a Monogrip for it. I like this gun. YMMV

I have used the 124 Bayou TCG for years in my two M&P 9mms. I recently got some of the new 120 TCG heads. I loaded them exactly the same (powder, OAL, crimp) as the 124 and they performed the same... and to the same POI. I see no difference.

A Ruger MIV, in whatever option you choose, is very easy to thoroughly clean. That's important with a .22LR pistol. None of them run well when dirty. Adding a reflex sight adds little weight to a Ruger if you opt for a Burris FFIII or a Trijicon. Grips, triggers, and other stuff are readily available on the aftermarket (Volquartsen is very good). It's a solid and accurate pistol that won't break the bank. Sorry about the italics. Couldn't kill them and run straight fonts.

Yes you can. High impact polycarbonate lenses are available from most optical shops. I have a set with Active Transition in a wrap around Costa Del Mar frame. They are a single vision prescription with the focus distance set to 25-inches. The sights are sharp, the targets not so much. But I can read a license plate at 13 yards with them. IDPA MA in SSP/BUG, and EX in ALL other divisions. They work for me. I had the frames, and the proper prescription, and they ran me about $150. There is an excellent article on the NRA ssusa.org website (Shooting Sports USA) entitled "RX For Aging Eyes" it is filed under author Chris Christian archives. It was done with an eye doctor and is very informative.

I've not used the Blue Bullet, but the Bayou 124 TCG (truncated cone) is extremely accurate in my 9mms.

Given the parameters you laid out, my suggestion would be from a 25 yard rest. Don't brace the pistol front and rear. Just use a soft rest under your hands to support the gun, with your arms in full extension like you would have shooting freestyle. Once you get the gun zeroed that way you can make minor sight adjustments for freestyle when you become comfortable with the gun. But, you have to start somewhere, and this is a good starting point. Hope that helps. double post.. somehow... sorry

Given the parameters you laid out, my suggestion would be from a 25 yard rest. Don't brace the pistol front and rear. Just use a soft rest under your hands to support the gun, with your arms in full extension like you would have shooting freestyle. Once you get the gun zeroed that way you can make minor sight adjustments for freestyle when you become comfortable with the gun. But, you have to start somewhere, and this is a good starting point. Hope that helps.

Swapped S&W Victory for a Ruger MKIV. Volquartsen match trigger, pic rail, Burris 8 MOA FFIII. Currently, Ruger MKIII-style target grips, but waiting for something better. Reason for swapping... better trigger, eats any load I feed it, ... .1/2 inch 25 yard accuracy....and strips for a thorough cleaning in seconds, without the wrench. Love it!

I think Steel Challenge is a valuable game, regardless of what other games you shoot. The draw, presentation, wide transitions... under pressure on the clock are helpful. Another facet is that many shooters with iron sights tend to miss steel poppers & plates in the other games because they are only infrequently seen and their different size/color/shape can have shooter focusing on the target instead of their sights. Steel helps there, although it's not that big a factor for optical sight shooters because they are already in a 'target focus' mode.

How 'bout this name for the division "Poor Relations Open"... or PRO. Whatever ya call it, it's a lot of fun... especially starting with 22+1!

I put a Ruger BX Trigger into a 10/22 recently. It dropped the 5.5 pound factory trigger pull down to 2 pounds 7 ounces, with very little take up, no creep, and a fast reset. I have no complaints.

I think that some portion of the bullet strike mark should be visible on the front of the plate. Just "some portion". Trying to regulate how much can lead to much gray area. As long as there is some splash mark on the front it should be a hit. This will eliminate those rounds that just scrape the edge of the plate... leave a black mark only on the side edge... and no indication of a hit on the front portion of the plate. This would make officiating simple and easy IMHO.

I would never do it! I have had one or two (Federal) primers ignite in a hand priming tool over the years. No big deal, then, just a pop. Now imagine if that primer was in a loaded cartridge just a foot or so from your face when it ignited. It would be a grenade! It's not worth the risk. Just dump those loads in the practice bucket.