Erik S.

Interesting thing with the lube. I guess you can't trust the bottle when it says it's intert. Thank you for taking the time to post your solution! That will help alot of reloaders here FINALLY learn to NOT lube their pistol cartridges when using carbide dies.

Either it's not for a beginner or he is a jackwagon. I can see a benchrest rifle shooter not sharing his load with a competitor, but we're talking about minute of A-zone out to about 50yds here. Not rocket science to get a load like that out of an STI Eagle. Either way, I second going lighter than 220, but that's my opinion. I'd stop around 200. There are plenty of powders and 180 grainers out there to find a nice soft shooting combo that will shoot well enough for USPSA/IPSC. Especially out of that 6" gun you've got.

Note: Assuming you're using a Dillon 550: If your powder plunger is set up properly, you should never have a problem actuating the bar on the UPWARDS stroke. It sounds like you've got the problem fixed for now, but there may still be something configured improperly on your press. Try tightening down the nut on the failsafe rod (the rod that goes from the powder system to your shellplate). If it's too lose, the rounded ends of the levers on the powder system will be contacting something on the upstroke. This could cause binding of some sort. Either way, if it WAS binding, you'd end up with a seriously belled case mouth. Is your powder die screwed down far enough so that the powder funnel/plunger inside the powder die is FULLY actuating the powder bar? Also a note on the weighing technique. Definitely a no-go with only 3.6 grains of powder. Granted I'm loading for .45 and have much heavier bullets, but I've had bullets themselves vary by that much (since I shoot lead). Considering that as well as case weight variation, be very careful when using that approach. *edit for clarity

I doubt you'll want to go 9mm major in anything but an open gun.

That is actually a VERY accurate list!!! Consider each item seriously. Don't blow all your cash on the equipment and not have enough for primers, bullets, and brass. If you can't afford a GOOD press and the components, eat rice and beans for a few more weeks till you can afford it. You will want to actually TRY your machine and if you don't have the stuff to start loading, you'll get burnt out. You can easily spend as much as the reloading components as you do on the press. If someone comes to me and wants to start SERIOUSLY reloading right out of the gate, I usually tell them to save between $1200-$1500 then come talk to me. I usually point them in the right direction with a list that's almost identical to this one.

I would have never thought that there might be a sleeper on this show!!! After watching Jay's audition video, I'm becoming more and more skeptical of the skill he's "portraying" in the series so far. ..... very interesting..... Will be interested to see if Chris T even gets to shoot the open gun. One thing I find myself craving is to see these IPSC/USPSA guys/gals shine. I looked up Chris T on USPSA.org and he's unclassified for revolver. Is it possible that could be the reason for his less than desirable performance so far? Perhaps he doesn't have as much all-around experience with firearms that some of the "average joes" do. Put a 1911/2011 in his hands, though, and watch him shine. It will be interesting to see how the show advances. I guess I focus on the competitive shooters more because that's what I'm interested in. Not throwing knives/axes.

you don't have to wait for the beam to settle. I started on a beam too and got pretty good with it where I could read the center of the oscillation to determine if I was "on" or not. Digital scale, no guess work, almost instant readout, no small parts.

This is my personal opinion only, but if you must shoot the .22 and .45 in the same range session, shoot the .22 last and don't go back to the .45. I believe it will be counter productive since even good shooters have trouble re-adjusting to the .45 recoil. Best scenario (especially if you live relatively close to a range), shoot only one per range session. Hopefully you'll get some more responses from the others about what worked for them. Welcome to the forums!!

I'd buy this one: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49772 KILLER deal!!!!

In talking to and reading posts from past competitors and current competitors I get the feeling that safety has been a paramount concern of the shows producers. Maybe they can chime in again to alleviate your concerns. I'm glad there is an emphasis on safety behind the scenes. No need to have them chime in, I'll take your word for it. Perhaps they should simply emphasize it a bit more in the show....not to the point of overkill where non-shooting viewers get sick of the "safety talk" and are turned off because guns seem so dangerous. Maybe say something like "if a shooter exhibits negligence with the firearm, such and such penalty applies". Like on the elimination comps, if you violate certain rules, it's an immediate DQ resulting in a loss. This does NOT mean they have to use USPSA/IDPA rules, they can make up their own specific to their competition. I don't know....just a thought. I'm not a TV producer. note: guns ARE dangerous, but only when used improperly.

Safety should be taken more seriously and there should be penalties for ad's or finger on trigger/180 rule

How do you know?

You will have an advantage over the guys shooting .45. Chances are, they just didn't spend the extra cash for a custom steel challenge build. I would bring it up to the RO and see if he'll change your division.

Did you have a gunsmith put the new barrel in? Sometimes they need to be fitted...if not properly done, that alone can cause serious accuracy problems. If you want to stick with the Glock, have a gunsmith look it over. Wouldn't hurt to have him do a range test as part of the work. They usually charge a bit extra for that, but in your case it might be worth it. That would keep you from having to take it back to him time and time again if the problem's not fixed the first time.

Try some federal small pistol primers....if pressure is an issue since you're shooting open, switch to fed small rifle. Good luck!

Reading that literally gave me goosebumps! Good for them that they are stand-up guys and proudly serve our country! That is rare these days. Thanks for sharing and glad you didn't have to make the 7hr drive again to get your car.

Definitely dress the part! That's a biggie! Nix the skinny leg pants below the butt (like the kid in the mill refinish thread photos) if that's your everyday style.

Glock nailed for shooting left on national tv. LOL. Only kidding about the stab at Glocks....I literally busted out laughing when Jay said the gun was shooting low left "for him". Can anyone say trigger control issue!?

Those are good drills! Some in there I have not thought to practice. Thanks!

4.3gr Clays behind 200gr moly coated LSWC.

That's why you never shoot both the .22 and .45 in the same range session. I think there was another thread where the detrimental effects of this are discussed. Of course, this only applies when you're essentially treating both the .22 and .45 as the same gun for practice purposes. (i.e. .22 top end)

I don't even have a scale that measures out to 3 decimal places. I can throw multiple charges and weigh the lot to get an average, but that's getting a bit nitpicky for me. In 9mm, a 0.10gr difference WOULD raise suspicion, but I would not fret with the variance you have here. I'd say your WAY ahead, actually. Typically, I can expect about the same error on my Dillon 550B. Good luck and may this thread put your mind at ease.

This is by no means meant to be a "1 up", but I'd say something is seriously wrong with either your ammo, trigger control, platform, or gun. Your glock should be much more accurate than that. I can hit the 8" circular steel plate at 45-50yds 6 out of 8 times standing freestyle and every time from a rest. If you're experiencing those groups from a rest and you're confident on your trigger control. Ditch the ammo...if that doesn't fix it, ditch the gun and buy a 1911.

This is probably the best advice you could get. Buy one of those packages from Brian and never look back. Trust me, if you're only shooting 1 caliber (for now), the 550 will be plenty fast. I have trouble shooting all the ammo I reload. Unless you're retired, or shooting is your job, you'll have more loaded ammo than you know what to do with. Good luck!

I have a dead battery in mine.....I'll take it out first thing when I get home. I have noticed that my screen has dimmed down over time although it is still consistent. That wasn't a symptom before yours crashed, was it? Either way, if this one croaks, I'll send it off to Dillon and if they actually TELL ME that it was damaged because I left the battery in, I'll whine till the cows come home . That is BS that something that simple would jack up a scale...especially if it's not in the instructions in bold print not to use both power sources or your scale will break (that's coming from a Dillon fan). If I ever have to send it in, I'll just order one of Brian's super lifetime warranty scales in the meantime .