bthp

You could also try Robbie Wheaton at Wheaton Arms. Good guy, reasonably priced and he shoots matches, so he knows what works.

"Unfortunately the new range layout and restrictions on arcs of fire limit our ability to stretch stages over vast tracts of land more so than in the past..." This sounds as if there will be fewer longer range shots. Can you tell us the approximate range of the longest shots?

Thanks for the input. I will probably use my remaining rounds for my bolt guns and look for some 155 OTM.

So I picked up some Hornady .308, 155 grn AMAX Match loads (#8095PM, Brown box, not Superformance) to try in my Heavy Metal Rifle. I had been training with American Eagle 150 grn FMJ BT, so I was able to readjust my zero with only a few shots. However, after shooting a few I noticed the box read "not intended for use in semi-automatic rifles." Is this stuff okay to use in AR-10 type rifles? If not, what factory match load do you use for the long range shots with your HM rifle?

So the 3rd has come and gone, was there any movement on the list? Any idea what number they are up to?

Does anyone know where the cut off was? It seems registration number 158 is the highest anyone has posted here. Did anyone get in around the 200 mark?

I also like the 20 inch, and that's how Stoner designed it. I've been using the 20 inch Criterion Hybrid and I like it alot.

Nordic sent me a nut so that I could use the plus five tube off of my Winchester SX3 on an A400. The odd thing was, the tube on the Beretta actually made it a plus six instead of a plus five.

My Beretta dealer called me the other day and said that the 21 inch version was available for order. I believe he said that the 24" would arrive later (September/October). He recently loaned me an A400 and I shot it at a local match. Nordic sent me a receiver tube nut, so I took my plus five tube off of my SX3 and put it on the A400. The odd thing was, with this tube on the Beretta, I was able to actually get plus six. The A400 had a 26" barrel, so the tube was about an inch shorter than the barrel. I believe the major difference in the two shotguns will be the kick off system and the gas system on the A400. The 1301 has the Extrema 2 gas system and no kickoff. This makes the 1301 about a pound lighter. The 1301 also has some 3 gun specific features that most people have done by a gunsmith. The A400 also only comes with a 26 or 28 inch barrel. The 1301 is 21 or 24. I've been holding off on getting the A400, so I can see what the feedback will be on the 1301 once it hits the street. I liked shooting the 1301 out in Vegas, but I do like that kick off system on the A400.

I enjoyed shooting the match. This was my first time shooting it, but I think I'll do it again next year.

Did anyone else here get to shoot the new (to the US) Model 1301 at the USPSA Multi Gun Nationals? Beretta put on a side match with it and you can check out the winner (Taran Butler) on You Tube - 5 steel and 2 flying clays in 1.89 seconds. Just Google Beretta Model 1301 and it should be one of the first videos that pops up. If I remember correctly, it has an A400 receiver, but with the Extrema 2 gas system. This was supposed to be a weight savings feature over the A400's gas system. It also has a factory enlarged loading port, large cocking knob, oversized bolt release and 24" barrel (21 will also be available). It did not have the "Kick Off" system as the A400, but it was a very light gun. I like the A400 Extreme, but this gun was shorter, lighter and seemed to handle faster. I believe the rep said it would be available in June for around $1,100. I was curious if anyone else who had an opportunity to shoot it had any other observations/opinions?

Another option might be one of the 18" or 20" FN HBAR barrels that PK Firearms is offering. Both have the rifle length gas system and are available with or without the front sight. They are CHF, MP, 5.56 chamber, chrome lined. I think Noveske and a few others use the FN barrels for their chrome lined models as well. If the HBAR is too heavy for you, you could always have ADCO flute or turn it down a bit. Palmetto State Armory also has a deal on 69 Grn Match ammo: $9.99 per box. I stopped in this week and picked up some of this as well - it should work well with the FN 1/7 twist. I have one of the Criterion 18" Hybrid barrels in .308. As Benny mentioned, their barrels shoot lights out (not that I do). I decided to try the FN barrel this time around, but I may still pick up one of the Criterion barrels in .223.

I haven't tried the SN-4 so I can't give a fair comparison. However, I have 3 Swaro Z6s including the 1-6, BRT-I. I really like the Swaros and the glass used in these scopes. Very bright and clear. With that said, one that you may want to consider (not sure of your time frame) is the new Leupold 1-6 tactical with the 34 mm tube. I'm going to pick one up - because I liked the one I handled at SHOT, but also to compare it to my Swaros.

I'd like to give it a try.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to look into the different load options. Any opinions on the Lothar Walther or Criterion/Fulton Armory barrel?

Thanks for the info on the barrel length. What twist rate are your JP barrels?

I thought I would try HM Class this year. The two barrels that have caught my eye are the Lothar Walther LW 50 barrels (20 inch, can be profiled to desired weight), which features a 1x11 twist, or the Fulton Armory/Criterion lightweight (18.5 inch, 2.4 pounds), chrome lined, 1x10 twist. I plan to use bullets in the 147 grain to 155 grain weight. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any other suggestions regarding barrel length, rifle twist would be welcomed as well.

I checked out the Bushnell and the Leupold Tactical - Mark 6, 1 x 6 last week at SHOT. With a 34 mm main tube, 1st focal plane reticle, and suggested retail much less than the Swarovski Z6, I think it will be a winner. I liked the CMR-W reticle, with holds for both the 7.62 and 5.56. The Leupold rep said they would be available in April. I'll definitely pick one up. I'll be interested in comparing it side by side with my Swarovskis. Although the Bushnell seemed nice as well, it's suggested retail was in the ball park with the Leupold. I didn't spend as much time with the Bushnell, but it seemed the Leupold was considerably better. I didn't know about the Vortex, so I didn't get to check it out. The US Optics 1 x 6 was nice as well.

I received a response from Polle, looks like I'll make it back again this year.

Does anyone have any hotel suggestions? Is it better to stay in Crawfordsville or in Memphis?

Not sure if this counts as an SLP mod, but I switched from a 26" barrel on my Winchester SX 3 to a 24" vent ribbed SLP barrel. The SLP barrel works fine on the Winchester and handles better. I'm still getting adjusted to the switch from a Benelli, and the slugs impact high at 50 and 75 yards,but I think it ultimately will work out better.

I haven't seen much about these in a while. Is anyone using them in the 3 gun scene?

Thanks for the additional opinions on the steel frame. So, maybe these things can be made to work. It still seems odd that they would make (and sell) a frame that gets battered so badly as some of the threads indicate.

That SJC Conv Comp Mount seems like an interesting idea. Has anyone tried these? I wonder how well it would work with a compensated G17/22.

Thanks guys for the informative responses. I'll give CCF a call on Monday to see what they have to say about the frame. Based on the responses, it seems that the steel frame isn't such a good idea. I like my G34 so well, maybe I'll just buy a top end conversion.