g mac

yeah, save your money for the STI, you won't regret it

Shoot until you get tired, taking breaks in between while having fun at the range. When it gets tedious and not fun anymore, then pack it up and go home, until next time again. Oh, try practicing with less punishing gun like a .22, 9mm, etc...I guess, anything less than a .454 Casull

BE forums are excellent source of knowledge and experiences. Keep reading different topics from here, you'll learn a lot.

I used Burris TAC30 (1x-4x)for local 3G competition, works good for me. I could easily take accurate shots up to 200yrds (max range we have locally). Nikon M223 scopes are good too.

You can start with the powder manufacturers' recommended load data or the bullet manufacturers' load data as well, then work your way up for personal load data.

Pretend you're actually shooting to save someone's life, then you'll be more careful to ensure you shoot the bad guy

1x on close range, and 4x 50-200yards and beyond. Burris Tac30 on 18"bbl AR15.

Maybe, your loads( c.o.l) are too long? Try factory loads, or shorter c.ol. and see if it still happens. Try different bullet heads. Check extractor, or recoil spring might too light? Is your crimp good enough?

Hello, what recoil spring rate (lbs.) are you running on your open gun, and WHY? I have two open guns, one STI with EGW 7 port comp, and one Caspian with old Limcat comp (3 ports on top, 2 under the comp tunnel with 2 vertical holes at the end) , both non-hybrid barrels. I use 10lbs wolff recoil springs on both, dot tracking is good, better than a 9 lbs. spring. Both guns have slide lightening (maybe 10.5 or 11 oz) My loads on both: 8.1grs Ramshot Silhouette, 124grs MG CMJ, C.O.L. 1.245" Thanks.

I use any gun oil I could find...they all work, no problem. Don't be shy on putting plenty oil on 1911s as they like to run on the wet side. Lots of guys use motor oil, i guess it works.

Any brand of reloading dies for rifle works. I had used RCBS, Lee, and Hornady dies on RCBS single stage press loading .223, 6.8spc, .243, .450 bushmaster, .308, .30 carbine, 7.62x39, .270, etc. with no problems. I like the hornady dies with bullet guide sleeve (it guides the bullet in place when seating). To me, single stage is better for making accurate loads for accuracy, but for volume/plinking shooting, progressive is the way to go. The most important thing is to size your brass as far/deep as the maximum the sizing dies would allow, and also trimming the brass to the correct size. Good luck!

For me, shooting lead bullets feel softer in felt recoil. Lead bullets are used in other guns, so why not on the STI edge

Cost per round is about 1/3 or less from retail factory loaded rounds. Reloading is not only for saving money, but for other reasons such as: enjoyment (people actually enjoy reloading), availability of ammo (ammo are scarce in some areas, or factories don't make certain ammo anymore), finding the most accurate custom loads, and re-cycling (saving mother earth.

pictures will help with diagnosis

Yeah, don't try and shoot like the guys who has been shooting for a while. Speed will come. Take just enough time to get "A's",listen to advices, use what works for you, and dis-regard what does not. Watch and learn from the best shooters, take videos, and study theirs and your movements. Dry fire, practice draws, and aiming at home. Buy second hand gears and equipment, you'll save a lot of money and frustrations. Stick with one gun, be proficient with it. Wait until you find the right gear/equipment setup before plunging down on buying spree. Do research and read (BE forums). Reload, you'll need lots of ammo. Exercise to be physically fit to run stages, and do arm/grip strength exercises to hold gun/control-handle recoil...Practice, practice, practice,have fun, be safe..Practice, practice, practice,have fun, be safe..Practice, practice, practice,have fun, be safe. Cheers!

red or blue press will both work either way with your current situation...beats loading with single stage, especially when you need lots of ammo to practice and compete. Go to youtube, both red and blue presses has videos about them. I have the red (Hornady LNL), it was cheaper, but works for me. It came with free Hornandy bullets (500rds). I had been doing single stage reloading with RCBS, until I started to shoot USPSA competitions. Most guys in my club told me to go with dillion, but with limited funds, I went with the Hornady LNL. It was so easy to setup for me, and I have no problems whatsover with it. I only load pistol rounds, 9mm, .40 cal, .45 acp, .38 super,.357/.38 special. It's so easy to change dies, just twist n turn. Changing shell plates takes a little longer, need to use allen wrench to change. I don't have to load really fast so it works for me. I usually load only 300-500 rds at any given session. Anyway, good luck, and progressive is way to go for volume reloading. Cheers!

Practice, practice, practice! Eventually, you'll get used to your new set-up/gear and be good at it, then you will move on to buy another gun/gear...never ending quest to perfection/satisfaction

I wonder why they don't make 9 or 10 moa..it would seem to be good sizes?

We had one guy (older gentleman)in our club shoots with gloves on for a little while, then quits. Other than that, nobody uses glove(s) while shooting. I guess, it all depends on the individual, and what is feels for him/her. This is a weird example (no offense intended): just like wearing a condom, some people like it some don't

On my Ruger MK III 22/45 hunter (6" barrel), I have a C-more slideride with dot size of 8 moa, same one I use for my .38 supercomp Open gun. I like the c-mores because of the wide field of view. I wanted to set it up like my open gun with a 90 degree mount, but I don't think nobody makes a 90 degree side mount for Ruger rimfire pistols yet. The idea is to be able to practice cheaper with the Ruger for dot sight tracking and muscle memory.

I have mine on the left side. It feels more natural for me, than flipping/tilting the gun to its side as when the racker is on the right side. It keeps my gun pointing consistently as when changing mags. Like everything else, it's personal preference, how it feels to the shooter, and practice makes perfect.

I used to shoot different guns when shooting at my local club. Then, the more experienced shooters told me that I'll never get good for shooting different guns all the time. They told me to shoot one gun at a time, maybe 6-month to a year to get good and used to a particular one, I guess, muscle memory. So, I did that and voila!, so my shooting ability is getting better and better with a particular gun. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Hello, do you know if there's a race holster and mag pouches for .22 cal rimfire (Ruger 22/45MK III with c-more set-up) "open pistol" for cheaper stage practice? Thanks in advance.

Sorry, I meant what ever weight (pounds:)..I think, we need spell check in the forums