tkheard

I've had my 550B for a few months now and have gotten pretty comfortable with it. My throughput rate has been pretty low. 100 rds 9mm in 45 minutes. That hasn't really bothered me because I'm still being very careful to "check everything" with each pull of the handle. When I set up my press, I set the power funnel to bell the cases per the manual. It worked fine with the first batch of bullets that I had. I switched to Berry's plated 147gn and had to "steady" the bullet into the seating die. Yesterday, I had a "well, you dummy!" moment. It dawned on me that I should adjust the powder funnel down just a touch to increase the bell for the bullets. I know, I should have thought of that before. So I've moved from less than 150/hour to right at 300/hour with that change. Yes I'm still checking each station before pulling the handle. And, no more worries about pinched fingers as the ram rises!

Hello, On some of the cartridges I've reloaded, once in a while when lowering the ram, it seems to want to stop. If I pull the lever up a bit harder it comes free. I've looked at alignment, the primer feed, etc. I *think* it may be coming from station 2. It doesn't happen very often and it never seems to happen if I'm loading a single cartridge at a time. Any hints or suggestions? Thanks Tom

Took the puller outside and used the concrete patio; took two strikes and the bullet separated from the case. I'd been using a wood block and it was (apparently) making the impact a little too gentle. On the other hand, it was my bad entirely on the "won't chamber" part. The ejector was hanging up on the case rim. Once I let the slide close naturally, it worked fine. Color me embarrassed!

I just got some Zero 147gr FMJ in 9mm. I set one in an empty case to start adjusting the dies on my 550B. The resulting COAL is too long. It drops in the case gauge just fine, but will not chamber, so the dies need to go down. Got that part. Being the usual CB, I wanted to take it apart, adjust the dies and repeat until I get it where I want it. Simple, right? I put the empty cartridge with bullet seated in my kinetic puller. I've go at least 20 strikes and it doesn't seem to have moved. It doesn't want to come out. I know I can destroy the case and the bullet to get it apart. My concern is with actual firing: if it's so tight now, what happens when the power gets lit? Thanks, Tom

The NROI site is a bit confusing. I'd appreciate any clarification because I mistakenly (I think) thought that CRO was how you were qualified to be an RO!

My wife just started shooting. After a couple of range trips when we were talking about some of the difficulties she was having, it occurred to both of us that she's left-eye dominant and right-handed. Well, maybe. Almost 30 years ago, she had a hand injury to her right and spent 6 weeks in cast after surgery. A grad student at the time, she began to take notes with her left hand. She's about even in arm/hand strength. She switched to left-handed shooting. The difference has been phenomenal. Kind of makes me think she was supposed to be a lefty all along.

There are good and bad stories about the PT1911. If you look hard enough, you'll find the same about almost any other product. For those that are claiming the PT1911 is "trash" or "garbage", please remember that it may just be what one of your colleagues is using. I'm sure you wouldn't take kindly to someone say the same about your blaster.

Just back into shooting this last year. Half a dozen local USPSA matches and a lot of range time; I think I might have hit 2000 across my 9mm and 1911. I'm about to start reloading and expect to at least double 2011's volume.

Right-handed, right eye dominant, +2.5 diopter reading correction for me. Been shooting with progressive lenses and I really have to crank my head back to get the front sight in focus. I'm past the double image thing and have had limited success with letting the sights be fuzzy. Last week, I took my wife to an indoor range for her first -ever- firearms experience. 2 guns, 50 rounds each. She took an .38 S&W 642 with CT grips and I opted for an XDM 5.25 in 9mm. I think she may be hooked. That's another story. Still using my progressives, the fibre optic front sight on the XDM was like magic. My 24/7 is just as accurate as the XDM, but I was putting groups together like I never have before. Based on that, I just ordered FO sights for my Taurus. I'm still contemplating putting a reading strip on the left side of the right lens, but I'll see what happens with the FO sights first.

Thanks for the responses. I've been looking at other threads and finding putting the near up high. I may try that with Optx stick-ons before having lenses ground. Unlike most, I've been wearing readers for almost 40 years; it's only been in the last couple that my arms have gotten *really* short! Tom But what about us that can't focus on the front sight? My bifocals require that I tilt my head back to focus. The results have been worse that just letting it be fuzzy. Any suggestions for us 'old eyes' guys? tkheard...I also wear bifocals. I went to my optometrist and had glasses made where I could see distance from my left eye and a clear sight picture with my arms extended with my right eye. I believe they are called monovision glasses. I put them on when I get to the range. It takes a very short time to get used to. You will have a good sight picture without having to tilt your head back. I had the same type of glasses made two years ago. I wished I'd thought to have done it years ago!!! I highly recommend this type of eyeglass Rx for those of us that have old/bad eyes.

But what about us that can't focus on the front sight? My bifocals require that I tilt my head back to focus. The results have been worse that just letting it be fuzzy. Any suggestions for us 'old eyes' guys?

Morning all, Been lurking for a while down in Lower Alabama. I've enjoyed reading and look forward to continuing and contributing, as well as asking questions. New to practical shooting and back from a 40(!) year layoff. Shot Limited with my Taurus 9mm for the first time a few weeks ago. Actually didn't finish last and had a ball. Thinking seriously about going SS with my 45ACP 1911. That will require me to start reloading($$), but I've been thinking about it already.