Carlos

From what I can tell, this Hodgdon shotgun powder burns fast, on the order of N-310 or the old "Bullseye" powder. Both N310 and Bullseye are popular for pistol loading due to their soft recoil and, for N310, cleanliness & low SD. Titewad powder seems to have a flatened ball shape like Titgroup or 231 or HP38. Yet, there is no handgun data for this shotgun powder, unlike Hodgdon's other shotgun powders incl. all of the Clays line. Here is what Hodgdon's website (as of 10/30/03) had to say about Titewad: TITEWAD™ Through advanced technology, Hodgdon Powder Co. has produced a superior flattened spherical shotgun powder. Unlike spherical propellants in the past, TITEWAD features low charge weights, mild muzzle report, minimum recoil and reduced residue for optimum ballistic performance. This outstanding propellant designed for 12 gauge only, meters superbly and is ideal for 7/8, 1 and 1 1/8 ounce loads. As the name implies, "a little goes a long way!" Available in 14 oz., 4 lb. & 8 lb. containers. Does this stuff have any use in cal.s like .45, or possibly 9mm minor? Being a fan of fast, clean, powders (like N310), I'd like to know if there is a low cost US alternative we seem to be missing.

Tightloop wrote: "Straight Clays is also fast, but shoots pretty soft, fairly clean, cheap, and gives good results with little temp sensitivity. My choice." Mine too. Burned more than 9 lbs of the stuff in .45; all at major & mostly 200 TMJs though I also shot TMJ 185s for some time as well as trying out 230s & 152s. Very clean, very consistent; overall very good in .45 for our game. Don't even think about using it in .40 unless its a minor load though. C.

Flex: thanks for bringing this BTT. I frequently mount targets upside down (indoor match where space is limited). Upsidedown targets are also a "D" trap for many shooters & once the buzzer sounds, I never fail to fall into my own trap. Go figure.

I seem to recall a similar discussion w/ citations to the newest laws in CA such that if you are an out-of-state resident, there is an exemption to temporarily bring in what CA considers an "assault weapon" or a handgun that would otherwise be "not CA approved" for the specific purpose of entering a competition. There was NO such exemption for any magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Looks like you may have to shoot Open-10 or equivalent.

Another vote for I-Shot; great bag thoughtfully designed for shooters by shooters and if you should ever need warranty support, I-Shot is every bit as dependable as Dillon; i.e., they stand behind their product 100%.

Jeffro: and one of the 1st lessons in law school was "justice delayed is justice denied". You have inspired me to take on my bank & their anti-CCW window decal (Wachovia bank in Arlington, VA). Keep up the good fight.

Total crap. They will turn your reliable Glock into a jam-o-matic. Consider KKM instead.

Jeffro wrote: "Pay my TAXES to a "gun-friendly" state. How do ya' like them apples??????" I like 'em quite a bit! Now THAT'S using your noodle, Jeffro! No need to flee (completely); better to stay & fight. The MAJORITY of states are "shall issue". The USA has not reverted to "the wild wild west" & in fact, crime has gone down in the wake of the shall-issue revolution. While this looks to be a temporary defeat in MO, hopefully logic & common-sense gun laws (like nationwide CCW) will prevail if we all do our part. As for me? Besides e-mails to both senators in support of the junk lawsuit ban, I just arranged to take a few newbies to the range & also volunteered as an RO for the 1st time at the sectional. Keep up the good fight!

Zak - great advice from Kevin! Dillon's measure WILL throw a heavier charge if you interrupt the rythm of loading your 650. What do I mean by interupt? Think about the time between powder drops when you are loading fast - how long is that? Maybe 4, to 5 seconds? Now, imagine you take a charged case out & weigh it - how long does that take? Maybe 30 to 45 seconds? Longer? I have found the Dillon measure will throw a heavier charge (by .1 to .3 grns) just by stopping for as little as 30 seconds. Add in the vibrations of the loading cycle & the case feeder and your anomoly is explained. Try to be consistent in time w/ each & every pull of the handle. Try not to constantly stop the reloading cycle & if you do, throw an extra charge by hand & dump it back in the hopper before you begin again. As for the flaring snag, as suggested, reduce the amount of flare a minimum and try the following: chuck the Dillon flare in a hand drill, press, or lathe (do not mar the surface of the flare w/ the chuck!) While spinning it, hold a cleaning patch or two saturated with Flitz metal polish on the flaring end. Polish it to a mirror finish. Dillon does a decent job of this at their factory but you may be able to improve the polish & smooth things up a little. Regards, TY44934 EDIT: Zach (aka "Zak") sorry about that - also did not realize you have 550 & not 650 but the same ideas apply.

Plated??!? You mean like the Speer Gold Dot Hollowpoint? Its electroplated. Or the Speer TMJ? as used in their Lawman ammo? Its electroplated. Speer/CCI is scared to death of anyone associating their premium defense bullet w/ the word "electroplated" becuse too many stupid shooters would be turned off by rumors that all electroplated bullets are bad. Speer goes to great lengths to call these "Unicore Bonding Process" (plated) or Total Metal Jacket" (plated). Any complaints about Gold Dots? I have never heard any - this proves that electroplated bullets CAN give excellent results. You can't call all electroplated bullets "crap" unless you want to claim that Gold Dot bullets are crap. Are plated reloading bullets a good alternative for you? That depends. I tested high for lead in my blood recently & I will be shooting mostly indoors for the winter months - i.e., the increased lead smoke/lead exposure of plain lead bullets is not a good option for me. Plated bullets don't smoke b/c no lead is exposed & there is no lead to clean out of the barrel (in fact, I never clean the barrel at all). Schoonie wrote: "The one complaint I have about plated bullets is that they are very soft (Raniers). The SWC type would get hung up at the transition between frame and barrel (I do not have a ramped barrel)." Fair enough. Most Plated bullets are 1st made as swaged lead bullets. Swaging is generally done w/ only pure lead wire - which is very soft. The plating is often thin enough that the bullet can deform upon feeding - I had problems w/ the fragile nose of plated 200 grn SWCs deforming in a ramped barrel STI Edge & contributing to FTFs. A friend uses Berry's 185 Rns in .45 & has never had a feed problem. Something to consider. I have tried batches of plated bullets that were problematic. I have tried other lots that were outstanding & very inexpensive. If you have the option of buying just 500 to try them out, I would recommend plated bullets. If you can buy Zero or Montana JHPs (no lead exposed at the base) for the same cost as plated, I can tell you those two brands certainly work.

You are welcome! See you at next year's 3gun Nationals (and if you beat me then I'll really feel like a dope!). Regards, TY44934

Erik wrote: "I tried all different types of ammo and couldn't get the problem to go away" So much for my theory. I have not played around w/ different types of ammo much in the CZ75 I have been shooting in local matches (Tino's, BJ's & our Shooters Paradise match). Just 147s at 1.160". The gun I am using was loaned to me by a friend & I like it so much that I went a little CZ-crazy buying a .45 ACP CZ-97, a CZ40 (the one that CZ built for Colt w. the 1911 grip angle - at $250 I could not pass it up), a .40 cal baby desert eagle - a rare one that has the safety where God & John Browning intended it to be - on the FRAME! and finally a really old copy of the early CZ-75 called an AT84S & made in Solothurn, Switzerland- apparently to get around the difficulty of importing CZs from a then-communist country. It was sold by action arms way back when. So far, so good though I nearly got "blowed up" by trying to use some long .45ACP reloads in the 97; turns out that Montana Gold 200 grn flat points (JSPs) loaded to 1.250 will jam right into the rifleing of a CZ97 and luckily prevent the gun from going into battery while locking it up solid. Funny, these loads worked fine in my old STI Edge & SW 625 (seems I have more guns than sense). I also monitor the CZ forum.com and the CZ group on pistolsmith.com; if a fix is suggested I'll try to post it here.

Err, Rhino - did I say they work? I meant to say that you are right & no one wants them & I'll take them off your hands, no charge & I'll even pick up shipping (haha). Seriously, I just measured the lenth of the mags v. the gun & realised I had to take several thous. off the top of the basepad (few strokes on sandpaper) to get Sigma mags to sit EXACTLY as high as the factory Steyr mags (measure from top of metal frame insert to top of mag feed lip). The shaved basepads now serve as a mag stop. Then, I removed the mag catch from the Steyr. I cheated and used a machinists awl to mark scribe lines on the Sigma mags outlining the mag catch. I then used a benchtop mill & a Ti coated HSS endmill at high RPM to cut the slot. They work 100% & still function in the Sigma. I did 3 .40s & I also found a 9mm that I will get around to slotting this weekend. Takes some time but its worth it.

Mark! What were you thinking!?! Have to agree w/ Handgunner about Sigmas sucking (I won't limit my comment to just the trigger). My older brother bought an early .40 Smegma because he liked my Glock - and a Glock it is NOT! BUT, since you own it & I know you can shoot anything out there better than most folks (me included) AND I know you are on a budget, you might start w/: Stock number 30085 Reduced Power Striker Spring, (1) $3.49 + shipping from W.C. Wolff Co. Toll free (800) 545 0077. I have looked at my brother's gun enough to know its nothing like a Glock as far as the lower is concerned but once you figure out the mechanism, some cautious polishing w/ Flitz & a FLAT surface ("put DOWN the dremmel and step away from the gun!") should help things out. The reduce power Wolff striker spring in my Glock still sets off everything I feed it including CCI primers (Blazer 9mm). FLEX: Tom shoots a Steyr M9 in production; & the M9 is a far, far better gun than S&W's cheep glock knock off (anyone get the idea I don't like Sigmas? Love S&W revolvers though). Tom outfitted his steyr w/ Heini slant pros & a trigger job, then he beat up the rest of the Production field w/ a $300 gun that everyone thinks is no longer made (wrong- they are back in business w/ full parts & warranty support). By strange coincidence, the Sigma high-capacity magazines just happen to fit the Steyr M9 & M40 (.40 cal) w/ just an additional mag catch slot & they even hold more than the LEO Steyr mags! (15 v. 12 in .40 and 17 v. 15 in 9mm). Guese Sigmas are not completely useless. Mark - shouldn't you be in the law library?

Yep - I covered it - search on my posts. Federal is doing it too. 2 variations: .45 w/ large flash holes (reload just fine) & .45 w/ primer pockets FOR SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS (the NT headstamp cases). Final kick in the nuts is its slightly crimped. Tried email to Federal- it was a waste of time. This stuff sucks!

No idea, though apparently Dillon spray lube contains Lanolin which is a natural lube found on lambs wool. Could that be the culprit?

3 matches & about 1000 rounds - so far so good w/ a borrowed CZ-75B. Not a single hang up as described. Factory hi-caps. Might be my ammo. I am using 147 grn Star FMJs & Zero JHPs loaded to 1.155 to 1.160 (loaded long for a 9mm on account of my use of a powder which Vihta Vouri does not approve of). I do not doubt this problem exists however. Erik is an accomplished Production shooter & has been know to win local matches using a production gun - as in beating the entire Open and Limited divisions for the overall win using a production gun. If he says it happens, then it happens. However, I believe he shoots exclusively factory 115 grn ammo. Ammo could be part of the problem. Erik?

Not sure if this will help / apples to oranges, but w/ my gas gun (Super X2) Clays proved about 70% reliable while a switch to Universal Clays @ same velocity moved reliability to 100%. Looks like my gas gun runs better on a slightly slower powder.

If its for 3 gun, then I have to agree w/ Bear1142: Erik is an authority on 3 gun & he can tell you weight is everything in that game. A heavy gun (AKA a milled AK) will be harder to stop on each target. As for perceived recoil, it does not matter unless it lowers final point total/hit factor. Besides, a good Limited Division brake should keep recoil in check - I would not use receiver weight to conteract recoil. Unless someone can show us evidence that a milled receiver produces an inherently more accurate AK or that it will lower splits/ improve hit factor, then Bear1142's advice is sound. Erik: you had an AR built in 221 Ghengis/5.45x39mm. How did that work for 3gun? I noticed it for sale some time back if thats an indication. If that round works, then what about the AK-74 vs. the AK-47? Since 5.45mm seems to be a factory-loaded round only game (for practical/cost purposes) what did you think of the round? Would it meet minor out of the 16" tubes common to AKs? Regards, C.

lliden - I started out EXACTLY like you - using a 45 Edge & lead 200 SWCs over 231. Shot the Westcoasts & had the same occasional "ramp stall" though the preferred lemgth for the plated SWCs seemed to be 1.240" OAL. A gunsmith friend believes the ramp stall is caused by the soft pure lead in the core & thin copper jacket of the westcoasts (WCs) deforming upon hitting the chamber & taking the forward momentum out of the slide. Next time it happens, take a look at the nose & look for a really large dent. I switched to the 200 RNs at 1.260 & they work - NO one can argue w/ a round nose loaded to 1.260 - its just some batches from CW shoot better than others. You might also look at the 185 Hollow base plated round nose; a better powder would be straight Clays but you would be well served to use a Lee "U" die w' this powder to prevent any possibility of bullet set-back, lube w/ One shot & approach w/ caution. You will note that Hodgdon loes not list a Major load for Clays & 200s. Regards

Last check of uspsa.com members area at 5:20 EST revealed Phil Strader appears to be in the lead for 1st place at the National Championship.

Amen! I work less than 2 miles from the Pentagon & yet at the post office near here during lunch, I watched a teenager filling out form and overheard him ask: "um, what day is it again?" The man he asked had to think about it for a second and then he replied: "I think its the 11th?" I doubt the significance of this day meant anything to either of them & yet it was their own home which was attacked. Can we expect more from the average person outside D.C. or NYC? Sadly, I doubt it. Apathy will be our downfall.

Thanks Duane! Again, Duane has gone to the manufacturer, identified his source by name, & provided the results of his query. If one were in doubt, one could easily verify Duane's research. The difference between verifiable results and "somebody told me" or "I heard" is the difference between reliable evidence & hearsay. Good work! Now, another powder interchangeability question: can anyone verify if the new formulation of Unique is also sold by Hodgdon under another name? I do not know the answer & have not been able to get a straight answer from public sources. As for the old Unique, I avoid the dirty old stuff like the plague (except for that old partial pound I got for free) but I know it is one of the most used powders in the US because it has been around forever (sorta like an antique; funny coincidence the words rhyme).

Could not agree more; Erik sent me his top-fuel, ultra-high speed CZ SA trigger that will soon be installed on my L-10 secret weapon (hint: its a .45ACP, not a .40). Super fast service & all-around super guy to deal with!! Thanks Erik! Regards, D.

JB- thanks for de-bunking this one. Other places on the net- like Glocktalk.com - seem to eat up rumor w/o regard to evidence or even claimed personal experience. On the up -side, Wal Mart sells a limited selection of guns at excellent prices & while the sales staff is usually not familiar w/ firearms or ammunition, you can save many $$ if you know what you are buying. The plain-jane Rem 870s that occasionally go on sale for around $235 are one example. Downside is that Walmart is not designed to efficiently handle special orders for firearms. I foolishly tried to order a Remington 700 VS in .308 through the Hunt Valley store in MD a few years back. Took weeks for the manager to answer the note I left for her & I never bothered to call her back at that point. Walmart is good at what it does & I do not begrudge them for not catering to my every retail whim. Would be nice if they could manage to keep the Winchester Value Pack 9mm on the shelf though. Shred wrote: "(as an aside, when I was in the retail computer-manufacturing business, we used to make different plastic case pieces for each major electronics retailer-- that way they'd each get a slightly different "model" and customers couldn't make them price-match sale prices, even though the guts were exactly the same. I'm positive this is still being done in the consumer electronics business, at a minimum)" Ever try to comparison shop a mattress? They pull the same stunts w/ a zillion different names for essentially the same mattress. Any retail product that can regularly be sold for 50% off was overpriced to begin with.