Carlos

Bought some Trail Boss powder yesterday. Gone are the IMR tin cans of yesterday; as of 2005, all IMR will come in plastic jars just like the rest of the Hodgdon powders (hodgdon bought IMR). Cost 9 OZ: $12.99 at Bass Pro shops retail store in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Looks strange. will try it with lead bullets only & see what takes place. D.

"but I doubt 100% of dealers would be willing to use this method for transfer," Afraid I have to agree. Many "mom & pop" FFL holders will be reluctant to use new technology like the FAX machine transfer/EZ Check. I agree with you that the "in-signed copy of FFL" will be the rule in most shops for some time to come.

I had a gun transferred from a company to my local FFL last year & the company did not want an FFL sent nor faxed; -all they asked for was the number on the receiving FFL. They verified the number with BATFE & transferred to FFL on that basis. If ordering from a distributor, apparently the number can be used through an BATFE computer system. The faxed-FFL rule is good news from BATFE. Thanks.

Standles wrote: "They are giving 90 days to get in country what they can then its over. You can read the letter for more elaboration but the end is near for imported ak's etc. etc. " Here is the AK barrel/reciever import ban (still think Benelli interpreted it wrong; I also personally believe there is no longer an AWB that controls the mods to a tube-fed shotgun like Benelli). U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Director -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Washington, DC 20226 www.atf.gov July 13, 2005 OPEN LETTER TO FEDERALLY LICENSED FIREARMS IMPORTERS AND REGISTERED IMPORTERS OF U.S. MUNITIONS IMPORT LIST ARTICLES The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels. Importation of Frames, Receivers or Barrels of Firearms Under Title 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) Section 925(d) provides standards for the importation of firearms and ammunition into the United States. In particular, section 925(d)(3) provides that the Attorney General shall authorize a firearm to be imported if it meets several conditions: (1) it is not defined as a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA); (2) it is generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes; and (3) it is not a surplus military firearm. However, the subsection further provides that “in any case where the Attorney General has not authorized the importation of the firearm pursuant to this paragraph, it shall be unlawful to import any frame, receiver, or barrel of such firearm which would be prohibited if assembled.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has determined that the language of 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) permits no exceptions that would allow frames, receivers or barrels for otherwise non-importable firearms to be imported into the United States. Accordingly, ATF will no longer approve ATF Form 6 applications for importation of any frames, receivers, or barrels for firearms that would be prohibited from importation if assembled. No exceptions to the statutory language, for example for “repair or replacement” of existing firearms, will be allowed. ATF recognizes that importers have, in the past, obtained import permits authorizing the importation of barrels and receivers for non-importable firearms for "repair or replacement" and may have entered into contracts in reliance upon such authorizations. In order to mitigate the impact of ATF’s change in import policy and to allow importers a reasonable period to come into compliance, ATF will forgo enforcement of this import restriction for 60 calendar days and allow importers holding existing permits to continue to import barrels and receivers for a period of 60 calendar days. ATF believes this time period is adequate for importers who have entered into binding contracts for the sale and shipment of such barrels and receivers to complete the process of importing the items into the United States. ATF will advise Customs and Border Protection that in no event should these permits be accepted to release these items for entry into the United States after September 10, 2005. Importers are reminded that ATF previously approved permits for non-importable barrels and receivers for repair or replacement only, and this restriction was stamped on the face of the permit. Importers who import such components for any purpose other than repair or replacement of existing firearms, e.g., for assembly into new firearms, will be exceeding the scope of the import authorization in violation of law. If ATF determines, through inspection or otherwise, that an importer willfully violates the import provisions of the GCA, the importer's license is subject to revocation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 923(e). Importers holding approved import permits for non-importable barrels and receivers will receive a letter prior to September 10, 2005, advising them that their permit has been suspended. This determination affects importers as follows: IF YOU SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION TO IMPORT FRAMES, RECEIVERS AND BARRELS ON OR AFTER THE DATE OF THIS LETTER, AND THE PERMIT IS FOR NONSPORTING FIREARMS, SURPLUS MILITARY FIREARMS, OR NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS, ATF WILL DENY YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO IMPORT FRAMES, RECEIVERS AND BARRELS THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN DENIED OR APPROVED BY ATF AND THE PERMIT IS FOR NONSPORTING FIREARMS, SURPLUS MILITARY FIREARMS OR NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS, ATF WILL DENY YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU ALREADY HOLD AN APPROVED PERMIT TO IMPORT FRAMES, RECEIVERS AND BARRELS “FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT,” ATF WILL BE SENDING YOU A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT YOUR PERMIT WILL BE SUSPENDED AFTER SEPTEMBER 10, 2005, AND PROVIDING YOU WITH INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR RIGHT TO SUBMIT ARGUMENTS WHY YOUR PERMIT SHOULD NOT BE REVOKED. Maintaining open lines of communication is vital to the successful future of ATF’s partnership with the import community. The Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch staff is available to answer your questions about the issues addressed in this letter. You may reach us by phone at 202-927-8320 or by fax at 202-927-2697. Additional information regarding this issue will be provided on our Website at www.atf.gov. Sincerely yours, Lewis P Raden Assistant Director (Enforcement Programs and Services)

The author of the article above is a lot more optimistic about the versatility of "Trail Boss" (not to be confused with "TB" powder - or "True Blue" ). If the tech at IMR is to be believed, then the immediate use for trailboss would appear to be maybe those .45 ACP shooters using either lead 230s or coated/polymer/moly 230s. I just checked the latest IMR website data and NO autoloader calibers are listed; however, the .45ACP w/ heavy lead bullets would appear to most resemble the current IMR data. The podwer is really weird looking - sort of like miniature cheerios only more flat. Imagine the look of Hodgdon Clays with a much larger hole & 2 to 3x the outside diameter.

Have not heard that. However, the reloading company "Wideners" here in the US sells a brand of FMJ they call the "master match" which strongly resembles bulk Hornady FMJs. Anyone Know?

Found the lattest FFL newsletter: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/newsletter/0805fflnewsletter.pdf But the newsletter does not address the new barrel/receiver import ban. However, I do know of the import ban. My understanding is that there has been a new IMPORT ban of replacement barrels and receivers for "assault weapons" that are banned from IMPORT. The IMPORT ban on certain "assault rifles" has been in place since 1989 (yep - Reagan) Example: FN-FAL/L1A1, AK-47, etc. The new ban on imports of parts includes barrels and receivers. This was done last year. HOWEVER, importers quickly pointed out that they could still import these parts and sell them as "replacement parts". BATFE relented. Now BATFE have changed their mind. No more rifle barrels or receiver imports. I understand that. I don't see how that has anything to do with putting a mag extension (for an 8-round tube fed shotgun) or whatever configuration stock you want on a benelli. I am not doubting what Benelli told you, I am just wondering if Benelli is either confused or overly cautious without justification. Remember when you could look on gunbroker & find Benelli "Pre-ban" shotguns? I believe the law that created the "pre-ban" is now gone & its unclear to me why you could not put a pistol grip or mag extension on any 1100 or Benelli M series gun. Remember, I do not want to import the thing, I just want to buy an M series here and shoot USPSA with it.

As for capacity, why not just add a mag extension? The AWB is over and I can not find anything in CURRENT law that prevents it. Import - maybe, but I am not an importer nor am I importing the thing. I know about the old "banned features list" for all shotguns - US & imported - but that died last year. Anyone have a CURRENT (as in a post-9/13/04 dated) letter from BATFE on the matter? I do not believe that an 8 shot Benelli is the same thing as, or easily confused with, a street sweeper/D.D. Thanks, C.

Foolishly agreed to try out a friend's new snub-nosed .454 Casull last week - 3 rounds was enough! I am a large dude (6'2" & 180 lbs) so I was not in any danger of dropping the thing but what misearble gun to shoot!

BDH - this exact situation happened to me when I shot your stage earlier in the week. You handled it the same way & it was not only fair, but 100% within the rules. Well done! On a slightly different note, I do recall Amidon once explaining that if the bullet holes are all the same size, then the previous competitor's scoresheet may be used to determine hits; however, where the bullet holes were different diameter, there used to be arguments. How I wondered? Turns out if the previous competitor shot .45 and the holes were left unpasted, the following competitor would argue that one or more of his .38 Super bullets passed right through the larger .45 holes - and they would demand a re-shoot. Hey, anything is possible. D.

Doug wrote: "Intersting note: according to Hodgdons list of "comparisons", Clays is a faster burning powder than Bullseye. But the real comparison would be at the range and what works the best !!!!" The really fast powders are: N-310 (single base) straight Clays (double base) Bullseye " Titegroup " The fast powders have always been approriate for use in low-pressure .45 ACP at reasonable velocities (read: Major). I am a fan of both N-310 (costly though) and Clays (clean & cheap). As for Bullseye, it is definitly cleaner than black powder - but not by much. Nemo wrote: "Masterblasters recommends against it in their website for the black bullets." While I like the consistency & price of Titegroup, it is reported by Dwayne to have has the highest nitro content at 37%. I believe it burns hotter than comparable powders. It may burn away the black bullet coating more than other powders - particularly the cool burning single base powders. Regards, D.

Anyone know the story with the extremely low hits on the paper target in front of the chrono at last month's Production/Revolver Nationals (with Limited)??

If a Schuemann was your 1st choice, I believe KKM is a logical 2nd choice; the owner of KKM was once associated with Schuemann. I have been using a .40 bullbarrel KKM with a C/P ramp in an upper I built myself to make an old Open SV into a Limited SV; after 2 years of club competitions & the recent Nationals, the barrel is still very accurate; I follow Schuemann's barrel cleaning advice. On the other hand, Schuemann barrels are great; have you checked inventory with Brownells, Shooters Connection, Brazos, SV, or other companies that may have a C/P ramp .40 in stock? D.C. Johnson

If you used the search function, that is good enough for me. The link Shred provided is the correct link: http://www.texasknife.com Here is a link to the same site with raw Kydex & molding tools: http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TK...nframeStore.htm Regards, D.C. Johnson

Saw a lot of the "rack-flip-catch" stunt at the Nationals. Above photo is the argument why its a very bad idea & ought to be discouraged by NROI. Officially, though an announcement in FrontSite, that is. Feel free to disagree; from what I saw in Barry, many do. C.

Lent my chrono to some shooting buddies - once. Before they used it, I kept bugging them about how NOT to shoot my chrono & advice on how to use it properly (read: safe for the chrono). Of course it came back with a bullet hole through one of the skyscreen readers (still works though); it is a PACT MK IV & the bullet passed through the housing just over the "glass". They did not even notice hitting it; they could not get it to read correctly in the out door sun & kept aiming lower & lower until one round . . . I wrote them a simple message: "Dude, you shot my chrono!" To their credit, they insisted on replaceing the shot reader (now I have a spare for the day when I shoot my own chrono (everyone's day will come). C.

Its in the archives; search on terms "Texas Knifemakers" C.

"Doing the same thing, even bigger batches w/ the Dillon Case Lube... no problems, damn stuff is still greasy way after I finish running them thru the press Problem there is getting it *off* without having to hand wipe every single round... seems like I have to tumble an awful long time to get the stuff off completely; longer than I'd like w/ loaded ammo, so I've been hand wiping 'em. " -could be wrong but I beleive that Dillon spray on lube is nothing more than natural source lanolin and alcohol. It is effective and economical. Good product. To remove it from the cases, simply wait until the loading is finished and then tumble the loaded ammo for about 10 min. in fresh corn-cob media.

Factory ammo? I would not try to use factory ammo in a stock STI Edge - it is not designed for that. Most agree that a length around 1.200" in best; I take it that is what you meant by "2.0"". Also, if its an STI factory gun, to run properly these generally require a good going over by one of the current STI/SV gurus such as the good folks at Millennium custom, Brazos, Dawson, & a few others. You will also want to send the magazines to Bevin Grams for tuning as well.

XRE wrote: "- Swensons (don't care if you don't like 'em - when done right, I do" Agree. -STI or SV frame -NOT the SV slide & that PITA interchangeable breachface -contoured grip -Schuemann barrel -Tri-glide parts set to less than #2 -the "Scott Warren" style fixed sights and: a slide racker to get to the slide around those Swensons. D.C Johnson

If you go to your gun store, the CZ-75 they will show you will have a DA that will probably not impress you. HOWEVER, the trigger is easily modified with either 10 min. work or a $7 spring & will still set off all 4 major US brands of primer. Imagine trying a Glock with an 8 lb + NY trigger & concluding all glocks have terrible triggers. That would be a false conclusion. DA/SA CZs are military & police guns & are sent from the factory to set off all primers - no matter how hard they are. If you buy a 15 lb hammer spring from Wolf or cut 2 coils from the stock hammer spring, your 75 should have a lighter DA than the normal Glock (which is advertised as a stock 5 lbs but is actually heavier - just as the 3.5 connector is more than 3.5 lbs). With a little work by Matt or Angus, the CZ is capable of a trigger nearly as good as the Glock Vanek for the 1st shot & very much like a 1911 for every shot there after. D.C. Johnson

Tony - what power factor are you getting with that load? Also, what gun & make of barrel? Thanks, C.

Use a 180 grn bullet and 3.2 to 4.0 grns of Titegroup (depending on your revolver and the OAL you choose - adjust charge to meet PF. Alternatives: 180 and straight Clays 180 and N320. Adjust to meet 130 to 135 PF

"I have not started to reload for 40 s&w yet, but I am going to start." A key number to remember with the Standard IPSC is that the OAL (cartridge length) is limited by the magazines. The CZ's magazine is LONGER than a regular 75 or glock, but is shorter than a 1911/STI. Why does this matter? Many of the .40 loads for USPSA & IPSC you will find here on BE.com and Jeff Maass reloading site specify a length of 1.200". This length will not fit in a Standard IPSC. The max length for Standard IPSC is about 1.170" I have been able to load to that length (and no shorter please) and exceed Major with 4.6 to 4.8 grns of N-320 and Federal small pistol primers. You can also follow many book loads with Titegroup and load shorter than 1.170" while still exceeding Major. D.C. Johnson

It not your imagination; it smells like ammonia. I notice it more in .223 & 7.62x39mm but it is still present AFAIK. Despite that, its fine ammo in .45 ACP; I have not tested the remaining calibers. Congrats on the sponsorship - deals like this can only help out the entire sport.