hopalong

Bob, How you doing up there? Yes, it counts as Rudi wasn't there last year. Keep warm. HOPALONG

Miike, Thanks for the kind words. unfortunately the 3k was about 1/4 total rounds shot this last year, hopefully I can do better this year. RevChuck, unfortunately testing is just like practice.............it takes time and patience(good idea to make a log book too). HOPALONG

Thought I would add my .02 cents worth............. Since the combination is Limited/Production/REAL gun I have to go with the 25-2. Having said that............ I will be bringing along in tow a few of my auto shooting partners in crime and will likely forsake you cats on the wheelgun squad this time........Ya'll won't miss me too much and I can get all the reshoots I need then. Don't forget my challenge of earlier about causing at least one more wheelgunner to attend........I claim Bwana and have pretty much talked our all gun GM into it too(I think). Cliff, since Young Carmoney most likely won't be able to attend you can just bring Luke and Dave........Yeah it takes two to fill Sam's shoes when it comes to picking up chicks. See you cats there, hope we can bust 50 (I think we can if we all get off our cans and stir up some of the fence sitters). HOP

Hah!!! Just what I was expecting!!! So all last year when I found some I bought them. Now have 60k and another 10k already loaded ready to go. Like Steph said, if 150s can't be had/found and 155s are avialable. Use them, although they are usually 2/3 bucks a 5k higher. I was talking to a gentleman that had worked for CCi making primers.... He told me the difference between match and std primers is only consitancy in testing.(match burned the same rate and heat on average vs. std primers). Good shooting, Hopalong

RevChuck, Glad you enjoyed the Gator.........just too bad you had to put up with the Left Coasties. Your residue trouble is most likely from the powder you use. It could be unburnt, too hot causing the bullet to "melt" on the end and leaving residue ect. Just keep testing.......Most use Hodgeden "Clays" (Me too) but Jerry still uses "Bullseye" when he reloads his own so even though it is just a little dirtier than Clays it is worth looking into. D. Carden tells me he used Vitivouri 310 in his match loads.......If it is anything like 320 it is extremely clean, but also pretty darn costly too. Now how much do I shoot before trusting a new load? I shoot at least 3 local club matches with them and use them to practice with between the last club match and the Major match. And........I try not to clean the gun until the Early week of the major match (Tuesday evening usually) just to see how dirty the new load gets, and to see if it causes gun troubles. In other words........at least 500 in club matches, plus the practice rounds. In my opinion, you do not want to go to any other than maybe a club match and ever have to wonder about your equipment and ammo............ever! Hopalong

Hog Sniper, I have used the Precision "Black" bullets in the past. They were accurate enough and cheaper than Jacketed and Plated bullets but I still had what I would describe as "Leading" although not as much as Hard lead bullets. I used them in match situations only and use lead as my practice loads with good enough results. I quit because of the "leading" thing, I figure if I'm going to get it I might as well shoot lead as I still have to clean the ole wheel. Having said all that............for cleanliness and minimum smoke I use Jacketed Precision Delta 230 RN plus they are the most accurate bullets I have tested in my wheels on average, (2-625s and 1 25-2) Plus They (P.D.) have really given back to the game since they have gotten into making bullets with our game in mind.(Like Montana Gold did/does). Doesn't hurt to give them a try, Carmoney likes them but it took me two years to make him quit shooting lead in major matches.........He's just a little hard headed. My recomendation......buy enough Precision Deltas to make your major matches and use lead the rest of the time to save $$$$$......you just have to clean the wheel more often, but then you can keep track of wear and tear of the wheel better that way too. Good Luck, Good shooting!! HOPALONG

Bueno !!!!!! Hop

Tom, Nationals is like Area matches.........You have to win your class, with the next higer class percentage(If enough GMs are there) You can get your Section Coordinator and Club Pres to agree and send USPSA a letter and they usually will gladly take you up on your offer. Good luck, My take..........just keep shooting, who cares what class you are in. HOP

Way back when I started all this shooting stuff (2001 with a Para Ltd gun) I too had questions similar to these and what I got for feed back and eventually what I settled with. Tumbler..........Dillon small blue. Dillon Xl650, with Auto case feeder, and Roller handle for minimum accessories. (Yes it is worth it, as I have come to really appreciate the 800+ rounds an hour, could do more but that would get into work) I use the same brand brass for Major matches, mixed stuff for all else. You do not need to lube straight wall case brass, but it helps with speed and effort. I use Hornady One-shot. Most of the time I use Corn media (small pet bedding as mentioned earlier) with dillion polish........(all this dillion stuff you can get from Brian ) Clean/polish with the primers in.........I only clean my Match Rifle Primer pockets(NRA Hi-Power) During the winter lull in shooting I try to reload all I have on hand.........until I run out of components If and when I hit a match with mud/wet I have walnut media just for that too. .45 is a low pressure load compared to .40 and .38super so small cracks are allowable down to maybe about 1/4 inch from the top (similar to Carmoney).......I personally am not going to take that chance as I have access to as much .45 once fired as I want..........(and No I can't share sorry) Clean Moonclips as needed, usually just drop them into the tumbler also. Now for your moonclip question. Hearthco vs. others............ There are several discussions on this in other threads, but it is worth repeating. For every day use I use a mangerie of moons from Ranch, Midway, Brownells ect.......they all work good. For Major matches I exclusively use Hearthco moons, they take the little excess play out and allow more consistant reloads on a reliable basis for me (remember what works for me may not work for you, but it is worth checking into). Back a couple of summers ago I did some testing, on a average of 10 reloads I could average .25 seconds faster with Hearthco's vs. the others.......(side note, I could hit single reloads the same with both) So.......worth it? Just depends on your attitude towards shooting. Good luck, Good shooting. Hopalong

Back last summer when I was actually shooting and practicing (2005) I typically ran ours around 3.00 with a fast run breaking into the 2's but most were in the mid to low 3's. revolver, 10-15 yds, from the draw. HOPALONG

Nor will I be there to defend the Revolver Title.......... I'll be at Ft. Benning too! (more fun with 3 guns ) Hopalong

Glenn, Contact Clark Custom in Shreveport.........(You can go through RENEET on these forums) Jim does all kinds of work........including wheelguns. I think Renee has Clark Custom in the business directory here too? FWIW, instead of fluting it just sell it to me, It will save you a bunch of trouble ! HOP And Dan, Please don't be giving Carmoney anything to get the big head about !!!!

Around here the hot ticket for SSR speedloaders and holders is Comp IIIs (using Bubbers Modifications) and Speedloader holders from www.pistolpacking.com. I have yet to try the set up, but have talked to several IDPA SSR masters and they all but 1 were using that set up. And it looks like the way I would do it too..... But what do I know? I'm just a dummy that shoots. Oh yeah, I do use a Blade-tec holster for K/L frames with FBI can't for those size guns(OK, but I would like to try others to see if there is a better option) HOP

Yep !!!! Just as soon as my average was figured at 715 fps (needed 717) I thought to myself............." Man Ronnies gonna let me have it now" See you in a few weeks, and Yes I'll add a few tenths of a grain before then. HOP

Ronnie, I did not go Minor.......................................... It was the UNCALIBRATED Chronograph!!!!!!!! That's my story, and I'M sticking to it! BTW, If you Averaged my Rifle, and Pistol it was WAY MAJOR !!!!! HOP

R.S. For finger position on the Port arms, low ready type starts. (for me) Safety on, rifle in starting position. Finger is on the stock just above the trigger. At the buzzer shoulder the rifle while finding sights, once sights are found and are where you want to shoot it is no problem to knock it off safe and fire and get the 2 Alpha we all know we are supposed to shoot. And the safety on my Scout squad was pretty hard, squirt you some Remoil down in it so it slides a little easier......it will get better in time( mine did on all my M1 and M1As). Hope that helps. Hop

Rodney, The trigger on his gun is most likely a .500 wide "Target" trigger. That was a factory option/way it came type of thing. Todays revolvers usually have a .325 wide thing...........I personally preferr the .400 it can be had from Smith & Wesson, or maybe some of the shade tree type guys who like the thinner triggers. (I'm one of these but I don't really like the thinner triggers) And No it is not in your head, that is a law of physics..........(or something like that) basicly it is like this............6 pounds of force applied to a larger area will do more work, than if applied to a small area. (If my memory serves me correctly........6th grade science was a long time ago) Good shooting, have fun, be safe. Hopalong

Benelli2 had a few comments that got me to thinking. How much interest in a Rifle only match to be held in the SouthEast (TN, MS, AR, Al) Don't really know who's rules, that would be hashed out later, just looking at interest....... SAM

Finally get a chance to punch on the "puter"..... Match was great!!! Stages were a challenge, Range officers were top notch. Could not ask for anything better for a 3-gun tournament. ................except a maybe calibrated Chronograph!!! Mark, Woogie, and all the Staff, I know what you guys and gals have to do to put on a great match like that. My COMPLEMENTS !!!!! And those of you who missed out..................NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER!!!! (A little birdie told me that) Great seeing old friends, and making new ones. Sam

I nominate Johnny Brister............ After all, besides being a good ole Southern boy, He IS the first EVER all gun GM !!!!!!! I think that might rate a Front Sight cover don't you folks? Oh yeah, I forgot.....You guys/gals don't listen to the Hilljack. SAM

Mark, How many did you end up with that signed up for Heavy man??? SAM

Well.............................. got back from the Memphis 3-gun Tune up match about 2 hrs ago............... Rifle did not let me down........Hit everything I aimed at.........Brown targets, white targets, the berm.......YOU know. 870 Superauto needs the gas ports drilled out just a little bigger, It just doesn't want to cyle like the 11-87! Kimber.45 was in cahoots with the rifle. and someone kept unloading the mags.........I thought All autos had 18+ round magazines like my Limited gun!!! Oh well, I have 5 days to deliberate on it. See ya there. SAM Edit for spelling

The all gun GM just came in second at the La Gator Classic behind one Mr. Miculek........and ahead of all the M's ..................... NO he is not a fluke, and yes he can shoot all of them quite well. (oh yeah, he's been shooting a revolver less than a year too) SAM

I tried to warn you guys about Johnny.......... You just don't listen to the Hilljack!!! Now maybe you guys will pay a little more attention to the next class. Hope all had fun. Hilljack

Who Hoo !!!!! There is a fifth Sunday this month........................ 3-gun match in Memphis on the 5th Sundays!!!!!! So I will know just how bad I really am...............Before the A-6 match! But a little tune-up never hurt anything either. See ya'll next week...........Rich, Sorry about your guys.......Oregon just barely held on. SAM