CKing866

I get it. Simple enough concept, now that you've pointed it out. I just wasn't seeing the forest for the trees. Thanks.

I'm confused by the rules and illustration (included below and attached) regarding scoring no-shoots overlaying a scoring target and could use some help understanding. I assume each of the examples in the illustration show the bullet diameter touching the scoring line on the no-shoot and NOT extending outside of the scoring line. If that is the case, it took me a while to understand it, but that led to another question (if that's not the case, then I'm really confused.): If the shot extends outside of the scoring line on the no-shoot into the scoring area of the underlying target, then would example #6, for instance, be still be scored as "C, NS" or would it be scored as "A, NS" under 9.5.2? It would seem to me that 9.5.2.1 would not apply because part of the bullet diameter would have hit the scoring target. "9.5.2 If the bullet diameter of a hit on a scoring target touches the scoring line between two scoring areas, or the line between the non-scoring border and a scoring area, or if it crosses multiple scoring areas, it will be scored the higher value. 9.5.2.1 Additionally, Rule 9.5.2 is clarified to apply only to the visible portions of targets. It specifically does not apply to any area of any target which is in direct contact with and overlapped by the scoring area of another target (scoring and/or no-shoots) or by hard cover. See illustration in Notes section." Page 119 from 2021-USPSA-Competition-Rules-March-2021.pdf

johnbu: Thanks for the reply. Mainly wanted to get your thoughts on the 4.6 grn. load after switching to lighter recoil spring and whether you still liked the load. Sounds like you were satisfied with the result.

johnbu: I'm working on a minor load for my .40 XDM 5.25 using Power Pistol and 180 grain Blake Bullets. I've installed a 14# Wolff recoil spring. Would you mind sharing some follow-up observations on the loads you listed above? Thanks.

Hey Justin, I just signed up and look forward to a great match like you all usually put on. Do you have a list of match sponsors yet? I need to do some "shopping" and want to patronize our sponsors if I can.

Blankenhole: do you mind sharing your data for Power Pistol? My go to was for AA#2, but it's scarce as hens'-teeth but was able to grab some Power Pistol. You can PM me if you prefer.

Really great time. Thanks to all the staff. When are the 2015 applications due??

Wow! Did I come late to this party! I'm mailing my application in today and hope there's a slot left.

Thanks for the insight and suggestions. For the time being, I'm using a factory recoil spring, so it sounds like the Shock-Buffs aren't all that helpful AND I'll keep working on using the slide release (it is faster for me) but if anyone knows of a slide release that I can use to overcome this, I'd appreciate a heads-up.

Thanks for the insight and suggestions. Next time to the range, I'm going to try to compare the grip-force I use on each and see if there is a difference. The 4" has an aluminum frame vs. stainelss steel on the 5" so there is a 10 oz. difference in weight, but again, that seems counterintuitive. I do have to say that i "like" my sight picture with the tritium sights on the 4" more than the blade and post on the 5" but that preference is eroding as I shoot the 5" more. I'd hate to concede that my older eyes are the cause, but that could be an issue. I'll let you all know if I figure it out.

Not a bad question, as that may play into it. I'm 46 and starting to use cheaters to see up-close things clearly .

The triggers are about the same design and feel about the same to me ( I don't have a tool to measure pull weight). The sights on both are factory original: on the 4" are tritium as opposed to the 5" which sports a black blade and fairly wide front post. For group shooting, the blade and post seem to give more precise sight alignment, but the 4" gives better groups.

Ha Ha! That would work too!

I'm pretty new to the sport and started in single-stack, because that's what I had. Recently, when I thought I had a mechanical problem with my "match" pistol (Kimber Team Match II), I shot a few practice stages with my carry weapon (Kimber Tac Pro II) and found myself shooting noticeably better. Turns out I shoot better groups with the Tac Pro as well. This seems counterintuitive to me because the Tac Pro has a 4" barrel and the Team Match has a 5" barrel (accompanied by a longer sight radius). Both pistols are essentially stock. Both supposedly come with match-grade barrels from Kimber. I'm not necessarily complaining, but am trying to figure out why.

I recently tried a Wilson Shock-Buff in my Kimber Team Match II. Overall I like the effect it has, but it took me a couple of practice matches to realize it requires a change to my gun handling. It is my habit, ingrained from years of "tactical" training, to chamber a round by racking the slide (overhand), rather than using the slide release. I had a pretty good run going through a stage until I emptied a mazine to slide-lock. (I know one isn't supposed to do that, but face it, it happens - especially to us guys new to the sport). I had a smooth magazine change, but when tried to rack the slide, nothing happened. I tried a couple more times, tried a different magazine, but still nothing. Out of desperation, I thumbed the slide release and was back in business. - about 8 seconds later I must be hard headed, because I went through it all again the next week. I just couldn't figure out why my weapon was acting up all of a sudden. I asked another Kimber shooter if he had the same "problem" but he didn't know because he always used the slide release (Okay, I get it). Turns out his pistol did the same thing, but we couldn't figure out why. On my way home, thinking about this problem, I called him back and asked him if he used Shock-Buffs - he did. EUREKA! The Shock-Buff will not allow me to pull the slide far enough to the rear to disengage the slide lock - by hand at least. I may try thinning the Shock-Buff out a little to see if that corrects the situation, otherwise, I'll be a slide-release guy. Any other constructive suggestions are appreciated.

Ha! I never thought about that, but I see their point. You might have to buy your own chrono. I'm about to get one. People who are happy to let you shoot their guns seem to be reluctant to let you use their chronos. The saying around here is that there are two kinds of chronographs, those that have been shot and those that are gonna get shot. They don't want you shooting their chronos.

Great. Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the suggestions on bullet manufacturers. I'm checking them out. I've looked for Bear Creek, but can't find them for sale anywhere. It appears that Bear Creek may have gone out of business. Does any one know anything about that?

I'm watching this thread because I've just started reloading myself and I've gotten a lot of good information from the responses to dwpmusic's questions. I don't mean to hijack this thread, but here's a question of my own: What are generally safe tolerances on COL? For example, if load data calls for 1.190" COL, what are the consequences for rounds measuring a few thousandth's over or under? Also, in my example, the load data is for a .45 ACP/200grain LSWC/Accurate NO.2 powder, but I want to start loading for .40 cal. Do the tolerances vary depending on what you're loading?

Update: I just ran through my 1st 15 rounds of reloads using 230 grain Hornady RN with 4.7 grains of Accurate No. 2. Everything functioned and I'm frankly amazed at the consistency of the shots. Recoil is really light compared to factory ammo so I'm not sure it will make major, but it sure was fun. Next step: find someone with a chronograph I can borrow. Thanks again guys.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. It seems like the consensus is that I wouldn't be out of line using 230 grain round nose. For my initial run, I have Hornady 230 grain FMJ round nose ($$), but will probably try some of the 200/230 grain moly-coated round nose right after that. My 1st lb of powder is Accurate No.2 but will try some of the others you all have mentioned. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

I recently started shooting in USPSA (.45 Single Stack) primarily using Winchester "white-box" 230 grain full metal jacket roundnose. Rather quickly, I concluded that reloading will ease the financial pain of feeding my new habit. I picked up a used Dillion Square Deal and am in the process of setting it up to reload and deciding on an initial bullet/powder/primer combination. I've reviewed several reloading manuals which list dozens of load combinations, but am wondering what type and weight of bullets are considered best suited for my intended use. I'll be using the rounds in a Kimber Team Match II. Any suggestions would be appreciated.