kalaikanui

I bought the pistol on Gunbroker.com and the ammo I'm using is Super Vel Competition 147 gr.

I ran my new S2 OR this weekend and had some similar issues on the first two stages (very cold, 11# recoil spring) and was loading my new Henning extensions to 23 at first. By the third stage I had started downloading one round (to 22) and didn't see the problem any more. My .02 is mag spring tension was too tight on new mags, as the gun seemed to run fine otherwise.

After reading this thread, I was curious about 147's, so I measured mine before trying them... all where loaded to standard length. I bought a new S2 OR last week and all the goodies... Mounted a Holosun 507, did the grip change, spring change, lube and set out to run it in the weekend match. Arrived early to zero the dot and to my amazement the Holosun was zero'd out of the box - fired three shots freehand from 15 yds to check - all "A" hits inside 2". Proceeded on with the match and was very pleased with the new popper! Absolutely no issues with 147's and the gun felt surprising good right outta the box (I've been running STI's for a couple years - so I anticipated some issues to adapt). Really looking forward to this next season in CO.

Situation normal in Vegas area++ here. Multigun matches require gloves

Again, thanks to all for the input... interesting how this thread turned into an "OCD on FCD" Have one arriving today from Amazon ($16.99)... Will try it and see what happens

Reading about a Redding Competition Seating die as it doesn't perform a crimp function, only seats the bullet, then maybe I'll have even greater appreciation for this Lee FCD.

(under the "no question is stupid" umbrella) I want to make sure I understand; the Lee FCD would go into position 5 on a 650 correct? If so, do i need a better seating die in P4?

Thanks to all for the prompt replies.. Much appreciated. To answer all questions; the bullets I’m using are Berry’s 147 flat points that have a .356 diameter, the brass is sizing correctly – not an issue of the die and shell plate relationship. To “racerba’s” point, I did try to increase the flare before seating, but to no effect. I’m jumping on “iflyskyhigh’s” suggestion to get a Lee die right now as general set in the right direction and hopes that this fixes the issue.

No particular head stamp (range brass) and they are too snug in the barrel (I usually don't even try the barrel if they won't go in the gage).

Thanks, but I guess I need to be more specific... When I said "they won't plunk" I meant - they won't case gauge (I've already performed the barrel plunk exercise and verified desired OAL). I don't think this is an issue with sizing the brass, all the brass comes out of that step and fits a case gauge. The bulge is happening in the seating step - my best guess.

Searched here and found no clues… Having a problem with loading 147’s; all 10 of my test specimens resulted in the cases being bulged at the bottom (kinda like a “Glock bulge”) and they won’t gage. Never experienced this while loading 124’s… Using a Dillon 650 with standard dies, I checked each piece of brass out of the de-cap/sizing step and all gage easily. Prime each and check powder drop… all good – reasonable bell at case mouth. Get to the seating… don’t see any issues and crimp comes out at .378. Mic out my OAL and its 1.15" as desired, but doh! They won’t plunck! I’m confident one of you will point me to a solution….

+1 Very well written XDoc!

YIPES Does that come with a lifetime supply of band aides? Do you sleep on a bed of nails?

The wide range of discussion in these forums on this subject spans from the "run what you've got" on one end of the spectrum, to the "sky is the limit" or "whatever shiny popper makes you happy" on the other. The existence of these forums are testimony to the fact that there is no single answer or solution to any of the variables in our sport. I think we'll all agree that if you set personal [shooting sports] goals for yourself, you'd be wise to choose the equipment that best allows you to achieve them in the most efficient way possible. You can drive a nail with a crescent wrench... But there are many alternatives, influenced by how good at it you intend to be...

Hi all, I’ve searched here and the WWW to no avail; looking for Minor load recipes for 9mm Berry’s 124 gr. Target Hollow Points to run in my DVC-L. Finding nothing, I’m having to do the homework myself and want a peer review. Built a couple dummy rounds to plunk and kinda settled on an an OAL in the 1.155 – 1.160 range (allowing for re-using mixed range brass). Based on similarity to entries in the Hodgdon and Vitavorhi guides, looks like load work ups of 3.6, 3.8, 4.0 gr. of Ramshot Competition (that's what is currently in the hopper - similar to N320) should be a reasonable start to chrono…. Any thoughts, or relevant recipes?

An important part of becoming involved in this sport is reading and understanding the rules... Doing so will help you to plan ahead, make informed decisions and it won't cost you a dime.

The RIA the OP is talking about is a double stack 1911; wide body Para frame, similar to an STI 2011... I'd say go for it; have Hayes do the full monty. The "Race Ready" package with the slide cuts is where you'll feel the difference. Or just pick up the one I have currently listed in the Classified here.

^^^What Zombywoof said.... Just come out, make friends and have fun; everybody isn't a master shooter. Focus on making each match your personal best, in time you will acquire knowledge and talent.

I generally follow the "lifestyle" advise - maintain a routine... Especially before majors, I've resisted the "we're outta town, let's rip it up" business... I know its a lot of fun - a night out with the boys, but too much money spent to get to a big match then blow it by being trashed (or DQ'd ).

Tough question to answer... will provoke subjective answers, in the end it will come down to your personal preference and how you like your equipment to feel. Magwells typically aren't that expensive; perhaps get an alternative and try it out in practice. There's a pretty active after market here for whichever becomes excess.

When all the talk of CO first started... I thought Oh ya, I'm in - bought an M&P CORE. Yay! but the rules say no comp'd barrels, so in went the APEX barrel, put a Vortex Viper on an was ready to rip, then the rules shifted to allowing mag extensions, so I got those. After all that and shooting 6-8 matches I just couldn't learn to love it; the trigger sucked and I was much faster with my limited guns. Flip-flopped back and forth about dumping it and thought "I shouda just bought a 2011 open gun", well I've concluded if I'm in for a penny, I'm in for the pound bought a new APEX forward sear flat trigger for it this week and if that doesn't make me a fan, well I'll keep it until I can't see the irons on my limited racers anymore; blow the dust off and shoot for fun.

I have a new (never fired) TAC Ultra with the HCG package if anybody has the urge... PM me.

I'm an active participant in USSL since moving to the Vegas area last year. I like the United Pistol League (UPL) shooting format for two reasons: 1) UPL provides no advantage for major loads - so 9 minor is competitive in Limited and 2) USSL/UPL does not use classifier stages to achieve shooter qualifications as USPSA does. UPL quals are based on how a shooter finishes in the overall match; qualification is based on an average of most recent match scores. The USPSA classifier system certainly measures skill, but isn't necessarily representative of how well a shooter plans, moves and shoots stage by stage. Maybe I try to hard at USPSA classifiers driven by the intent of moving up and that usually results in a mediocre stage and damages my overall match score. Unlike some of the more highly ranked guys I've squaded with... I don't set up and practice specific qualifiers; I show up to matches and shoot'um as the stage description requires - just like any other stage. So for me, UPL doesn't give me "classifier anxiety".

Lots of mags with extended base pads to fit the magwell you choose...

Never handled or shot any of the poppers you've mentioned, but wonder what makes them better than a STI Edge or DVC-L? The fit and finish on my DVC seems pretty high quality; so from you experience what sets these other apart?