joshxdm9

I started steel challange 3 years ago with a service xd9. Midway through the season bought the xdm 5.25 9mm.shot factory ammo the first year the started reloading. Second year tried a glock 34 but for me the xdm just felt better to me. Been shooting it ever since for steel and 3gun. Probably somewhere around 10k rounds down the barrel never have had an issue.

I ran a 14lb for a bit with a very light 124gr bayou bullet that doesn't even make minor. Felt like it was slamming pretty hard so changed to a wolf 16lb and was much smoother. Have ran like that for the last 2 years no issues at all

That's encouraging. . I wish I loaded 308 I would go that route. Some day but not right now. Who did you have thread your barrel? I would like to have that done for either a break or suppressor.A local gunsmith. Any gunsmith that does rifles should be able to do it with a lathe.Loading 308 is easy, just a bigger 223. And buying 308 precision ammo should not break the bank either, to get started shooting. The other thing about the 700 SPS is, when you are ready to go to one of the exotic callers, the 700 short action with the 308 bolt will do a lot of them that are based off the 308 case. just change out the barrel with a new chamber when you are ready... jj What loader are you using? I just bought a single stage for the bolt gun ammo, cheap and easy. I load 308 and 223 on a 1050 for 3gunnin. I load my .223 on a dillon rl450 And have a rl550 with 2 separate complete tool heads for 9mm and .40 just feel like I have enough irons in the fire keeping up with powder primers and bullets for other shooting sports to add another one right now.

That's encouraging. . I wish I loaded 308 I would go that route. Some day but not right now. Who did you have thread your barrel? I would like to have that done for either a break or suppressor.

I appreciate all the advice. I think I am leaning toward the Remington 700. Next question sps with 24" tapered barrel OR SPF tactical 20" bull barrel?? Guess my thought was longer the barrel better accuracy at longer ranges??

Thought about that but ar is set up for 3gun with red dot for tac iron and didn't want to keep switching optics.

Well was trying to stay around 500 It's going to be a trial thing for me to see if I really enjoy slowing down and making precise shots. I shoot 3gun USPSA and steel now and just want to give some longer range precision shooting a try without spending a lot of my other shooting sports funds:)

Well for right now just to do some shooting at my club and at a friends house who has a range on his farm out to 500 yards. Not looking to compete long range at this time but eventually may want to. just enjoy developing loads and want to do some long range group shooting.

Well I am looking to buy a bolt action rifle in .223 and know nothing about them at all. Been doing some research and have narrowed down to 3 rifles. Remington 700 Ruger American Savage Axis Not looking to spend a lot of money to start but want to buy a rifle that I can build and improve over time. Looks like from my research that the Remington 700 has the most options availible to build off of. I already have a burris 3-9x scope and looking for .223 because I already reload it For my AR. Any input would be appreciated.

I was in the same spot you are about 3 years ago. Was going to get a lee turret to save some money. Everyone I talked to said you will find yourself reloading more than you think and may as well save the time and money and go with at least a 550 but 650 would be best. At the time I only loaded 9mm. Now load 9mm and .40 on my 550 and have a 450 setup for .223 only. I now wish I would have just done the 650 but the 550 works fine for how much I shoot right now. As for accessories. Tumbler, scale, caliper, case trimmer, de burr primer pocket cleaner and swage for military brass ( case prep center I have found best for these steps) you will want separate tool heads and powder throws for each caliper to make switching over much easier.

I figured that 2 stock 5.25 would be fine. Reason I question changing mine out was the .40 was built by canyon Creek so there was a lot of work done to the sear along with many other things. I did try it and it reset and ran great!

Happy Birthday Pat !!!

Wonder how many people have went yo YouTube and searched shotgun load 6 after reading this. (I know I did:)

can you please post pictures when the versamax comes back! thanky ... Gladly

I cannot speak on the versamax tactical or the 3gun version but I have a 26" versamax sportsman with a +7 Nordic extention and it has ran FLAWLESSLY no matter what I have fed it! And it is very light on recoil. Currently with Jeff at c-rums getting loadin port opened , welded lifter, throat barrel , and extended bolt release. Can't wait to get it back.

Was the air real heavy that day? Reason I ask I had the same issue with one of my loads. Normal day loads were fine little smoke but no issue until one day overcast with a light drizzle and heavy air, smoked so bad could not see in front of my gun at all (not good when shooting steel)

I tumble with a mixture of corn cob, crushed walnut, and a little mineral spirit for about 6 hours. Even with carbide dies lay them out and shoot some hornady one shot before I load.

Well i fit the 9mm slide on.. it's a little tight at first but slides right on. Dry firing it went fine reset is good??

No I shoot .40 limited major and the 9mm for multigun and steel matches.

I have a Canyon Creek custom Xdm 5.25 in .40 and an Xdm 5.25 9mm that I built myself... is there any reason I could not or should not take the complete slide off of the 9mm and put on the lower of the .40 and just switch mags? Reason being .40 lower..trigger, mag well, and grips much better than the 9mm lower.

Welcome from circleville! Buckeye blast will be an awsome match!

Or the suggestion above???

They look like berry's 124gr hollow points

I started in my pole barn but way to hot in the summer and way to cold in the winter. Moved to dedicated room in my basement with dehumidifier and never looked back. I do all my tumbling in the garage.