alfaDude

I've been shooting Frontier 180 gr FP Restrike out of my P16-40 with good results. I've also tried 165gr RNFP (non restrike) but have not found an accurate load yet. I think that the restrike-process does make a difference. The 165ers were about your second picture, or what it would translate to on 25 meters, and the 180gr FP Restrike are at least as good as your first pic. Sub 3" groups at 25 meters and I could be responsible for at least one of those inches Not sure if they are "very accurate" but they are good enough for me for IPSC, 25yd PPC and 25 meter target shooting. (Not tried 50yd yet) http://www.frontierb...a/distributors/

Of those diciplines IDPA are the strictest. Many of the competition holsters from IPSC will not be legal in IDPA (CR SpeedHolster, DAA etc) From what I've heard, Bladetech are durable and works well for your needs.

Do you have the correct crimp? Too little crimp will result in pretty low speeds.

I have one mag more then I have holders so I have my "Starter mag" in my hand or my side pocket. On LARM I load the gun and eject the mag. Then I holster the gun and pull another bullet from my pocket and top the mag up before pulling my gun out again and re-inserting the mag. That way I have the same procedure no matter what division I am shooting. I like to keep things simple so I want my procedures to be the same all the time. It also gives me a few extra seconds looking down range and getting focused while putting that last round in the mag and putting it back in my gun. It works for me and has become part of my pre-beep routine. A friend shooting production is using an overloaded mag on LARM and on one station the procedure called for start w/o a round in the chamber. He did as usual and the RO pointed out that he should not have a chambered round. He promptly unloads the gun, pushes the ejected round back in the mag and inserts it. After ULASC the RO asks him: "Do you know what you've done?" After 3 secs my friends face light up in a big smile and he answers: "I've just shot my first open match."

The key here is the word "visibly". If you want to be a PITA you say that it is up to the shooter to make sure that it is obvious that the finger is outside and "close calls" should be called against the shooter. Never seen it being enforced that way though.

Keep the old 1-stage press to run the de-bulger for those that need it when/if you buy a SDB.

I guess that the open base will make a big difference in the integrity of the jacket and how the "lead" will move inside the jacket.

What should those of us using a SDB do with glockified brass?

I'll tag a question on this thread. Is it only the stainless steel frames that crack, or do the blue frames also crack? I have a P16-40 Ltd bought new in 2000 so Canadian made, and have been toying with the idea och putting a 90 degree C-more on it to be able to shoot one more class. Eventually complimented with a comp conversion kit, but if cracks are "inevitable" I might just wait and get a dedicated open gun. Keep shooting the P16-40 with iron-sights and not joining the .40S&W-open club

But the XTP HP is about the best bullet out there. If I could afford them, I'd only shoot them

I've mostly been using Fed #200 (SP Magnum) for "everything", and worked my loads up with them. 9x19, .38 Spec, .357 Mag and .40 S&W.