[Steel Challenge 9mm Loading]

On 3/20/2017 at 11:23 AM, ktyler said:

I have ran 95 gr and 105 gr bullets in both my open steel gun and my limited steel gun (Single stack 1911).  The guns just were not as reliable with the light bullets as it was with 124gr bullets. One thing I personally found with the really light bullets is they did not give a very good visual que of a hit on non falling plates.  The other problem I had with shooting the really light bullets in my open steel gun was the rounds were loud even though they were only making 117 PF and they were very fast.  My electronic hearing protection was still shut down when the bullets impacted the steel.  

 

So....we have 3 confirmations of a hit; sight lifting from the impact area at the start of recoil, followed by audible impact that we hear as we are transitioning to the next plate and the visual impact of the round hitting the steel, (which we rarely see but the RO's d)   

 

I played a whole season with the pocket rockets and I now shoot 124/125 gr bullets.  The guns run better,  I can hear the hit way better and can see a bigger splatter on the plates.

 

I took top 4, 2 years in a row at the Briley West Coast Steel Championships.  While chatting with the other top shooters, I learned they didn't really car about "light loads", it was about reliability.  Hope this helps

 

Keith Tyler

Tyler Firearms Instruction

What is your PF with your 124/125 and what is your choice of powder?  I am currently working a load up for my 1911 open and am trying to find a good starting point.

[STI Steel Master Question]

Turns out the mainspring finger was tweaked a bit to much. A little bend to correct the pressure on the sear and the problem was solved.

[STI Steel Master Question]

mine does

Thanks. I guess I have to strip it down and see whats going on.

[STI Steel Master Question]

Does the STI Steel Master have a half cock position? I just noticed mine isn't doing it.

[Rudy Glasses -- best place]

I am one of the team Captains for Rudy Project. If you have any questions I would be more then happy to answer them for you.

[Tom's steel Challenge Diary]

For goals on the same stages I keep a spreadsheet of my times and my goal is to go out and beat my best time recorded. Can be just by .01 seconds. I just compete against myself and let the scores fall where they will.

[Which Delta Point Mount?]

I'd be interested in seeing Matt's work when done as well.

[90 degree C-More question]

Out of curiosity did you consider a micro dot to open the ejection port area more?

[Is a comp really necessary for a Steel Challenge open gun?]

Good topic Scott! Some very interesting points of view.

[RTS 2]

I shot all weekend with one on an open revolver with no problems but I don't think that really qualifies.

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

lmao, considering I nearly crapped myself when I found it laying on the bench that makes me feel much better. I did put it back in the spring and, hesitantly, tested it. It worked so I figured I was right. Nice to know it is useless anyway. I put in the Wolff hammer and 14# trigger return springs and feel a huge difference. Thanks for the answers Toolguy. You just may have saved my upcoming shooting months events.

John, are you loading your own ammo (federal primers) , or shooting factory?

If you'll be at LPRGC or OBRPC in the coming weekends, I can bring you an 11lb and 12lb rebound spring, I should have a few spares laying around.

That would be great alecmc. I am reloading my own ammo w/Federal primers and I plan to shoot both OBRPC and LPRGC for practice before the PSA Shootout.

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

lmao, considering I nearly crapped myself when I found it laying on the bench that makes me feel much better. I did put it back in the spring and, hesitantly, tested it. It worked so I figured I was right. Nice to know it is useless anyway. I put in the Wolff hammer and 14# trigger return springs and feel a huge difference. Thanks for the answers Toolguy. You just may have saved my upcoming shooting months events.

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

Also, is there a guide pin inside the trigger return spring? I was able to safely remove the original spring but then found this pin on my bench. The only place I thought it could have fell out of was inside the spring.

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

Do you have a suggestion for the recoil spring?

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

I have a 986 so I believe it has a reduced mainspring already. Not knowing this I purchased the Wolff kit and it came with a 13#, 14# and 15# trigger return spring. I don't know what is currently in the 986. Since my open centerfire pistol may not be finished by the next few event I thought I would try this revolver. Heavy double action and a very tired forearm, lol. Just trying to get it usable so I don't have to cancel or miss out.

[APEX Hammers & Extended Firing Pin]

Two questions...

1. Will putting in a lighter trigger return spring alone help with trigger pull weight?

2. How in the world do your remove the trigger return spring to replace it?

I am new to revolvers. Like less then a couple weeks new.

Thanks, John

[Anyone have a 1911 Traditional Match Elite 9mm?]

What are your experiences with this if you have one? What's the good/bad?

[147gr or 124gr ?]

135s from BBI. Best feeding

How's the accuracy on those bbi heads ?

I have had great success with the BBI heads. I find them very accurate for me.

[Sig P320]

My plan was to use 135's but it seems as if the 147's are the head to go with.

[Sig P320]

Here's the Sig P320 Robert Burke (The Sig Armorer) and I did.

Work Done:

Robert - Bead Blasted Slide/Trigger/Adjustable Sight work (XD Adjustable Rear/Stock P Series Fiber Optic Front)

Tactical Texture - Texture work

Here are some better pics of the finished product:

The finished product is pretty much perfect for me, but I might have to try cutting 3 coils off that recoil spring like alma did just in case!

That slide looks great!

[First match with the P320]

Nice runs alma!

[Max Michel's Steel Challenge Equipment]

If I remember correctly he is running a Sig frame. His top end is a 5 inch lightened slide with a 5? port cone comp with a Cmore . He is running 38 Supercomp from Atlanta arms at around 135-140PF. Pretty standard SC gun set up. It is incredible to watch him practice and see what he can do pushing it and then he slows down for the match...LOL

DougC

Thanks for the info Doug. I guess this is just one of those custom deals where there is no base firearm to work off of. Didn't hurt to ask I guess?

[Max Michel's Steel Challenge Equipment]

Thanks Scott. You are always a great help.

[Max Michel's Steel Challenge Equipment]

Anyone know what 1911 model Max uses for the base of his 38 super Steel Challenge guns? I know his gunsmith is Dan Bedell but that's about all I know.

[1st of two new Caspians....]

I think for the home gunsmith" the Dremel and router table was a fantastic idea. It may take longer but it doesn't require expensive machinery and eliminates hours of hand work. I say great job.