JPeel

I didn't measure mine before and after but did feel that it was a bit smoother. I liked it. However, I did have two FTF's in Sunday's match, one on a RIO and one on a Fiocchi so I'm going back to the stock hammer spring before this weekend's match. Not sure if that's where the problem lies but don't have time to test before the match.

I learned to weak hand load from caddies, then load 2 strong hand, then load 2 weak hand. I can't quadload yet and honestly don't think I'll spend much time this year trying to learn. There are times when one method may be better suited for the stage / situation than the other so even though load 2 weak hand is my preferred, and fastest method, I still practice the others. One thing I like the caddie better for is pulling a single to port load in the unfortunate event of running the gun dry with one or more targets left to shoot. I should have thought about that last Saturday but left my caddie in the truck As far as caddie retention, I use 4x4's and Otto's and have never had a shell bounce out when running / moving on the stage. The shells are far more likely to hit the ground once in my hands though.

I put the spring kit in my Versamax and while I don't have before and after trigger weight readings, it does feel smoother and lighter.

Am I reading this right - your best time on 7 plates from the holster was 0.08 seconds?

"the new shell that goes ino the chamber does not go boom" Does the trigger reset and you click, hammer falls but no boom? Or does the shell not go completely into the chamber? Have you tried other brands of ammo? I've run a Vmax since June and have had a couple of times when cheaper shells failed to "feed" but that is easily remedied by running the bolt well lubed. Once in the chamber they all go boom when the hammer falls.

Thanks all. Yes, will need some luck and a fast phone connection on Feb 1 if I want a founders cabin

that's the ones I'm wanting to reserve. get a cabin for our group.

Looking to make a weeks worth of reservations in Raton, NM. I'm going to try and book a cabin at the NRAWC for that week but want a hotel booked just in case that doesn't work out. Are the any hotels to AVOID?

^^^this^^^^^

mis-stated AC - thanks for the catch. The difference in the barrels is 11oz, the difference in the handguards is 4oz.

now there's a completely different train of thought than I was on... Thanks.

I have the opportunity to get a new rifle with seekins milled upper/lower, 18" jp light contour barrel and seekins SP3R handguard. This would be built with JP lo-mass internals and trigger. My current rifle is a 18" Mk12 barrel, built on an Aero forged lower, YHM forged upper, and JP handguard. I have the JP lo-mass bcg, captured buffer spring, and trigger in this gun as well. The upper and lower fit well together with barely any play and the gun will cycle anything I run through it. The main problem I have with this current setup is weight, and it's all in the barrel. The DPMS barrel / JP handguard is nearly a full pound heavier than the 18" JP / seekins handguard. I'm considering just changing out the barrel and handguard on my current rifle instead of building the new one. Since I already am running the JP internals the only other changes would be the receivers. So here's the question as I see it: Is there any real benefit to going with the milled Seekins receivers over the Aero / YHM combo I am running now?

This is my method as well. Seems complicated but really tends to keep the plates as stationary as possible, even if I miss once or twice. I use this technique for the shotgun also. My first real encounter with the star was at the FB3 gun this year where there was a single star and a double star on the same stage. I did so poorly with those that I went in half with my local range owner to buy an MGM star. Now I can practice the star every week!

Denise, visting with you and JJ at FB3G this year it was easy to see your passion for the sport and the enthusiasm you have for putting on the match. I had a good time just being a spectator last year. I can't imagine how much fun it will be to actually be a shooter this year. (feel free to remind me that I said this on day 5 when my butt is dragging....)

^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

I thought my gun was heavy at 9.5lbs, but maybe not.

best of luck to you.

Getting there is going to be an issue. Coming from the south, no problem. Coming in from the north or west - looking pretty iffy. We'll decide Sat am whether it's driveable or not.

I'm hoping for no freezing precip for the boy to drive through. Even though he'd tough it out, the dad in me might not let him drive down there.

And after having way too much fun shooting a Texas star over and over and over... it works! I really noticed the difference when shooting the star from the top-down. I was able to fire quicker when transitioning plate to plate. I wasn't able to do that very well with the stock configuration.

I've shot a lot of steel targets from 50 yds to 600 yds with a 62gr fmj at muzzle velocity of 2800 fps and have yet to damage an AR500 target. There's less than a 100 ft-lb difference in the impact energy of that load vs a 55gr at 3100 fps. Not saying that some matches don't allow the XM193, but if their targets are AR500 steel they shouldn't be damaged by that round. If the targets aren't up to that standard then just about any 556 round will damage it.

Ok, the springs are installed and I'll get to the range later, but first impressions are good. The lifter spring is stronger and the trigger feels better. I don't have a trigger weight gauge so I can't say for certain but it feels somewhat lighter. I did discover that the hammer spring cap can fly a damn long way if you happen to not get it captured in the process of re-assembly. It took me 15 minutes to find it!

tonight! range time tomorrow...

This makes me wish I'd had the time to change them out last night. Range time today but not again for a couple of more weeks

Thanks all. I'm using a C-rums lifter already. I got the Benelli spring kit from TTI and will give them a try at the least. If they don't work then I'm only out a few bucks and a little time.