BroncoGlenn

Every gun behaves differently. Two guns back-to-back on the production line can shoot the same ammo at different velocities. Also, Glock's poly rifling tends to run a little faster over standard rifling.

It takes a quick and abrupt strike to set a primer off. Slowly crushing them with the loading press or pliers doesn't do it. If you have a habbit of quickly smacking the press handle back to the full aft stop, you are asking for trouble--especially if some debris should get on the primer seating rod.

They are up now: http://www.steelchallenge.com/steelchallen...AIN%20MATCH.htm

Good explanation. Only questioin is, what is a "+P .40 cal"?

The Lee scale I have works surprising well given it's cost. It lines up well with my Pact digital. However, it is a pain to zero compared to my RCBS 5-10 scale and setting the tenth of grains requires removing the arm from the base to easily set it, which makes measuring unknown weights very time consuming. Finally, the witness marks with their funny angles make me go cross-eyed looking at them.

While cleaning my gun today I noticed the elevation screw missing from the Wilson rear adjustable sight. I really don't see how it could have launched as it has a detent holding it from turning. Guess I'll be giving Wilson a call in the morning, maybe just the screw can be replaced. Oh well, I needed to call them anyway for a new magazine base pad. The sight is still set in it's position it just has the slightest amount of play in it if pushed on. Most of my shooting today was playing with some new loads and shooting for groups. The sight seemed to still be stable from shot to shot as I was getting 6 shot cloverleaf groups @ 10 yards. Granted I have no idea if it dissapeared right after shooting the groups and while I was burning some play rounds. Or even if it broke yesterday.

Those are still some pretty substantial spreads on your loads. I've been using some loads of 230gr. over 5.0gr of N320 and have singe digit SDs for the two loads I've used them in: 230gr. FMJ, 5.0 gr N320, Hi: 837 Lo: 818 Es: 19 Av: 826 SD: 7 230gr. copper plated, 5.0gr N320 Hi: 813 Lo: 794 Es: 19 Av 805 SD: 8 Both data sets are based on 7 shot averages from mixed headstamps. Measured with an Oehler 35 chronograph. Fired from S&W PC1911 and ignited by WLP primers. Which brings me to another cross-road--your primers. You might want to try experimenting with other brands. Primers can have one of the largest significant roles in consistent velocity, all else being equal. I've always been happy with Winchester's in both pistol and rifle.

I've got a Frankford Arsenal (Midway) case gauge in .45 ACP. It will reject rounds that will drop into my barrel ok. It does a good job too of picking up rounds that have boogered up rims that need a quick hit with a file. If you need to use a Lee FCD to get the rounds to case gauge then something isn't right with your setup.

You're not! Don't feel bad, I just got mine yesterday.

I'll be looking forward to the Chino match.

The only way to truely "provide a level playing field" so that only the abilities of the shooter are evaluated and not their choice of equipment, is to turn IDPA into IROC of the gun games. Dictate a standard platform gun, exact trigger pull weight, magazines, ammo, holster, etc. No other modifications may be done, regardless of purpose. Otherwise there will always be a perceived advantage of a gun that tips the scales near the max for that division, or has a custom fitted barrel/bushing that improves the accuracy of the gun. So what happens if a bunch of people whine and pout and get their wish of raising the power factor, even if it is just the floor for major, only to realize they still continue to lose to the same players? Do we then introduce trigger pull scales? Perhaps look for those applying car wax to their magazines? Perhaps we should prohibit guns that have an MSRP over $1000 to include modifications? Even if IDPA implemented IROC equipment rules, the same shooters who consistently shoot high marks and win will continue to shoot high marks and win. However, there will always be those that will find something to declare as an unfair advantage.

But raise the power factor to which manufacturer's level? While we are at it, how about restricting CCW carriers to only shooting what they carry as their CCW gun? IDPA is a game, and as long as someone is keeping score, there is always going to be competition and people will always do what they can to improve their scores within the limits of the rules. The rules already have minimum power factors, raising them won't help the people that are complaining about the reloaders having an advantage by shooting loads that are just over PF. Reloaders, in general, are able to shoot more and typically get more live-fire practice than non-reloaders. It's that additional practice that gives reloaders an edge, and rightfully so. If they want to make rule changes, do something worthwhile, like allowing reloads while moving from position to position, or to not require the retaining of magazines, even if empty, if a reload is performed anywhere other than at slide-lock.

I've never tried using the Lee FCD for pistol cartridges on my 650. The resistance and "clunking" on the upstroke of the single stage press was annoying enough. The standard Dillon dies work just dandy for me in the 650. And of course the Lee FCDs I got for bottleneck rifle cartridges was a complete waste of money in that there is no good reason for crimping non-canneluered rifle loads. Oh well.

Talked to PACT and they had me email them the info so it could be put on a list for the programmer to work on.

Stumbled across what looks to be a bug in the software (1.01d on mine) of the Mk IV XP timer involving the use of the Benchmark function. In short: If the benchmark function is turned on and the go key is pressed to start the countdown, and the go key is pressed again during the countdown, the timer locks up, with pulling the battery the only way to reset it. If the go key lockout function is enabled and the go key is pressed during countdown the timer cancels countdown and returns to the timer command screen. When review is then pressed and then yes to enable the go key, pressing the go key brings up a countdown screen with the unit locked up. Again, the battery must be removed to reset the unit. Don't know if anybody else has seen this or can reproduce it.

I crimp to 0.469"

AzShooter, I tried the 4.2 grain load and man is it soft. Catching feathers soft. I'm definitely going to have to put them over the chrono because I just have a hard time believing they come close to making major they are that soft. I fired 350 of these loads the other day and (and 200 of a 5.0/230gr. jacketed load) over a couple hours and I wasn't the least bit tired. Loaded up the rest of what I had on hand and ordered another 4 lbs. from Powder Valley.

Mucho gracias.

Anybody have any suggested loads for VV N320 and 200 (SWC) and 230 (ball) grain hard casts? Still waiting to shoot the N320 with my 230gr FMJ loads (5.0gr) but that N320 sure does meter very well through the Dillon measure.

S&W PC1911

A good idea. At the very least it shows that IDPA has an active interest in ensuring all the SOs are the the right sheet of music.

KY Imports has Armscor 180 gr. for $149 per 1000. Shot this stuff in .45 and it's decent. http://www.kyimports.com/ammo.htm

I think once IDPA recognizes and accepts that it is second fiddle to USPSA/IPSC there will be less bias towards USPSA shooters. I'm not saying IDPA is any lesser of a game (yes, IDPA is still a game and many people need to come to terms with that) than USPSA, its just different. And if trying to woo over USPSA shootersand get them to stick around, they need to make people from other disciplines feel welcome. Other shooters--the regulars--essentially need to keep their traps shut if they see a new shooter sporting verboten equipment. The new shooter is already aware they have illegal equipment. If something is to be said it needs to be friendly and constructive along the lines of: "I noticed you are new here and if you like our game and need any advice for equipment suggestions I'd be happy to help." The club I normally shoot local matches are pretty much all cross pollinators. Many of the people that shoot IDPA there have been shooting USPSA, Steel Challenge, and man-on-man steel. IDPA is just more trigger time and another chance for skill evaluation.

Ah well, guess it's sticking with a quick makeup shot for luck if its not a limited count. Guess we couldn't expect the rules comittee to allow some sensibility by allowing a shooter to just drop an empty mag, regardless of slide status.

Here's some info from BE's store: