RAP

I was hoping someone would find this useful. I loaded the same basic components and tested on two different days. I like testing my loads under different conditions throughout the year. I believe this gives me a more accurate picture of my load.

Here is some data shot on a different day. Created: 04/22/17 01:11 PMDescription: 2011 Limited PistolNotes 1: 180 grain cast HI TEK CoatedNotes 2: 4.6 grains WST CCI SSPDistance to Chrono(FT): 10.00Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000Bullet Weight(gr): 180.00Temp: 69 °FBP: 29.14 inHgAltitude: 800.00# FPS FT-LBS PF9 949 360.01 170.82 8 955 364.58 171.90 7 940 353.22 169.20 6 953 363.06 171.54 5 941 353.97 169.38 4 944 356.23 169.92 3 965 372.26 173.70 2 944 356.23 169.92 1 943 355.48 169.74 Average: 948.2 FPSSD: 8.2 FPSMin: 940 FPSMax: 965 FPSSpread: 25 FPSShot/sec: 0.6True MV: 949 FPSGroup Size (in): 0.00

Here ya go. Created: 04/08/17 02:53 PMDescription: 40 S&WNotes 1: 180 Cast BulletNotes 2: 4.6 grains WSTDistance to Chrono(FT): 10.00Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000Bullet Weight(gr): 180.00Temp: N/A °FBP: N/A inHgAltitude: 600.00# FPS FT-LBS PF10 948 359.26 170.64 9 942 354.72 169.56 8 974 379.23 175.32 7 951 361.53 171.18 6 942 354.72 169.56 5 951 361.53 171.18 4 945 356.99 170.10 3 948 359.26 170.64 2 945 356.99 170.10 1 955 364.58 171.90 Average: 950.1 FPSSD: 9.4 FPSMin: 942 FPSMax: 974 FPSSpread: 32 FPSShot/sec: 0.5True MV: 951 FPSGroup Size (in): 0.00

I have some chronograph data if you want it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WST is clean burning. My load is 4.6 grains of WST, CCI small pistol primers, loaded to 1.180 OAL. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've ran into this issue before. What I discovered is a concentricity problem with the case walls causing the bullet to be off centered. When I find these cases I will toss the case in the trash. It's easy to determine if this is the problem. Just measure the wall of the case mouth and you will a significant difference from one side to another. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like Missouri 180 NLG and Acme 180 grain NLG.

My friend who built my Limited gun suggested I start with VV N320 and WST powders for 180 grain cast HI TEK coated bullets. I settled on WST; I couldn't tell any difference in accuracy, feel of recoil, etc. I couldn't justify spending twice the $$ for VV N320 when WST worked just as well.

I've been shooting USPSA for about 2 years now. I started out shooting 9mm for Limited Minor. I started out bouncing between 115's and 124's and couldn't really feel the difference. It seemed like one day the 115's felt and shoot better then the next day the 124's felt and shot better. I finally settled on 115's and shot those exclusively for a couple months before a more experienced shooter let me try his 147's. I was surprised how much difference I could feel between 115's and 147 loads both loaded to a similar PF of 130ish. Don't remember exact, but they were close. I liked the way the 147's felt and shot I started looking at heavier bullets and I settled on 145 ACME and was very happy with those. What Sarge posted is spot on with my experience.

I use the Hornady bullet feed dies and I have not had problems with the 40 cal. die using HI TEK coated bullets. 9mm is a different story. I had to use the 38/357 feed die and I've not had any problems since. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I couldn't get the rear dove tail mount to hold on my CZ P 09. I am in the process of sending the slide to Cajun Gun Works to have the slide milled for my Delta Point Pro. I would make I sent your slide to a smith who is and have experience in this work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was the opposite. I went from being a Benchrest shooter to a dedicated USPSA shooter. a couple years ago. The phemonon you mentioned isn't crazy. It a result of heightened concentration, or another way to say it "focus on your sight". The trick is take what you learned and build from it incorporating it into your practice and matches.

I bought Ben's Skills and Drills book a couple months ago. It's a great book and it has already helped a lot. It brought some needed structure to my practice.

I love mine. It's very solid and has good adjustments. I like it a lot more than my old WSSM holster. Glad I bought it instead of the race master. I'm using it for my limited rig.

I went through the same thing. I had an old Pro Chrono that finally bit the dust. I went back and forth for months weighing the pro's and con's of each unit. Finally I decided on the Caldwell G2 and have been happy with it. It has been very good picking up shots something my old Pro Chrono struggled with under different lighting conditions. The tripod is that comes with the G2 is marginal at best. I decided not to use the one provided with the unit and use my old tripod that uses the 1/4" x 20 screw instead of the quick connect.

I like Missouri Bullets 40 cal 180 grain coated. They are consistent and shoot very well out of my Limited.

Missouri Bullet has it for $2.18 pound. I Agree! I have shot thousands of their bullets and always been very happy with them.

For me the cost of buying 12,000 180 grain NLG coated bullets from ACME is $1,110.00 not including shipping. I can cast and coat the same quantity for $720.00. It's a lot of work and if you put a $$$ on your time it won't make sense and buying is clearly cheaper. However, I really enjoy casting my own so the time invested is no big deal. Missouri Bullet has great casting lead alloy for $2.18 pound.

I just ran the numbers for what it cost me to cast 180 grain bullets for my .40 S&W. I am not taking into account cost of equipment or time, just the commercial lead I buy and cost of the HI TEK coating. I buy a 92% lead, 6% antimony, 2% tin mixture and coat with the powdered HI TEK coating. What I came up with is $0.06 each. If I bought the same weight coated bullet not counting shipping the cost (I am including taxes) is $0.113 each from the same company I buy the lead from. I am blessed with having a source of lead and commercial coated bullets a reasonable driving distance from my home. I cast all my bullets in the winter/off season. I have many days when the weather is terrible and casting bullets gives me something to do. My goal is to cast a minimum of 12,000 bullets for the upcoming season for practice and matches.

This post made me chuckle! Years ago I used to load in the house on carpeted floors. Oklahoma summers can be brutally hot and my wife is very understanding and didn't mind my reloading in the house. But, my wife would always let me know when our Kirby vacuum would detonate a primer and or powder that managed to make it on the floor. Frankly is scared the heck out of her! However no damage occurred to the Kirby or my wife.

My last match I forgot to load my magazines from the previous stage. I was busy showing another shooter how to score on the nook. When it came time for me to shoot I stepped up and shot the stage. When I finished and the RO asked me to unload and show clear; I dropped the mag and it was empty. I pulled the slide back and my gun was also empty. I had just enough rounds in the 2 magazines I used to shoot the stage. I made sure that didn't happen again.

I know I'm not answering your question. I do have a question for you about the RCBS bullet feeder. How quite is it? I am told by a couple people the hornady is pretty load. I am thinking about getting one for my Pro 2000 as well, so I am interested in this thread as well.

I had a similar experience when I shot my very first USPSA match. I was shooting my M&P 45 in limited 10. A very reliable pistol up until now. Before the match I ordered 3 additional magazines (I only had 2 and needed 5) the Sunday before I left town. (I travel for business nearly every week) My wife called to tell me they came in. I thought great! Thats as far as my thought went. When I got back home that Friday I gathered everything I thought I would need; ammo, magazines, etc to get ready for the match. Along story short: My first stage I had 3 malfunctions due to the 3 new magazines that I had bought. The next 2 stages I had similar experiences. Finally the last 2 stages the new magazines started working just fine. Moral of this story for me is. Don't shoot a match with unproven equipment. I should've had my son or my wife load and unload the new magazines a few times to help break them in before the match! Oh well stuff happens. Most important, I still had fun. Intact I fell in love with the sport that day.

I have never heard of SMP powders. Is SMP St. Marks Powder? Do you have any additional information?

I use Make Ready. I don't know if it's the best. It does pick up dry fry shots when using ear buds with a mic. Par time seems to work well also. It does not work nearly as good as a regular shot timer for live fire. I use it only for dry fire practice.