coldchar

As a newly minted RO, I get a lot of irratated participants asking why USPSA;/IPSC uses the method it does for scoring, not the ring points but the dividing the score by the time. I am thinking it is because of the sheer number of participants. By dividing the score by the time we can easily carry the results out of 4 or more decimal points as versus just two decimal points if only the time were used as is done in IDPA. Can someone tell me before I open my mouth and give out the wrong answer.

Speed works too. Either a hot 38 super or .357.

If I may make an analogy- Having done both ROing and umpiring I think there is an analogy between the two occupations even though one is a safety issue and one is not Experienced umpires know you never "guess at an out". Likewise you had better see the out before making the call and you had best be in a physical position to allow you to see the out or you will catch a lot of anger. Likewise, if I have an experienced shooter in front of me, as compared to someone obviously struggling with gun handling, I am not calling a DQ for a finger just because I think I see it. I might say, just loud enough for the competitor to hear it, "finger" if I think I there might be a finger in the guard.

38 Super, shooting minor 1911 5" barrel, 38 Super shooting either minor or major with revolver- 4" barrel. For hunting, 38 Super, 6" Long slide, major load. Have not yet figured out where I can get a 38 super derringer.

Not having a comp I am shooting 3N37. Same question, is N 350 still a good substitute?

You might check your extractor tension. This is a routine problem I have as I tend to run a tight extractor. The rim comes up to the extractor but can't slip underneath it as it is too tight. This results often in the gun staying just slightly out of battery.

I have been very happy with the Ultradot optic with the four sizes of dots on my Mk II. I use it for both precision shooting as well as bowling pins.

I am taking the RO course in a couple of weeks and reading and rereading the book. I have run the clock many times which brings me to my question. The quotation marks on 8.3.7 causes the command to be as follows: "if clear, hammer down, holster". Should it not read: If clear, "hammer Down, holster". In short the "if clear" is an observation by the RO and not part of the command structure. Frankly I normally say "Slide, Hammer, Holster". I think that it is the RO responsibility under 8.3.6 to verify the gun is clear? Please clarify.

If you ever build that SS 38 super you will love it. I have a 5", 6", and then I was lucky and got a performance center revolver that shoots the same bullet and load as my 5". I'm in 38 super heaven. Best of all completely reliable and no tendonitis no matter how much I shoot. Signed, True Believe.

I concur with the comment regarding 38 super loads. I have found the data is pretty interchangeable. There are a lot of 115gr 38 super loads out there to give you a starting point. Of course start low and build up gradually and safely.

For the hotter loads, it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling having that heavy duty brass. At least until I think about the wear and tear that type of load is doing on my custom 38 super.

I shoot almost exclusively 38 super in both revolver, ltd 10, and ss (if maxing out points is not a consideration). I also have experimented, a lot, with 9x23 in the 1911 platform. I wish it would fit the revolver but the tolerances of the charge holes are too tight. I certainly agree with the XTP bullet. My favorite powder for either cartridge, in a full power load, is 3N37 if you are not shooting a comp. While I have never owned any V350 I have heard good things about that powder too.

Thanks you all for your response.

I have a long slide 38 super using an "ancient" colt frame and a caspian slide. I used a Wilson 38 super/9mm extractor and ejector. The extractor hook appears to be too far forward of the breech face to hold the round until it can pivot off of the ejector. As a result unless thrown out by the recoil the use brass is pulled off and falls onto the top of the magazine. I am thinking about ordering an extractor directly from Caspian thinking their extractor might be non-stock. Has anyone had any experience in this?

The trick is to time the powder burning so when the bullet is exiting the barrel it has maximized the gas in other words you want as much and long of a burning cycle you can get without having a burn still going after the bullet has exited. Generally a lighter bullet mixed with the right burning powder is a key. I use the Vitouri(sp?) powders for that example: In my 5" 38 super with no comp I use 3N37. However, when I go to a comp barrel I use 3N38. You will probably just have to experiment with powders burning at different rates. I have literally run loads so hot that I would get negative barrel flip off sandbags! Trust me you won't find those loads in the recommended loads. Actuallly they were kind of scary although pressure signs were "almost" acceptable.

I use 3.2 gr Titegroup behind a bullet in the 147-150 grain range for 9mm. Should make pf most any gun.

Frank Glenn who owns Accuracy Unlimited in Phoenix does this job. His webb site includes a price list.

Don't load hot loads in a 38 special case even if fired in an N frame. The web at the base of the brass in 38 special is designed to only handle a certain pressure level. I assume the walls on the .357 brass are thicker but I have never miked them. There are more differences between the 38 special case and the .357 case then meets the eye. I guarantee you will end up with either case head separation or the brass expanding so tight in the cylinder you will need a hammer to get it out.

You have to use moon clips with the 38 super. Not enough rim to reliably eject.

I have the PC 38 Super. While I mostly shoot minor I was able to reach major with a fairly mild load of 6.0 3N37 and 151 gr Ranier RN. If I thought they were chronographing I might kick the load up a tenth or so. I was pleasantly surprised with the mildness of the recoil. The L frame has plenty of metal to aborb the impulse.

You really don't need 45 to make major. My 38 super with 151 gr Ranier and 6.0 gr. 3N37 just squeaks by and the recoil is nothing.

The coating may just be inside the cylinder holes. I just received a new S&W cylinder for my 686 38 super. When I went to chamfer the charge holes using my standard method of a brass screw coated in abraisive it just laughed at me. Definitely hard. The outside of the cylinder does not appear to be coated.

Could there be variation problems from two different causes interacting with each other? I definitely have found lots of variation due to temperature, however, I also have a lot more trouble with Titegroup variation as I move toward the major end of the spectrum. I thought (knowing absolutely nothing about what I am talking about) possibly it had to do with it being a double base powder and that the nitro consumes available oxygen in the case and the powder burn goes to heck in a hand basket.

Concur with the last shooter. Dry firing is eseential to developing the muscle memory for pulling a trigger which allows you to just concentrate on the sights. It also is the only way to learn to "roll" the trigger and to not let the gun drop after the trigger is pulled. Live firing is the only way to learn to deal with the noise and recoil to "minimize" that pesky flinch. I don't have enough time to follow his training routine but I live fire at the range at least once a week for between 100-150 rounds and do five- one handed sets of dry firing with both the weak hand and strong hand every single evening. I am seeing steady progress- trust me I need progress.

I am having a Model 17-4 with an 8 3/8' barrel worked on. Part of the project will be reducing the barrel down to 6" to get a more all around shooter. I have seen a couple of references to the Weigand sight base as a good way to go for the front sight. I have a PC 686 with the clip in front blades and I am wondering if 1. what has been the experience with the weigand system and 2. are the sight blades for it compatible with those on my PC? Thank you in advance for any input.