rschoon

I just went from a Square Deal to a 550 and a 650. The 650 is the cats meow. I love it. I have a tool head set up with just a 223 sizing die and a toolhead to do the rest of the work. I run the case feeder dry sizing so that i can check dimensions and trim if nessessary. i have cut my reloading time drastically. Did I say I love it?

So far I have ordered a holster for my x-5 3 tmes and yet to get one. Been 6+ wks now. They don't impress me with their service. If they weren't the only ones making the type of holster I want I would go elswhere.

Blue is such a nice color. My rifle is blue...my shotgun is blue...my pistol may become blue.

If you have the right tools it is not that difficult. Get the DPMS wrench. Around 25 bucks. It has the correct stuff on it. I have also done the drill and tap thing and was also successful in that as well. If you don't have the tool or whatever, you can always get it done for you.

if you want to build one, have a qualified smith double check the chamber. I have built several and depending on the manufacturer and/or coating used or not used, (i use a lot of baked ceramic coatings.) some material may get into the chamber therefore making live rounds stick due to the chamber becoming smaller. it can be a challenge getting them out safely sometimes.

I am going to be trying the ceramic coating. I have 3 guns in right now and should get them back very soon. It is supposed to be good for wear. We'll see.

I just got a new Sig X-Five in .40 cal. OMG How Nice. Got it Sat. Morning at 0700 and shot in the Eddy Brown Memorial Metal Match Sat. and Sun. I now have absolutly no excuses now. The thing shoots much better than me. So little recoil and major accuracy. The only drawback is 1) My current ablility and 2) the mags only hold 14 and those cost $75.00 each. I will be calling Aradondo (Sp). real soon to see what can be done about that. I am so Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

It's about time. I have tried the generic and they suck. Hope these will work well.

I bet this could be why I shot like crap at my last match on Sat.. mmmm I think it's time to dry fire a bit more. No no a LOT more.

The match was indeed a great event. Am looking forward to next year. Thanks to not only the sponsers, RO's and all the other workere bees but also to those who helped out those of us who are newb's. A big thanks to you all!

It seems that right now my zone is the Twilight zone

I found out this weekend how much I don't have it together yet. On the other hand, It's getting closer.

I did my first 3-gun Friday and I didn't "notice" or even see my sights lift. Mmmm, I have much more practice to do. But OMG it was fun. Some things I did well at and others not so well. I think I do better when I go first on a stage too. I have this inate "need" to do better than the guy in front of me even knowing that I need to do my best and not the other guys and gals. Oh well, another learning issue that someday will become ingrained.

I have made a bunch of the 2x4 H stands. They cost almost nothing as you can get all the 2x4's from any construction site for free. I do buy 1x2's but they are cheap. Nails don't cost a lot but can work their way out over time. Scres are better for longevity. I then use a rock to achor it down when it is breezy. The 2x4's make a good platform for the rocks. Total cost is about $2.00 per unit.

I was out on the range today practicing and finally I am "seeing" my sights lift and come back. Granted I was shooting at only 10 yards but WAHOOO! Probably 90%A zone hits at my current top speed. Rick's a happy camper now. This is the first time I have been able to pick it up like this after reading all the tips I can find and trying all season. I just hope it continues as I am shooting at the Inland Empire 3-gun Championships this weekend. This will be my biggest match to date. (This is my first season gaming.)

This is my biggest match to date. I am pretty excited. I got my days off changes around a little so I will be able to be there at least for Sat. morning to help out and watch some of the top gunners. Yeaaaa Kimel and EricW, It will be good to meet you and put a face to your forum names! See you Friday!

I buy powder and primers locally. Bullets from Dillon. Brass - I have a deal at one of the local ranges. I pay scrap price for any and all Brass. I will then sell what I don't use or use it for trading stock.

It's cool. I got my package from Dillon today. Not only did they send me a new roller pin, they sent me the whole primer tube setup. This over and above the call of duty. They primer tube setup they sent is the new version too. Again. THEY ARE AWESOME!!

Just last week I was reloading and the primer return spring sprung (broke) and shot me in the gut. I called Dillon and the guy at the other end he will put one in the mail along with another manual and some other "goodies".(my machine is about 10 or better years old.) I can't wait to get that package and see what those "Goodies" are. THEY ARE AWESOME!!!

I prefer the ball handle. I have loaded a great many rounds in a sitting and had no problems other than I got thirsty.

Yea, give Dillon a call. Thier service is awesome. I have used them a few times and they didn't even try to make me feel dumb.

If TSA comes up north here I will certainly try it out. I just can't afford yet another membership fee. Match fee yes, membership no. I have to many things on the fire now.

I call it practicing with intent. I also practice when I don't relly feel like it and I get out of it what I put into it. At times it seems that when I do that then I don't get nearly as much out of it. One thing I tell my students is that when you're not "into" practicing, first sit down and will (focus) yourself into the proper frame of mind and then most of the time (with practice) you will obtain a better frame of mind to be able to get better practice. I think that when we practice while we are only partly focused we only maintain our current skill level rather than make it better. I hope this doesn't seem to much like rambling.

I also think that our abilities can change for the better or worse. What is our mindset? Physical well being? Attitude? I personally think attitude is the most influential as "Attitude is Everything." I am sure there are others as well. My $.02

I also have to plan reloads more efficiantly. In the long run I will benifit greatly. Just need to keep practicing and have fun. I am also trying 3-gun so I need to practice the other guns as well. I think that this will slow down my improvement a little but hey, I LOVE IT!!