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Kletus

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    Greenwood, SC
  • Real Name
    Robi Owens

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Looks for Match

Looks for Match (2/11)

  1. Oh yeah. I run Blue Bullets almost exclusively. They run great in all my guns and you can get a 5% forum discount there as well.
  2. I use VVN320 and 180's for major, 165's for minor. N320 is one of the most popular powders out there for competitive shooting if you can find it. I haven't tried Sport Pistol powder in .40 yet, but it is delivering better results in 9mm for me than N320 does. I think the biggest issue right now is: What powder do you have access to?
  3. My apologies for misunderstanding. I've seen plenty of jams due to short OAL in a 1911 platform, but nothing that actually jams the round into the chamber and results in a stuck round. That would typically indicate that the bullet is loaded too long or the case is out of spec. When you stated that it's too much trouble to check every round, I thought you were speaking in general vs. barrel checking each round. If it plunks and passes the hundo (definitely re-check the rounds that stick), then it almost has to be a length or profile issue or there is some physical snag somewhere in the chamber (doubtful). The path I would go down: 1. Does it run factory ammo fine? If so... what is the length and profile of your ammo vs factory?. 2. Follow AHI's advice and run some ammo at the max length that will plunk. 3. Try a different profile bullet and see if it just doesn't like that profile. A different profile bullet could be changing the feed angle just enough to bind.
  4. I use the Permatex Blue Gel threadlocker for all of my Loctite needs and I've never had an issue removing screws when needed.
  5. Buy a Hundo Case Gauge from the pro shop. Every round I make gets run through the Hundo and then boxed in 100 rd boxes. It's an essential part of the reloading process. Any ammo issues show up quickly. The most important part isn't the actual dimensions, but being able to easily see/feel all of the primers so that you see an upside down primer or the worst case, a primer that isn't seated all the way and will cause a slam fire. It's so easy a 7 year old can do it:
  6. What's your limited gun? Look up Hi-capa at www.evike.com The hi-capa design is simply a 2011 in airsoft. Near perfect match to my 2011 pistols and some of them even have grips that are ergonomically very close to high end metal grips but don't have the weight. I actually find that I like dryfire a little better for most training, but an airsoft gun and some small steel targets like from Tactrainers.com will really force you to clean up target transitions. I have their steel challenge set and it's awesome to be able to run actual stages in your garage. The Shotmaxx watch shot timer is perfect when shooting airsoft, but I'm sure others may be as well. It's one thing to do transitions in dryfire, but a completely different level to make a transition to a tiny target and have to actually hit it.
  7. I just use the Mr. Bullet Feed expander/funnel and keep it clean/lubed. I hold it still with one hand and use a used dryer sheet to wipe it off clean. Then I just spray some one shot on my finger and use it to lube around the outside of the expander section of the MBF. It's typically good for several hundred rounds before it starts sticking any again. I also keep my brass in a shoe box sized bin and as soon as I scoop enough out to put in the brass feeder I spray the top layer with one shot. That gives it time to dry off before it's time to put the next batch in.
  8. Agreed. I have more worry about having a double feed on a 550 than I do a squib on the 650. I had one early squib on the 650 and after that I just remove the case that is in the primer/powder slot if there is any hiccup at all on the press. If I have any doubt at all on the rest of the stages then I just pull everything for later evaluation. Next case that comes out of the powder feed gets weighed and then I'm off an running again. I would love to have a 550 on hand for load development though.
  9. Here's a list of most popular guns used at the 2020 USPSA Nationals in Carry Optics. P320X5 Legion was also a top firearm used at the IDPA nationals in CO. I just bought an Atlas Athena for IDPA and I'm still trying to decide whether I like it better than my Q5 Match SF with the Walther performance trigger and sear. The Walther is a great gun and the performance trigger/sear combo really brings it alive. Only issue with the trigger is that the blade safety requires a little tuning or it can lock up the trigger on a non-perfect trigger pull. A little delicate surgery and it is perfect.
  10. Ditto! Last time I ran TG and coated bullets the manager of the indoor range I was shooting at asked me if I was trying out for a civil war re-enactment. It's an extremely accurate powder that meters great in my Dillon. Just burns too hot for coated. If you can find VV N320 or Alliant Sport Pistol you will be much happier. Much lower smoke, still very accurate, and burn cooler and cleaner to boot. I can tell a noticeable difference in how hot my gun gets during practice.
  11. I also need to say that video is invaluable. There are several things she's done (like getting the finger into the trigger guard while moving) that I didn't catch real time but was able to see on video and also show her so that she sees exactly what she was doing. It's even more key to show her things she is doing right and to positively reinforce those actions. A GoPro on a selfie stick or on a tripod is a great tool.
  12. Not sure if this link will share. Figured I'd avoid video's of a 7 year old shooting on YouTube. She has shown great safety and muzzle awareness, so yesterday she got to shoot a Walther PPK - .22 freehand for the first time at 6 yards. All 10 out of the first mag on target, even after switching to head shots halfway through. 9/10 out of the next 10 were on target with a head shot being the only miss. The part that I actually like most is that part way through she turned to ask me if she could shoot at the head. When she did, the muzzle stayed perfectly downrange and finger moved outside the trigger guard. As soon as I saw here start to turn I was preparing to be able to grab the gun and keep it pointed correctly, but she did perfectly. To answer the original post: Yes, airsoft is an amazing training tool that lets you get over the initial learning bits without the stress or danger of a real firearm. There is no way I would have thought that her first real bullets downrange would have come from a pistol, simply from a safety/muzzle control stance, but she was able to learn and be prepared through the practice and drilling we did prior. https://1drv.ms/v/s!AvjcaxeK55FXgtcbvzCbswFPQZSh-A?e=TdatrN Her and her target https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvjcaxeK55FXgtcdaQq0ShNHx5ibyw?e=aKCB4G First run at a 10 yard plate rack. Cost me $3 ($1 per hit). You can see where she relaxed and the recoil of the first shot surprised her a little. After that she tightened up and did great. https://1drv.ms/v/s!AvjcaxeK55FXgtcagkG4N-eObDOF2w?e=DOdc97
  13. This range trip we added a mag pouch and a reload before the last array. The mag was loose in the pouch, so she had to hold it in while she ran, which messed up some of her form during movement.
  14. I'm sure it goes without saying, but safety glasses are a must. I personally like the .28gram bb's for shooting cardboard and for outside. .25 is fine for inside.
  15. I'll give you a different standpoint... the standpoint of someone with 6 or 7 USPSA matches, some steel challenge, some steel matches and 3 or 4 IDPA matches. Take it for what it's worth. 1. You are doing it right. Pick a gun you have and shoot well. Movement and fundamentals are going to do you much better than a new gun, and ammo for practice is more important. Once you get some matches under your belt you will see some other shooters and the gear they shoot and you might want something completely different anyway. 2. If you really want to shoot production, go for it, but I don't think it's the best place for someone new to competition. You have so much else going on when getting into action pistol sports that the focus spent on planning reloads will be much better spent planning movement and figuring out your stage plan. Even if you are stuck shooting minor, I'd recommend loading up the big mags and shooting limited. It's much easier to find one spot in the middle of the stage where you can make a mag change on the move and not worry about running out of bullets. 3. Unless you are a prodigy, you aren't going to be competing in the top half when you start. Fun and fundamentals are way more important than finishing place. I was used to shooting in the top 5 or 10 at our clubs various mini-matches that could really be anything. First real USPSA match I went to I shot production and was 99/100 overall. Once I switched to limited and put in some work I was more relaxed and I worked my way up into the top 60 range when not taking any of the classes/divisions into account. The reason I say that is that yes, it is very important to focus on fundamentals such as fast reloads, no standing reloads, and no slide-lock reloads. That said... If you aren't competing at top levels then the occasional goof-up just simply won't matter. It's definitely not something to worry about or give up on a stage over. Odds are you will be losing MUCH more time on movement and target transitions. You are initially competing against yourself and your only focus should be on doing YOU the best you can. I might also mention that all the other people of your skill level (who are the only people you are competing with for score) will be making the exact same mistakes. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be more perfect than them if score and placing is what drives you. 4. Listen to everything Sgt. Shultz said about dryfire. I can't remember if anyone else said it, but a shot timer is an absolute must. If you have a good space, don't rule out airsoft. It was easy to set up some steel challenge stages in my garage. Not only did it help my steel challenge results, but my draw to first shot and my target transitions got much better. Only caveat is that airsoft doesn't challenge your grip, so you have to be careful to not let your grip get weak. 5. Don't limit yourself to USPSA. I found Steel Challenge and falling steel matches to be a ton of fun without all the planning pressure and movement of USPSA. Steel challenge will definitely hone your draw technique and improve your target transitions. Falling steel such as pro-am has movement, but lots of target transitions as well.
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