TonyT

The W-W nickel cases will provide the tightest fit in Ranch Products moonclips . Starline brass is much too loose in Ranch moonclips for completion use. The Remington and Federal both nickel and brass cases as well as W-W brass are also usable in the Ranch products moonclips. There are also some minor brands which do not have a groove cut at the base of the case and will not work with any moonclip. I use Ranch Products moonclips exclusively in 38 super, 38 Special, 40 S&W and 45 ACP.

The long grain extruded powders for use in rifles do not meter very uniformly in Dillon measure - for that matter they are not the most uniform metering powders in any measure. Stick with the ball and flake powders and you will not have any powder measure uniformity issues. The ball powders have a reputation for uniform metering. In pistol ammo I have used the following powders with my Dillon 550 and obtained excellent uniformity - W-231, WST, WSF, VV N-310, VV N-320, Bullseye, Red Dot, HS-700X, Trail Boss, PB, Power Pistol, SR-7625.

I have used E3 with a 185 gr. LSWC for a bullseye pistol load at ca 740 fps. Soft shooting and accurate load. I have never tried E3 in 40 S&W since it's a bit faster burning than Clays.

A lot of fast shotgun pwders can be used in 45 ACP with lead bullets. I shoot a 185 gr. LSWC at between 720 and 800 fps and have used Alliant E3, WAA Lite, PROMO (Red Dot).

The Hodgdon website should have data for Clays with 230 gr. lead bullets. I have only used Clays for mild bullseye pistol loads with the 200 gr. Speer LSWC bullet at ca 720 fps.

I use once fired 40 S&W brass picked up from LEO's who fire Glocks. They function in my STI Trojan. As a matter of policy I scrap brass from the high pressure cartridges (9mm, 40 S&W) after four reloads. In the low presuure cartridges (38 Special, 45 ACP) I tend to use the brass until I detect fraying at the neck.

I have been using WST for very mild loads in 40 S&W and 45 ACP for many yeras and have not seen any differences in velocity over the years. For full power loadss in 40 S&W I prefer the slower burning powders such as WSF.

gregshin, What was the velocity of your loads? I have not used W-231 re=cently but I push the 124 gr. plated bullets at ca 1050 fps with WSF or Bullseye. You should be able to do the same using W-231.

My first choice is the Dan Wesson PM-9 although the STI Troijan would be acceptable. I had a Springfield Target 9mm which was very reliable but would not "group" better than ca. 5 inches at 25 yards. I sold it and purchased a DW PM-9 - 1 inch groups at that same distance. A fellow shooter has a STI Trojan which is slightly less accurate.

158 gr. Berry's with 3.2 gr. Trail Boss or a 158 gr. LRN with 2.8 gr. Trail Boss have always knocked down the poppers for me. Both a very light loads.

I carried a Glock-36 for several years. When I purchased it that was the only real compact carry 45ACP available. Today you also have the Kahr and SA XD pistols to evaluate. My G-36 was totally reliable and readilly controlable. I finally opted for pocket carry of a Kahr PM-9 since I could not reliably conceal the G-36 under all situations. I still have the G-36 by my bedside or in the car..

The Dillon dies are a plus when usng lead bullets as one can readilly take the seating stem out for cleaning lube debris without disturbing die alignment.

The Ds-10 is a great product. I have both the original version and Dave's improved version. The improved version holds the cartridges a bit less firmly than the original version - both work well for me. I also have Dave's 6 shot version for use with an old K-22.

I use the Hoeppner & Schumann Speed Sec holster which is sold by Competitive Edge Dynamics. It fits all calibers of K, L and N frames very solidly and only uses the trigger guard for lockup.

I wish you were closer so I could con you into doing the same for me. I do not a have a fondness for the underlug. I shoot an old K-22 in 6 inch and enjoy the benefits of the longer sight radius but a 6 inch 617 is too muzzle heavy for me.

I had a similar experience with light primer strikes and ignition failures in my 617. I found it was a broken firing pin.

The answer is No. Why would you want to change? I have 9mm, and 40's with both style barrel ramps and they all function reliably.

L| The last one I purchased was from Competitive Edge Dynamics about 18 months ago. I wanted a spare in case they ever discontinued the product. I also have one for my 1911 and for a Sig 226.

I have interchanged Hogue wood grips on several modern round butt N-framed revolvers. They all fit the same.

I use the SDM gold bead front sight on my 27 and have developed a real fondness for it. It's rugged and easilly seen under differing light conditiopns.

Also from a practical side it is easier to see the powder drop in the shorter 38 Special case.

I had a supply of357 Magnum brass which I load for steel challenge matches since reloads are not an issue. For games in which reloads count then the shorter 38 Special case is an advantage. I only shoot minor through my 627. With lead and plated 158 gr. RN bullets I use Trail Boss powder.

The tightness of the fit depends as much on the brass used as well as the moonclips. I use the inexpensive moonclips from Ranch Products which provide a very tight fit with W-W nickeled brass, tight fit with W-W brass, a medidum tightness with Federal and R-P brass and a very loose and sloppy fit with Starline brass.

Forgot to mention the Hoeppner & Schumann Speed Sec holster can be used with a K. L or N framed revolver in any caliber, including 22LR. The Speed Sec does nothave a pportrusion for the barrel. It only holds using the trigger guard - very securely.

I use the DS-K6 speedloader with my older K-22. It's so much simpler to laod six rounds inthe cylinder.