dsu96

I see the same thing, and I'm on the website directly (not through tapatalk). I can reply to regular classified ads, but can't reply to posts in the non-dealer brass section. I understand the 50 count rule to apply to new posts only, not replies?

After plunk testing, also check to make sure the OAL will work in your mags. My XDM would plunk test successfully at 1.15+ (and longer) but my mags limited me to an OAL of 1.145. I now load to 1.135 OAL for a slight margin of error.

What happened at Area 3?

Take it for what it's worth, but my WST for 200 gr Xtreme RNFP plated is 4.3 gr of WST at 1.135" OAL out of an XDM 5.25 .40. PF ~ 170 IIRC. Been a while since I've chrono'd it.

Rarely drop an empty mag. If I do, it's likely because I forgot to reload before I went to slide lock.

I recently purchased the Dawson extended capacity basepads and Grams guts for my XDM .40 mags. On the XDM mags, there's a little indentation on the front of the mag at the bottom. With stock parts, this isn't a problem and doesn't interfere with anything. However, I'm thinking I need to grind this indentation away in order to use the Dawson base pads...not wanting the follower to get hung up on it. At one time, I thought I read a post (either here or somewhere else) that indicated they had to grind the indentation down...but I can't seem to find it. I did load the mag up with 20 rounds, and was able to manually strip a round at a time from the mag without any hangups....but have yet to run a full mag through the gun. Anyone have any experience with this setup that could advise me as to whether I need to grind that indentation down or not? TIA.

I thought about getting something like that (not those specific pouches, but other pouches off ebay). The risk/reward wasn't there for me...I wound up buying name-brand pouches.

I use Dry Hands as well. Found that it can leave a white residue behind on clothing if you don't let your hands dry for a minute or 2 after applying. Other than that, very happy with it.

I just ask the RO to catch it...

My perspective is that it all depends upon the usage. If I'm going to be using the gear day in and day out, with practice sessions and multiple matches per month, then I would "buy once, cry once". If I'm going to be an "occasional" user of the gear, then I may either buy stuff that's a little less expensive, or I buy in phases to make sure I'm actually going to need/use the gear. My personal story is this: I bought a new blaster earlier this year, and have been looking to upgrade my holster and mag pouches. While I really wanted a DAA racer holster, I couldn't justify the cost based on 1) my anticipated usage, and 2) the marginal increase in benefit that it MAY provide to me. I opted to go with a less expensive, but still good quality, Bladetech holster with a BOSS DOH hanger. While it may not be the fanciest or the flashiest, it gets the job done. I haven't bought mag pouches yet (still using the factory double-mag pouches from Springfield)...but when I do, I'm likely to purchase the Ghost 360 pouches vs. the DAA pouches. Again...for my anticipated usage, the less expensive Ghost pouches should provide me with everything I need.

As the shooter before me is being scored: - mentally review stage plan, including reload spots - depending upon the stage's starting area, simulate the start (turn, fake draw, stand from a sitting position, etc.) - check magazines and seating in pouches - put in a piece of gum if not already chewing one (just superstitious I guess?) After range is clear, but before make ready: - breathe - final adjustment of belt, pouches, cap, glasses, etc. - stand near shooting area, but not IN shooting area (just a mental check for me) - keep ears off (I plug and wear muffs...plugs are in, but muffs are off) At make ready: - put ears on - step into starting area - make gun ready per WSB (hot/holster, on table, whatever the WSB says) - deep breath - one last visualization of the stage, particularly the start At Standby: - breathe - think SAFETY At beep: - execute SAFELY

My first few "solo" matches (without a buddy guiding me), I took a notebook and pen to each stage during a pre-match walkthrough. I would walk the stage several times, making notes, then actually wrote down my stage plan. Then I moved to the next stage and did the same. During the match, I would review my written stage plan during the 5-minute walk-through before the squad started shooting. Some times my plan matched up with how others shot the stage...other times it didn't. But, I stuck to my plan rather than trying to change things up at the last minute. After getting a few more matches under my belt, I no longer write down my stage plan, unless it involves several memory-type shots....then it's simply "shoot 5 targets at this area, 4 targets here, 2 here, etc.". I've always been a fan of "plan the work, then work the plan".

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Thanks for clarifying!

If the tire stage was "against the rules" per se, what about the stage where you sat on a tractor? Would that be considered "a box" then too, where the shooting area was defined? Just trying to understand the differences...

I find that during a match, my first couple of stages aren't as smooth as the remaining stages. I.E. I "get better" over the course of the match. I don't think it's due to nervousness...but more so just getting into a rhythm of sorts. I think that I need to find a spot before the match where I can possibly do some drills or some live fire just to knock the rust off. Anyone else feel the same?

If it's the first time you've downloaded an app on your Android phone, Google wants to set up your "Play Store" profile so that you can easily and seamlessly buy apps or make "in app" purchases. If the app you're trying to download is free, you don't need to supply this information. On my dad's android phone, I haven't provided this info, yet he and I are still able to download free apps just fine.

I think I'd just take the penalties if I ran across that.

This is what I use. The folding table on the back is sturdy enough to use it to load mags. I carry my range bag, soft-sided cooler, and a small compact folding chair, with a little room to spare. I've also recently outfitted the wagon with a shade umbrella just big enough to provide a little shade to sit under. https://www.samsclub.com/sams/blue-wagon-16-folding-w-table/prod20071140.ip?xid=plp:product:1:1

I haven't switched to electronic muffs yet, but I double-up on ear protection anyway. Soft rubber plugs are put in the moment the shooter's briefing is over with. They stay in for most of the duration of the match. Then, I'll put muffs on when it's my turn to shoot, or when I know there's a loud Open gun about to roll...

Don't forget when determining OAL to check the round in your mags as well. On my XDM 5.25", I could plunk/spin a round with 1.150" OAL all day, but the round wouldn't fit in my mag. Longest OAL I could run through my mags is 1.145". However, I load to 1.135" OAL so that the occasional "long load" will still run in my mags.

Here's my take: I started USPSA a couple of years ago, shooting in just a very few matches (1x/year) -- basically at the encouragement of my brother. At the time, I was using my EDC, which is an XDM 3.8" Compact in .40. Last year, I shot a few more matches, enough to know I wanted to shoot more. However, I felt as though my gun was holding me back in the division I wanted to shoot (Limited). Short sight radius, heavy trigger, limited upgrade options, etc...I felt the gun was holding me back, in addition to my lack of skills. I made up my mind (at the time) that I wanted to go "all in" and get a top-of-the-line STI to drive instead. But -- common sense set it and I realized that my skills wouldn't be "worthy" of the gun....so I took a step back and re-evaluated. Instead, I chose to stick with the XDM platform and bumped up to the 5.25" in .40. I'm able to reuse most of my gear (magazines, reloading equipment, etc.) as well as use some aftermarket upgrades. In my first match with the new gear, I saw a 20%+ increase in match points. YMMV, but in my case going from a compact model to a full frame model made a big difference to me. Now, would I see the same level of increase going from my current 5.25" to an STI -- absolutely not. Would I have seen a benefit going from the 3.8" to an STI --- most likely....but my wallet would've been a lot lighter too!

New shooter here...what's the difference between a memory stage and a "regular" stage? Having to do stuff like a mandatory reload at a specific point, or only shoot paper 1x (or 3x), or ???

R1 - I have the same press and have had the same thoughts as you. However, with a little patience, the LnL should serve you just fine. Check out my thread here about the LnL AP ---> Then go on youtube and check out all of 76HighBoy's videos on the LnL AP...he has a ton of useful videos out there specifically for that press.

* Make sure everything is solidly secured. Like other people mentioned, if there's any movement to the press, it can throw your measurements off (OAL, powder, etc.). * I have the same gun as you (only with a few aftermarket goodies). I've only used WST for powder. I load 4.3 gr of WST with a 200 gr RNFP plated bullet from Xtreme. 1.135" OAL. The factory mags that I have will all accept 1.140" OAL, as will my barrel, but I dropped back to 1.135" in case I get an occasional round that measures longer (for whatever reason). * the "load 10 at a time" is a good place to start for both developing new loads as well as just getting started. I'm also new to reloading, so when I make some sort of change to my press (like tearing it apart for cleaning) I like to load a few, then check OAL, plunk test, crimp, etc. to help make sure I don't wind up with a whole batch of ammo that's jacked up. I'll even work in small batches (10 or so) when I first start out during a loading session, just in case the press got bumped or something. Again -- trying to avoid a bunch of rounds that don't work.