TimR

I use an older model Blackhawk Omega with the wider straps, not the thinner molle/strike/pals. I'm a left hand pistol shooter and right hand rifle/shotgun shooter. I designed the load out to be as fast as IDPA gear but secure enough for 3gun. On the left hip I've got a millitary holster which will soon be replaced with a Safariland 6005. On the left lower part of the vest I've got two Ca. Comp. 4 shot shell strippers, above that I hang four ranger bands that hold four shot shells each. I load shotgun weak hand and all I have to do is pull my hand back and grap four off the vest....much faster than the shell strippers!! Right side of the vest I have two Tactical Taylor AR mag pouches mounted vertically, they have the shock cords that hold them in place which is fast enough to disengage but I usaully unstrap one for extra speed, again....very fast. On the front of the pistol belt I have an old millitary M16 mag pouch which is converted to a dump bag. The right side of the belt has four Tactical Taylor mag pouches, one is for top off, three I keep the velcro covers folded back for speed, they also have these plastic retention clips inside which work great from anything from a Sig, Glock to an STI/SV mag. This rig works extremely well for me for all three guns, being left hand pistol and right hand rifle/shotgun helps but other configurations are certainly doable. That's the great thing about these vest, you turn them into the Swiss Army Knife of your own liking. What I like about it: - Speed, I'm serious, the shot shells fly out of the bands and I would go head to head with any 3gun comp gear with this vest. (skill level being equal of coarse) - All the weight is off the hips, I usually unzip the vest and unbuckle the belt and it just hangs, all the weight on the shoulders. - Shooting pad on right shoulder which is nice for high round count shotgun stages using heavy loads. - Always ready for a stage, never have to change the load out. Easier to pack for a match too....vest, ammo, cart, guns...............car. - When the zombies come out of the ground I'll be ready. What I don't like: - Sometimes you do feel out of place wearing one. Even tactical matches these days, most guys wear comp. gear. Sorry for the long winded reply, hope this helps someone. Tim

I was able to shorten the handle on my 1050 a notch because it's so easy now. That alone speeds things up. My rounds are all checking out so I'm to the point where I'm no longer going to case/barrel check unless I'm shooting a major. Last weekend at our monthly local match I did have a FTF, the round looks fine and it's the first malfunction I've had with my Brazo......weird! Now if I can just figure out how to shoot Texas Stars (two back to back) I'll be fine. Tim

Larry, Glad you like your Magma, just imagine how much wear and tear you are saving on your 650. I took your advice and put the Redding seating die in. Come to find out I was using the wrong side of the Dillon seater and my bullets were in fact a bit crooked. At the beginning of last season I switched to Ranier RNFP and I thought it had the same profile. Live and learn. Tim

Larry, hope you enjoy this thing as much as I do. Their service appears to be great, I was missing the screw that holds the handle on and they promply mailed one out no questions asked. I actually have the Redding Comp. die but never tried it on the 1050. I'll have to give it a try. I was worried that the smaller throat would slow down the operation. DougC, the only thing better than a 1050 is two 1050s Guy, sorry I missed your article. I also looked at the CasePro, looks like a great unit. I was surprised to hear that it doesn't size the entire length. I would still like to see one in operation although it's going to be hard to impress me after using the Magma. Another two hundred flawless rounds today, I'm starting to like reloading again. Happy New Years to all Tim

The footprint on the bench is very small, I'll post some pics if anyone is interested. I'm relatively new to this forum, not sure if I even can. FYI, short of the casefeeder you can take a 1/2" copper pipe and extend the length of the feed tube. And don't forget to plan to drill a hole into your bench, the case literally goes all the way through the die and comes out the bottom. Hang a bucket underneath to catch the falling brass. Tim

My point on the case checking is this: some case checkers seem to be more forgiving then some of the tighter chambered race guns such as STIs or SVs. The acid test in my book is barrel checking but as stated in my original post, this appears to not be perfect either. After using the Magma they check perfect everytime, even spinning them while in the chamber. And I'm surprised to hear that Guy thinks this is slow. I run the Magma faster than I can pump out rounds on the 1050. My buddy also has his set up with the Dillon case feeder. Tim

I've been reloading .40 for IPSC and IDPA for years now and have had occasional problems with my reloads chambering. I barrel check all ammo before a match and recently discovered that while most of my rounds drop into the chamber with a nice "clink" that if I then rotate them 360 degrees that they will often hang up in the chamber. My guess is that if they are fed in that same orientation that they could jam. Well I broke down and got a Magma Casemaster Jr and all I can say is that this is awesome. Yes it does add an additional step but my ammo is now coming off the 1050 at 100%. Not only that but the 1050 runs smooth as silk with the presized brass, almost no effort on the downstroke. Basically this unit pushes the brass entirely through a Dillon sizing die (decap removed). It cleans up the rim as well. A buddy of mine has been using one for years and he has had perfect luck with it. Even the hard to size S&B stuff is not a challenge. So if you're tired of getting rejects due to bulged brass and the "U" die isn't cutting it or you simply want your progressive to run effortlessly you may want to give this thing a shot (pardon the pun). FYI: I have no business relationship with Magma or anyone else selling these. I now feel that no reloading bench is complete without it or a similar product like a roll sizer. Tim R.

Thanks Guys, I really appreaciate all the feedback. I've been shooting M16's/AR's for over twenty years, precision rifle for four years and IDPA and IPSC for about three years but this shotgun thing is brand new to me. I barely know one end of the gun from the other. I'm looking forward to learning the in's out's though. Thanks again and happy holidays! Tim PS: does anyone know where you can purchase 12ga dummys rounds to practice reloads? Not just snap caps but weighted lifelike dummies. Or is this somethings we have to make up on our own?

Thanks Mike, Any other words of advice you can offer on the X2. It looks like a great gun, not that the CM is anything to sneeze at either. Are they any easier/harder to clean or maintain....etc. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to all. Tim

I'm interested in purchasing a Win. SX2 and was wondering if there are shorter aftermarket stocks available. I emailed SpeedFeed but never got a reply. I'm 5'7" and prefer a shorter LOP on all my long guns. I'm new to shotgunning so if anyone has any other ideas please chime in. I was originally going to try to get my paws on a Remi CM but from what I've read on this forum it looks like the MK 1 may be slightly better quality. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Tim