practical_man

This is excellent advice. 1 ounce loads are perfect for most shotgun sports. I shoot a bunch of 3/4 and 7/8 ounce 12 gauge loads and do just as well as I do with full loads. I have little trouble hitting 95% of skeet targets with my 870. Doubles are actually easier for me because you don't have much time to think about it and ride he bird too long. You will do very well with your shotgun. Get an inexpensive shell pouch, a case of shells and some good instruction. Most clubs have excellent instruction at low or no cost for new shooters. Money spent of coaching is well worth it. -John

Absolutely! If I could only have one powder 231 would be it. There is always a jug of it under my bench despite my constant tinkering with other powders trying to find something that works better. Clays is excellent in 45. I use a lot if it in 45 ACP -and 12 gauge. Universal is good in both 9mm and 45. Also excellent for 20 gauge and 28 gauge. I use a fair amount of this too. Don't overlook good old Bullseye in 9 and 45. It works very well in both. Also another powder I like to keep on the shelf. But if I could only have one pistol powder it would be 231 to cover all cartridges.

As JPB said, my blue label guns have the 5.5 connector. I do like the combination of the NY1 plastic spring (with the metal spring removed) and the "-" connector. Very firm reset and consistent feel to the trigger.

I have used slide mounted optics on my 45 wad guns for a long time. They work fine if you can get used to the entire dot moving. Hard to shoot at speed that way but it can be done.

Based in your description, I would polish the plunger face and the aft end of the slide stop. If that doesn't work, check to see if it works without the plunger installed. If so, reduce tension on plunger-slide stop interface.

Thanks to everyone. My Starline is a mix of older an newer production. I'm sure Hearthco will help.

What is the proper thickness moon clip for Starline 38 Special brass? Revo is a 627 I have a bunch of Ranch moons for my 627. They work ok with Win brass but I have far more Starline brass. The Ranch clips are too thin to work well with Starline. So it's about time to pay the piper and get the proper moons. Thanks for your thoughts.

Can't say about MG, but I really like the Nosler 185 JHP. Exceptionally accurate at 50 yds. A little spendy but worth it if you want accuracy. I mostly use Clays in the 45 now but you can make a fine load with 231. I really like 231 as an all around powder. -John

I use a mill bastard file followed with dremel and then fine sandpaper backed with a block. Same technique I use for hogue monogrips. It isn't difficult at all. Like other things, you might be nervous your first time but you will still enjoy the outcome

Oops. Double tap.

Any good K frame kydex will be fine. I have blade tech and comptac both work fine. Comptac is probably slightly better made. Speed loaders. Get the Jet loaders and be happy. They are well worth the extra couple of dollars for each one. Google bubberizing to see a popular modification of speed loaders. I have 8 of these and an equal number of Safariland comp 3s. Comp 3s rarely come out of the bag. Grips. I use the cheap hogue monogrip. They are less than $20 so I don't mind taking the dremel to them till they fit. Second choice is the hogue big butt grips, but I don't think they give much advantage in the 38. They do help with the 45. I do lot care for the Michulek smooth grip. Haven't tried the checkered ones and probably won't because I don't care for how they feel. Preference thing. Run what ya got for now. Try other people's stuff when you can. To get better faster, dry fire and Spend money on practice ammo and match fees

Dog tired I think your question was about zero distance. I am increasingly a fan of the 100 yard zero, despite a couple of decades doing it the "army way" with the 300 meter zero. 100 yard zero seems to keep the holds within a pie plate at the distances I shoot. Makes it easier to remember how to hold. For service rifle competition I still zero at 200 and count clicks as we move back. Different games require different approaches.

Zoomy I am in the same boat with you. I went with a single Vision prescription. Bifocals did NOT work for me. My prescription is set for "computer" distance, which generally coincides with front sight post. I occlude the non shooting eye. Works well for me. I like an amber or light purple lens, but that's probably a holdover from skeet shooting. In truth, I usually just use clear lenses. You will have to educate your optometrist. Here is a link to some good articles by dr Norman Wong, an optometrist and accomplished shooter. http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/nwongarts.html. They are not difficult to read. Some have been published in shooting sports USA. I tried distance lens in non shooting eye and front sight focal length in shooting eye. Those glasses have me a tremendous headache. Hope this helps -john

Thanks Jeremy! An inexpensive option for sure. It's starting to look like powder measures are like holsters....none are perfect for everything and you are going to accumulate a box of them:)

Rigger Thanks. I might try the RCBS linkage with my old reliable Redding #3 measure from my single stage loading set up. Shouldn't cost much to try it out. What pieces do I need to set it up?

Thanks. I hadn't considered this as an option. Very interesting. Is it difficult to adjust for different powder charges, ie from .223 to .308?

I have used kegs of titewad in 12 gauge. I don't use it in pistol cartridges on advice from Hodgdon. -John

I think I need a different powder measure for Varget. The stock Dillon measure doesn't work well with Varget at all, tho it does work well with a host of other powders. I am considering the Hornady measure with the auto drop adapter. Has anyone done this mod with a 550? How does it work and what parts are needed to make it work. Thanks -john

Lots of good advise here. Shoot other people's guns so you know what you like. Buy a quality used gun from a shotgun shooter - most keep them in good working order and many trade guns often. The beretta 391 is a fine gun. I had one for a while and sold it because I got tired of picking my hulls up out of the mud or snow. Back to the Citori for me. Different games require different guns. My trap gun is very different from my skeet gun. I shoot sporting clay and 5 stand with an 870. Whatever you do, spend some time nd money getting the gun properly fitted to you. Most clubs have. Guy or two that can do this for you. A 4 way adjustable comb stock helps a bunch. Don't be shy about shooting the gun at a pattern board before you buy used. You want to know where it shoots for you nd what the pattern looks like. Too many new shooters overlook this important step. Don't overlook the lowly pump gun. You can do a lot worse than with an ordinary 870 with interchangeable chokes. Stocks are cheap so you won't mind filing on it to make it fit - and fit is parmount with shotguns. You can learn to shoot one fast and well. I break doubles easily with mine. Recoil isn't bad esp if you hand load. For casual leagues I shoot a 7/8 ounce 1200 fps load from my 12 gauge and it breaks birds wih authority. Some does the new 3/4 ounce Claybuster 12 gauge wad loaded to same velocity. Research much, shoot lots of different guns before you buy, and enjoy. -John

I am viewing the forum using Safari on an iPhone 5. Works fine. I tried Tapalk without much improvement. I am happy with the software already on the phone. -John

Stoeger will likely not stand up to serious league shooting which involves a few thousand rounds per season. I have a Stoeger SxS for cowboy shooting. A box of 25 shells will usually get me thru a couple matches. That gun is relatively soft steel. Even with low round count firing pin bushings have been replaced, hinge and lock adjusted to account for peening wear. Stoegers are fine for occassional use. I think you would be money ahead to buy a used browning or beretta if you are going to do much club shooting. -John

Titewad will get you there. Slightly less powder than clays. I use it for trap, skeet, and 5 stand. Cheap too.

Balmo Lots of good advice here. Tooth guy and Alecmc are spot on for USPSA. bottom line for me is that shooting is a hobby. I do it because I enjoy it. I shoot revos and bottom feeders is all kinds of disciplines. I am ranked better in some sports than others. I really like revolvers so I shoot them more now. I am not worried about winning or even being competitive. I have a GP100 that is unusually accurate. I use it to chase distinguished revolver points. It is fun to shoot because it shoots well. That said, the trigger leaves a lot to be desired and the mechanics of how rugers work really limit what can be done with them. Some magicians like Ron Power can get them close to a Smith & Wesson bit not easily. If you want to be competitive in Revo you are better off with a Smith & Wesson simply because the actions can be made so much smoother and lighter. 625s dominate USPSA for now. 686s and 627s are also popular and useful for other sports too. I no longer shoot IDPA so the 4" barrel limit isn't a concern for me. I like longer revo barrels. So if you have a GP100 shoot it and enjoy. Spend your money on hand loading equipment and practice ammunition. If you find your skill exceed the revolvers capabilities, good for you and by all means switch to a different platform. If joy, shoot the heck out of your GP100 because it is built like a tank and will last forever. Shoot what you like and enjoy. Life is too short to do what other people think is right. Do what you like and have fun. Last point. Go shoot all the matches and leagues you can. Other shooters will let you try their rigs and show you the tricks of the trade. It can be hard to get to matches, ESP if you have small children or work crazy hours. I think it is worth the time even if only one a month. You meet good people and learn a bunch. Hope this helps in your decision. -John

Simple but not easy. Interesting technique. Some relaxation benefit too.

I recently pix $700 for a 5" 625 in good shape wih the usual mods done. They are out there for less if you look around. Don't get in a hurry. I agree with the comments on the PC guns. None I have seen justified the additional cost. They are no better than standard production, except the cosmetic differences. My new favorite is a 627. Still trying to find the perfect moon clips for Starline. Eventually I just bite the bullet and be Hearthco. There doesn't seem to be a better mousetrap. I have he Ranch products clips for 38 and they are quite loose. The Ranch clips for 45 work fine.