tazshooter

I'm using 3n38 on .38SuperComp cases. I'm reloading .38Super. However, my charge is about 9.3 grains, which does not fill the case. Yet, I am using a Lee crimp and resizing die that tends to get the cartridge stuck on the way out. Therefore, I sometimes need to cycle the machine a bit hard to get the case out of the crimp die, but I have never seen powder leak out of any of the cases. Thanks, Chuck. I will on both the suggestion and the PS. Unfortunately I am still a bit new and I am trying to learn my way around.

Hope someone can help me. I own a Dillon RL550B reloader. I love this thing. With the exception of auto indexing it does the job. However, I have noticed that I get powder leakage from time to time and it is really annoying. Sometimes the powder gets on the primer punch and I will inadvertently make a dent on a primer. I have purchased and installed the arredondo powder bar on this thing and I still get leakage. What can I do to fix this problem?

Farewell Colonel Cooper. Thank you for all you have done for us throughout the years. I extend my condolences to all of his family and friends. We've lost a great man and teacher. Thanks again Colonel. May God keep you.

Why go through all the hazzel? Get a new barrel for it. $200 bucks and you are done. Then just shoot single stack with it. Get yourself some 8 round mags (about 4 at least), the mag holders for your belt and you are ready to go.

Thank you for the info. You've enlightened more than one person today. Thanks again !

I have had a RL550b for over 7 years. The machine performs just like the day I bought it. I'm thinking of buying a XL650 now, because I am reloading a lot more and the auto indexing feature really cuts down on the time. I'd buy a XL650 and don't look at anything else. I bought the RL550b, because at the time I reloaded for many calibers and the RL550b is quicker to change from caliber to caliber and it is substantially for me less expensive. However, the XL650 has more stations (thus it allows you to install a bullet feeder (i.e. take a look at the feeder on bulletfeeder.com; really cool)). You can also install a powder checker that many people like. If you are tight on money and you don't want to pay too much get the RL550b if you can spend a little more I recommend the XL650. Have fun and happy shooting. P.S. By the way my first machine was a Lee single stage machine that I loved for many years and still have (I don't use it), but the Dillon is far superior.

I'd still would have to explain myself, but I am in the 1st month stage. I would be going from a RL550b to either a XL650 or Super 1050. I will be in touch. I want to know how much you like yours!!! I nearly pissed my pants laughing. It's funny how anticipation to a good thing can get you to do the silliest of things. I'm happy for you. God willing I will have a nice little package under the tree for me this year.

If I use the dishwasher my wife will kick my ass with all of the verbage I have to hear afterwards. I guess you are not married. For a minute there I thought I was the only nut using degreaser to clean a gun. I must agree it works nice and you don't need much ventilation (i.e. you can do it in the garage, don't need to go outside)

I have seen stages like that where is not your usual stage with a thinking game attached. The stage is crap at a different level. On one occasion we sacrificed shooting the stage all together and had it torn down. The next time a stage is prepared speak to the powers at be at the match and offer your concerns. If this is done in a large enough group (i.e. more than 75% of the shooters think is crap), then they should tear down that stage and come up with something that is challenging, but that makes some sense. Happy shooting!

Many times I find myself going over the stage in my mind right before I shoot it. I picture myself shooting the stage. I mess up and let the stress get the best of me when I try to beat another time I heard mentioned earlier from another shooter shooting the same stage. Oh he or she did it in 19.47. I think I can do it in 17. Then when I shoot it I end up doing the stage in 30 something, because of the stress and lack of preparation. The stress is placed by you. If the stress is that bad of a condition for you, I suggest you don't drink coffee in the morning. That just adds more agitation to the equation. Possibly have a chamomile tea instead to calm you down. You are already exited about shooting in the first place. You don't need the coffee. If you like Starbucks they have the calm tea that works great. The best way to relieve stress is practice. Also, keep visual focus of what is going on during the stage while you are shooting it and forget about the time you are trying to beat. Focus on what you are doing and what your are supposed to do in the stage. We have a lot of creative thinkers out there coming up with great ideas for stages that love to mess with our heads. Keep an open mind, focus and enjoy the now time during the stage. Don't get consumed by the "what my score or time is going to be at the end". That will just mess with you. Try to challenge yourself, but don't overwhelm yourself with the challenge. Believe me the speed comes little by little. The more you practice and the more you shoot will work wonders. Happy shooting.

I know there are many out in the sport shooting 9mm major. However, I am having a hard time making major in 38 super with 115gr bullets. I guess to make major using a 9mm case you have to load something above a 124gr bullet and just dunk your cases in the powder until you fill them. Then again I have never loaded 9mm Major. From experience I am loading 38 super using 121gr Montana Gold with Vihta 3n38 at 10.3gr of powder and I am getting velocities in the range of 1,369, 1,373, 1,388, etc. Major velocities to reach a power factor of 165 with that bullet weight is 1,364. At 1,388 I am getting to a 167PF. That's borderline if you factor in any change in weather or altitude. Happy shooting.

Tim, I have been shooting for quite some time, but I have been shooting limited. I wanted to start shooting open, but everyone's advice was to do my research. Shoot a lot of guns from friends and see what you liked, what you don't like and then take the information you have to a competent gunsmith to build you what you want. Reliability is a dead given. If the gun does not function correctly each and every time you have a match, then you need to get that gun fixed to perform perfectly well each and every time. Thus, a brand new gun built by a gunsmith should perform well from the start. If after so many rounds you start getting malfunctions you should feel confident enough with the gunsmith to be able to give him or her (I don't know of any female gunsmith, but just in case) the gun and have it repaired to the original operating condition. I followed the advice and after knowing what I wanted I turned to Venry from Radical Precision. In addition to interpreting my interests he also provided me the feedback I needed to build the gun and also the types of loads to put through it. He gave me 2 springs for different loads. He advised me on certain things that I was looking for and the best way to accomplish those interests. Venry is a person that will work with you. I approached him with a shopping list of parts and we went over these parts with scrutiny to understand what benefits they offered and if they were worthwhile getting. After putting our heads together we agreed on some of the parts, and disagreed on others, but he respected my wishes and interests and put them on the gun anyway. When it came to the barrel and the compensator he worked wonders. Depending on what you want the gun to do and how you want it to feel in your hands he will tune the gun to your wishes and needs. The gun performs flawlessly. Prior to finishing the gun he gave it to me to try just in case it required something final tuning or adjustment. I shot some 300 – 400 rounds through it. I kept on looking for something to change, but there was nothing. The gun was light like I like them, he fitted the parts so the grip will hold high, the accuracy is superb, I looked, but I didn’t find anything really that I cared to change. He interpreted my wishes and the gun performs beautifully. I gave the gun back to him and he finished it in no time. My suggestion is that if you are drooling over what you saw on the website, you need to call him so you can drool over actually firing one of his works of art. By the way in the process of researching my gun I shot the blue gripped one you saw on the website. That gun is awesome, but I like mine better. Happy Shooting!!!!

I know this is a little late for congratulations, but it makes me super happy to finally see a sports center from one of the news channels reporting a positive piece on our sport. The made this piece so positive that I am in shock (but definetely happy). Congratulations BJ! You are the first to place our sport in a positive limelight. I wish for other TV stations to do the same.

I have used Lee dies and RCBS dies in my RL550b. They work great. I opted to buy Dillon dies for the first time about a month ago in .38 super just to try them. They work really nice too. I guess if you don't want to spend the money go with Lee. Their crimp dies are great. However, I must also insist on using Dillon's rings. Happy shooting.

Erick that looks pretty cool for a Glock. Yet, though I use Glock for my daily carry I like the old 1911 model or 2011 as in this case for competition. The system I use or have been actually testing because is not yet completed was built by Venri d'Aiguillon from Radical Precision Design. He gave me the gun for about 2 weeks to test it and provide feedback in the event that I were to want something changed before he finished it. Yet, I loved it so much that I had to take pictures of it and share. The gun is a shorty. However, the gun shoots and feels like all the full size comp guns I have fired. The design is unique and works very efficiently. I loaded some rounds for it before Venri gave it to me try in 115 grain and 121 grain using Vihta 3n37 (still pending to try 3n38) and the gun shot and cycled flawlessly. Like a kid I reluctantly had to give the gun back to Venri for it to be finished, but I am dying to get it back. I told Venri not to change anything it is awesome as is. Here are some picks. Take care and happy shooting.