It will shoot SO MUCH better with the altamonts! Not to mention look better. When I bought my 649 the smith grips were horrible! I hated the way it shot. I ponied up for some hardwood checkered hogues and I was popping 6" groups at 50 yards. Grips are as important to a pistol as optics to a rifle.

Nice pistol! Now check your email!

Strange, I read this post a lot and it has become one of my favorite. Today I flipped to the last page and saw that awesome .357 and found myself checking if I was in the correct forum. Nice to see some classic tool pictures in this forum.

My hat is surely off to you if you are getting 6" groups at 50yds with that beautiful gun. And it does give me something to strive for with my Pre-27 and its 6" barrel.

Returning for a moment to the thread.....my LnL press arrived so I am running out of excuses not to start reloading!

Sorry for the diversion. I do try and stay on topic but since we were talking grips..... It just came out!

My shooting isn't always that good but when we range qualified at 50 yards all were within a group smaller than a paper plate with 2 outliers I think. I'm not a ragged hole guy. Don't shoot much from the bench. Almost always standing or kneeling. My goal is always to put as many shots into a "paper plate" as possible. I figure if I HAD TO that's critical area of the chest. I'm sure there are MANY MANY shooters out there who could put me to shame but for a self taught shooter since a kid with a BB gun I do pretty well for myself. It always came to me very naturally. Right now I want to focus on more combat style point shooting techniques. Anyone check out the DVD the NRA sent members? It's excellent!

Did you ever see that guy repetitively hitting a cowbell at 80 yards with a Glock 19?? That's freaking amazing shooting right there!! It's on YouTube.

.....sorry guys......back to reloading!!

I did! Thank you sir!!

I found a new (to me) vendor that had some of Alliant's new Power Pro 1200-R powder so I ordered a keg and cancelled my order for the multiple 1# cans Alliant powder from Grafs.

Having just one additional powder to experiment with should make my range time less chaotic.

And I took my son to the indoor pistol range this morning and did well enough to keep him impressed with his dad behind a pistol.

I made myself an aperture out of a clip-on bicycle rear view mirror (sans mirror of course ). It made all the difference in being able to keep both sights and the target in focus at 20 yards.

And my home-made brass catcher did it's job when my AMT Hardballer or Sig 229 decided to eject cases out to the right rather than straight up and behind.

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- Bill

Well, apparently there are still places that ship reloading components quickly. My bullet order from Natchez shipped the next day. And my order from Midsouth shipped in two days.

Graf's is quoting up to a six week delay to ship hazmat orders.That gives the consumer a lot of time to shop around.

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- Bill

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Anyone know what that noise is? Bill?........ Hint: Lyman 1200, walnut media and about 50 or so .308 brass!

Press is set up and I'm working through all the various adjustments and stuff. Was thankful I didn't have any case lube because it would force me to go over and over things again. But then I found my RCBS lube kit was in a UPS box that I hadn't opened. Could be a late night with my new toys.

Bill, I do believe that I would like to take the drive up your way to fire my first rounds from my setup. At least I can have a witness so Grover will believe me.

That's great news, Scott. Now lose some ZZZZs from your last post so my browser can fit the thread window! hahaha

I was planning on making my next trip up to Chabot on Friday morning (a lot less crowded Fri and Mon), but if you can't make it on a weekday I can do an early weekend day.

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- Bill

brassmanbrass.com has once-fired 223 brass in stock. Prices range from $55/500 mixed headstamps to $179/1500 Winchester headstamped. Amusingly this last price is listed as their "best value" since it's $1 less than buying three of the 500 piece bags for $60 each.

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- Bill

Gotta head to Cabela's today and Pick up my 9mm I ordered

Then ill do my LGS Run and see what kinda of Stuff I can find for .357 or 9mm Loading..

Looking to get another Loader... Debate is between the Dillon or hornady LNL....
Really Like my Lee Pro 1000... but may be time to Step up to a better Rig... Or... i may just get another Lee


we shall see i guess...

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--Stav--

That sweet .357 earlier in this thread has stuck in my mind. So here is mine (hijacking the thread shamelessly). This particular tool is the reason I am part of this board....back to reloading and pardon the transgression

Stavman....stay tuned as I'm trying out the LnL. My "advisor" has Dillon 550s. Once I get up and running he will come over to compare. He has been doing this for 40 years so I trust his opinion.

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Hey, Scott. Is that a M28? I had one back in the early 80s. It's the one in the middle...



...it's flanked on the left by a 6" nickle M29-2, and on the right by a 6" 22 LR Colt Diamondback.

Sadly I sold all three back in '82 to make a down payment on a car. They were the last guns I ever sold.

I did replace the M29 with a 29-3 in '85 which I still have today...



But I do wish I still had that Diamondback...even if it did have a weak hammer spring and misfired regularly.

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- Bill

Bill....Pre-27, 6.5" barrel, circa 1953ish (haven't had the paper on it done yet).

Since we are SHARING

this is my Model 19-3 1960's .357

My 1st Gun I ever purchased..... then my 30-06... and 15yrs later.... well..... a LOT more...LOL


Love this gun.. and it makes a BIG BANG when ya pull the trigger....

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--Stav--

The first gun I ever bought was a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Mag. I fired it once and immediately looked for someone to sell it to.

But the next gun I bought was the M29 so it wasn't the caliber, just the ergonomics of a single action revolver that didn't work for me.

I didn't buy my first rifle until I got the 15-22 in 2010.

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- Bill

Ya my .357 was Insane at 1st...

It wasnt until 2 years ago I found out i could shoot .38S rounds in it... made it Fun again... but NOW... I love the BIG BANG again...

I found some PMC 158gr JSP that are AWESOME!!!! cabelas had em so snagged 5 boxes for like $18.99... and this was only 3 weeks ago...

I actualy got some .357 lead today at cabela's... in preperation for re-loading.... some SJHP and some LSWC... so those should be fun as well

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--Stav--

Stav,
Have you looked at Missouri Bullets for cast lead bullets? They have hard (18 brinell) and cowboy load (12 brinell) bullets. But I've shot the 12 brinell at magnum velocities with minimal leading in my Winchester 1892.

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- Bill

NICE!!!

Always like a NEW Vendor for my Toys


Just sat down and Busted out 105 .223 Rounds.. maybe took me 20minutes ish.... only have about 125 more de-Primed Brass, gunna do those..... Then time ta de-prime and Clean a BUNCH more...


Really do wanna get a New System with Brass and Bullet feeder... but $1000+ is a LOT of Money.... the Lee Pro 1000 at $179.99 is so cheap.... and works great...

Even a Hornady LNL at $449 PLUS Die's and Plate is over $600 said and Done.... i could have 3 Lee pro's

Ok so I could do Like 500rds or More with a Hornady or Dillon... heck I can do EASY 300/hr Now with my Lee

But Honestly I cant sit for an hour and do a repetitive Motion Like that... Not in my Mental Makeup...LOL.. usualy.. 20 minutes... prep.. Change Tunes... Adult beverage... and Repeat...

So think i just answered my dilemma.....LOL


I can say this.... Shooting and re-Loading has exploded into a lot of Fun and relaxation for me...

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--Stav--

I sure do hate to interupt this love-our-first-guns-and-SW-pistols-especially discussion but I have an announcement to make!

(clears throat....tap...tap...tap...is this mic on?) Ok, I hereby declare I am a reloader. I just ran my first 20 rounds through the new press and I will shoot them tomorrow morning.

And in honor of Mr. "if you don't have pics it didn't happen" Marine.....

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Very nice, Scott. Don't blow yourself up tomorrow and we won't call the fire marshall about you blocking the door with your reloading bench. hahahaha.

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- Bill

ATTA BOY!!!!!!!


How did ya Like the LNL?


How is it to Load the Primers in the Tube?


Reviews Reviews!!!!!

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--Stav--

I have a thread going in the reloading forum called zero to shooting newbie saga or something like that. I put some more detail in there because after all this is the M&P forum.

But....I don't have any comparison history to fall back on because this is my first reloader. But if it sure seems pretty sweet to me.

Since I have already started the list of things I have to buy after I bought the last thing...ahem...cough cough.... a primer tray is the top of the list. Chasing them little suckers around my table and trying to turn them shiny side up was the funniest part of my day. Seems they don't like to sit that way. Once I surrounded them and beat them into submission using the pickup tube and the primer loader of the LnL was cool and without issue.

Scott, There is no mercy shown here. I honestly had to go back and look at the pic again because I was fixated on the press! I was going to go that route but my neighbor gave me two single stage reloaders-lee and a rcbs. So I went that route instead. I really enjoy reloading so I am in no hurry. But I admit to drooling over the press.

Ok I know I havent been around much but I am still around!! I read a news report this evening that brought to light that a lot of military bases are starting to deform (grind up) their brass casings and selling it as scrap instead of selling the to the civilian market to use in reloading. Just thought I would tell you about it, it seems that Oregon National Guard is leading the way in this. The funds used to go into a health and welfare fund for like USO shows. They are not exactly sure where this money now goes or for what purpose.

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Grover Oathkeeper

So I guess should have ordered more brass from brassmanbrass.com last night since it's all gone now.

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- Bill

Dang! I almost turned this into a .357 thread! LOL I all transgress once more and say a 7 shot model 686 with a 6" barrel is on my dream list!!!

.....BACK to reloading!

Well I am back from the range. No, nothing blew up and I am so happy with the way things went.

I will be posting a much longer post on the reloading forum "zero to shooting...a newbie saga".

The topic of this thread started out asking a question "To reload or not". Well in my case the jury is in and the verdict is HELL YES. I would highly recommend taking the plunge for various reasons on many levels.

First, if you were ever in doubt about the benefits of consistent rounds which you, not a factory, control are amazing. In my case I was becoming frustrated by inconsistent groups thinking it was all me. So I bought a pellet gun and worked on my technique. Still, at the range things were not what I expected. I was using various factory rounds and in my thinking I expected some consistency but wasn't getting it. Now I know why. My advice, don't get frustrated unless you are using top line factory rounds.....or reload. The difference surprised me (pics will be posted on the reloading forum thread).

Second, the mental part of this where you take a pile of purchased parts, a bunch of tools, and put everything together and it works better than expected is a real rush and the feeling of personal satisfaction cannot be overlooked

Third, It steps up commitment to this hobby and takes it to the next level. All the details that go into this made today's trip to the range so much more than simply putting holes in paper.

Lastly, there is a huge mental trip that I went through today when I loaded up my first reload. I zeroed the scope using factory rounds at the 50yd and moved over to the 100. 5 rounds in one target using factory loads and then the moment of truth. I will never forget my thought process as it chambered and I was looking down range through the scope trying to control my breathing and thinking. That first shot was truly a combination of relief, excitment, and giddiness. After the second shot I just sat there and laughed at myself.

Anyway, if you are thinking about reloading and you are committed to this hobby go for it!

Scott, good to hear you have seen the light and kept you sight.

Nothing quite like firing off your first reload and punching a clean hole in in the target...knowing that you will take that empty case and rebuild it for another day at the range.

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- Bill

Not to mention squeezing the second,third,forth and fifth. Each shot touching the next as it hits the target and knowing you made all that happen from a little corner you call your reloading "station".

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I remember my 1st round i LOBBED..... was Hella nervous myself...LOL


Its a Very rewarding aspect of our Hobby for sure..... Loading.. testing... re-Testing.....

Confidence and technique will grow as you get your Comfort level higher...

Enjoy.. have fun... be safe

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--Stav--

They tried doing that about 20 years ago. The scrap market took a dive and they quit,found out they got a better bang for the $$$ selling it to us instead. We'll see how long it lasts this time around.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

But the last time they did it was there an administration in office hell bent on disarming the civilian population?

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- Bill

Molon Labe.

Yup. Them there fools have always been around trying to sneak something under the table since the 2nd Ammendment was wrote.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

they do seem to be hell bent on it....I am to a point where I can go shooting again...I am going to have to go, for the first time since I started shooting my Sport I have unloaded processed brass, bullets, primers and powder but no where to put ammo. All of my storage boxes are full, my old ammo boxes that held factory ammo are full, the shelf I put my 5.56 on is full. I need to go shoot something other than 22lr or 45acp so I have somewhere to put newly loaded ammo...LOL

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Grover Oathkeeper

They aren't sneaking around anymore, are they?

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- Bill

I am sick and tired of having to fight for my constitutional rights. The cinstitution is the constitution and the gun grabbers need to keep their grimy paws off it.
How do these AWB's get made into law when they are unconstitutional ? What part of shall not be infringed don't they understand ? All these laws need to be repealed, all of them !
I think government has gone way too far already and they want the citizens disarmed so they can go even further without resistance. Just how much are people willing to take ? I would hate to see a revolution rip our country apart, but I am afraid that is the direction it is going. Now the threat of a UN treaty and UN forces on our soil to enforce the treaty ? Drones and the question of if drones can be used to kill Americans on American soil ?
This is getting to be a real mess.

I think we'd better tone down the 2A commentary here before the mods move it out of here.

We can't have our monster reloading thread ending up in in the 2A forum

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- Bill

Back on Task


Loaded up and heading to Cabela's for my Bullet run... then off to the desert for more test... Tune... Play... and Sun

Only gunna be 85deg today....


should be a BLAST!!

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--Stav--

Sounds like a great day, Stav.

I'll be out to shoot on Friday, hopefully to test some new 40gn bullet loads. Not sure when my 1200-R powder will get here...still waiting for Midsouth to send me a shipping notice.

I've been modding my Chrony in an attempt to eliminate sensor errors caused by the muzzle blast from neighboring benches along with catching sidelight on the sensor.



I've made wider shades out of a translucent flexible cutting mat from Target. The side screens are made from some plastic cross stitch mesh and zip tied to the support rods. The trapezoidal front and rear sensor shields are cut out of black flexible cutting mat (came as part of the set from Target).

I've also printed out a alignment target and glued it onto some foamboard. I use it to align a laser bore sight dot into the little circle. Now that the side screens are installed I have to hold it in place by hand.



If there were AC outlets at the shooting benches I would have enclosed the Chrony in a box and used artificial lighting over the sensors...although it may make transporting the chrony to the range a bit cumbersome.

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- Bill

Who's the old guy in the yellow shirt ?

You haul that picnic table with you too ???

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

No, that's not me.

I found that pic in a Google search. It's from the GlockTalk forums. Those polymer fumes will do funny things to your head. hahahaha

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- Bill

Bill, I looked at that pic and thought "Wow! Now that is one serious shooter." I might be intimidated a little next to that guy. " If you don't mind, I'll just watch for awhile." would be the first words out of my mouth! If he is that serious, I want to see how good he shoots! Btw- My son and I went to the farm to sight in our Nikon scopes on our AR's. I was using my new 15OR with 1 in 9 barrel and my son was using his sport with the 1 in 8 barrel. One guess as to who and which gun shot the smallest group? Yep, my son shot the smallest group with his sport! He shot a 3 shot group that was smaller than a dime! His rifle really liked the 55 gr vmax loaded with varget! My rifle shot it pretty well, but not as good as his! Maybe I need to get new glasses? Yeah, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it! Now if I just had a chrony......

You'd need to have a very understanding range master (or none at all) to set up that contraption.

You're preaching to the choir as far as the 1:8 Sport barrel accuracy goes. haha.

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- Bill

Would you guys knock it off! I just spent a boatload of cash getting everything set up and now I have this chronograph THING percolating in the back of my mind.

BTW: This has turned into quite the thread. From reloading to favorite SW pistol, first guns, a bit of 2nd Amendment and back to reloading again.

We're just a very well rounded group. Imagine if we all got together in one group... YIKES !!!

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Did we all just get invited to a meet up in the Boondocks of NE Iowa?

Scott, Chrony is a "nice to have" item which I actually bought to chronograph my son's paintball gun. That was a year before I bought my Sport and got back into reloading. Now I wish I had gotten the Chrony Beta Master which has multi-string memory and a remote display.

What I have done is bought the Chrony Ballistic printer so I no longer have to hand log each shot's velocity. But I've discovered that Chrony will upgrade any Chrony model to a higher level model for a greatly reduced cost. I can get my F1 upgraded to a Beta Master for $60 + 2-way shipping, ~$85 total.

Here's my typical shooting session setup:



The printer attaches to the Chrony with a stereo miniplug cable. It comes with a 12' long one, but will work with longer ones. If/when I upgrade mine to a Beta Master, the printer will plug into a remote display on the bench.

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- Bill

Bill, that is a nice setup. I just got my new Midway flier and guess what is on the front page of the ad. A F1 chronograph. The F1 is $79.99 and the F1 master is $109.Hmm. I would like to have one now. Hmm.. I am going to have to think about this. I will probably bite the bullet and get it.

Don, the crazy thing is that the ballistic printer costs more than the F1. I got at Walmart online for $85. But I love being able to press a button and have it print out Min/Max/Avg/Extreme Spread/STD and every shot velocity in the string.

The downside of it is that it's an old school impact printer so it takes forever to print off a 20 or 30 shot string. haha

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- Bill