Jamie Jackson

Handloading has many advantages...and a couple of disadvantages... Locating affordable components, in particular powder, is not easy at this time. But you can tailor the ammo to your specs and the components store a mighty long time.   If, as Patton mentioned, you purchase in large enough quantity to offset HazMat fess, and if you either cast your own bullets or purchase in large enough bulk quantities on sale, you can certainly keep your costs down.   We, our local group, cast-powder coat-handload- and group purchase bulk quantities...so it works for us.   This tool might give you an idea of your costs: http://handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp   musicman...I see the same that Patton has seen in the Knoxville area. The Prefecta 9mm is going for $11.97/50 rounds iirc at my local Walmart. If I could have picked up several thousand rounds at $140.00/1000 I would have too!     Another option or addendum is a good dry fire program. :pleased:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NGyHcb-eIk

Gordon's post (#15) is spot on imho.   I recently read that there are 650,000 Peace Officers in the U.S. That works out to 1 for every 480 people if my math is close.   I too believe we would clearly see a divide in the military and among Peace Officers between those that hold true to their Oath, and those that have no moral compass nor integrity.   When the line is finally crossed, and I pray that day won't come, but I fear that it is close, it'll be a bloody mess. It's the guerrilla aspect of that looming conflict that I believe those in power severely underestimate.   I've interacted with, and done (legitimate) business with, those in the III% community and have found them to be intelligent people with a solid moral compass. Not a bunch of bubba's...

This is gonna be an excellent training weekend folks! ...and just a few days away.     Private Close Range Rifle Class on Saturday and Enhancing Combat Pistol Skills on Sunday. It just doesn't get much better than this. :up:   http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/87000-private-rifle-class-knoxville-area-with-a-couple-of-openingsdont-miss-out/

Well...it's out of stock at Graf's now...but was there yesterday LOL. Just as sign of the times I guess.   Graf's: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/27126   Alliant: http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/be-86.aspx   Lohman's lists it...but they'll slip you a backorder if not in stock...I'd call them before I'd order...fwiw.:   http://www.lohmanarms.com/product_p/hcbe868.htm     But has anyone had an opportunity to try it out in 9mm yet? Or any other caliber for that matter?   Alliant lists it for a broad range of pistol calibers. It's burn rate is very close to Unique, and the charge weight related to bullet weight is very similar to Unique as well.   Thoughts and/or experiences?    

I wish I was local...I'd be all over that 8 pounds of Unique for $139.00!   There's a decent Unique load for most handgun rounds and I've even loaded some lead .30-30 "plinking" rounds with Unique.

Dolo made a great point. I only fill my tumbler, a 25 year Dillon FL 2000, about 1/2 full of media. I usually run it for about an hour with 500+ pieces of 9mm brass in it with a cut up dryer sheet. I haven't experienced any dust issues. And I am impressed at how well it polishes the brass, and I haven't ever try adding NUFinish or Turtle Wax yet...but certainly plan to give it a go.   https://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23658/catid/8/Dillon__039_s_CV_2001_Vibratory_Case_Cleaner

Bass Pro carries quite a bit of AR oriented powders...kinda pricey. Around $30.00-$32.00 per pound. But if you have one near you, you can order it online and have it shipped to the store for pickup. Save that HazMat fee.   I just checked and they have H335. My AR's love that stuff with 55 gr bullets.   http://www.basspro.com/Shooting-Reloading-Supplies-Reloading-Powder/Type-Rifle-Powder/_/N-1z0usuuZ1z0waci   I know it's not a brick and mortar store...just an option.

Noted jonathon. I'll give it a try. But in my limited experience with lizard litter thus far, I find a couple of dryer sheets to be of some help as far as the dust goes.

I've seen Lizard Litter recommended here on TGO a couple of times. I handloaded about 14,000 rounds of 9mm alone last year, a few thousand .38's and a few thousand 5.56...all range brass......my tumbler media got nasty!   We use Amazon Prime for many things, so I looked on Amazon and found Zilla Ground English walnut shells desert blend as recommended by Gordon aka Dolomite. As usual, Gordon was right! :up:   $10.39 for a 10 quart bag. 1/2 the bag filled my Dillon tumbler appropriately. This stuff works great. It's at least 1/2 the price I paid for the last media I purchased, and with the Amazon Prime the was no shipping.   Give it a try the next time you are in the market, I think you'll like it.       http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11678-Ground-English-10-Quart/dp/B000OQRGF2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1428447145&sr=1-1&keywords=lizard+litter

I received that e-mail flyer too. Man, that is tempting.   Several local Departments are switching from .40 Glocks to 9mm Sigs (320 iirc) in a couple of months...the training has already begun or will be starting soon...so quite a few more will be hitting the market...carried a lot and mostly shot only a little...   I guess I better start saving my pennies. :pleased:

Sorry to take such a long time to reply.  Crazy busy at work... :squint:     Feel free to PM me for additional info if you'd like. Come join us.

Congratulations to you both! And may you be Blessed with many, many more years together.   It truly is the people in our lives that enrich us.

I think I'll just go read a while...   Good Luck folks.

You may also be interested in this handgun class the next day: http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/85446-april-19-knoxville-suarez-training-group/   It's gonna be a great training weekend folks!  :up:

Hi Folks.   We have a private class setup in the Knoxville area and decided to open 5 slots to TGO members and associates.   This is an incredible opportunity that you really don’t want to miss. Please feel free to PM me, Randy Harris aka Cruel Hand Luke, or GTG (Gotthegoods) for any additional info.   Location: South Knoxville area…details on signup. The below is an edited e-mail excerpt I sent out some time ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     RIFLE CLASS SATURDAY APRIL 18th 2015   Hi folks; TGO member GTG, the gentleman that hosted A.I.M. (Alternative Indexing Methods) Class has offered his place again for a Private session Randy Harris Rifle Class. Thank you GTG! What we are looking at is a one day, eight hour or so class, utilizing that AR 15, AK, M1A, Lever action carbine or whatever you have hanging around you plan to defend hearth and home with.  :) This will be from contact or near contact distances out to about 25-30 yards. There will be transitional use of the handgun incorporated. The main focus will be, as mentioned, use in close range interpersonal conflict resolution as it relates to home and immediate property defense. Cost is $150.00 for the day. That is a true value my friends and a special discounted rate Randy is kind enough to offer to us. I know several of you guys have AR's, AK's and such that probably have the barrels growing closed as I type this...you've all heard "You don't use it, you lose it". :) Knock the dust off of 'em and get some training... I promise Training is a much better investment than gear...Invest in yourself...your skills...the "gubbermint" can't take that away from you my friends. The date is Saturday April 18th ..should be plenty of time to make plans and gather your gear. :) FYI...more ammo means more trigger time. I always bring much more than listed because I plan to shoot!   Ammo: Rifle 200 rds  Pistol : 50 rds Ancillary gear: belt and holster and mag pouch for pistol , sling for rifle,  at least 3 rifle mags, at least  2 pistol mags, a way to carry rifle mags. This can be in your pockets, belt mounted mag pouches, a bag of some type or a chest rig. This is not a contractor class so if you show up with armor and  18 magazines you'll be a little over dressed. Armor is fine...but no whining if it gets heavy. It only works if you wear it and wearing it gets tiresome.   Use common sense on holster set up. If you are rolling with a chest rig and or armor then NO AIWB (appendix IWB) unless you have a truly small chest rig and there is no conflict between the rig and the gun coming out of the holster cleanly. I want no conflict between chest rig and drawing the pistol for safety sake. IWB or OWB belt is fine...as long as it is not impeded by a monstrously big SWAT turtle rig. Drop leg is fine....but no one is REALLY gonna use that in all likelihood.  Some stuff we will cover.... Don't get shot (use of cover and movement to keep from getting shot)  Quickly hit what you aim at (use APPROPRIATE sight pic for the distance) whether standing, kneeling, prone or moving Clear malfunctions Keep it loaded (both emergency and proactive)  Transition to pistol (reload and keep it running too)  Weapon Retention and use of the rifle as an impact weapon (it's good for more than just shooting)

I've carried a Clinch Pick since '04 ...but they are a bit of a challenge to find these days:   http://monderno.com/knife-reviews/shivworks-clinch-pick/       Another option, and certainly more affordable is TDI knife with an NSR sheath... This is the setup I am currently running and it serves my purpose well.   http://nsrtactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43&products_id=84

Greetings and Welcome aboard Mic. :hat:

Welcome Bob.   Pretty cool setup. Quite by coincidence I watched this vid earlier today. Great concept.

Claude Werner is a remarkable individual and one of the most precise and concise critical thinkers in the community currently.   I haven't had the opportunity to train with him yet, several people I know and trust hold him in high regard. Members of his "tribe" include such individuals as William Aprill, Tom Givens, Craig Douglas, Paul Sharp, and John Herne. They have all earned my respect and attention long ago.     Below is a link to Ballistic Radio, an actual Sunday night Radio broadcast, and podcast, and a very recent interview with said "Tactical Professor" Claude Werner. Well worth a listen imho.   http://ballisticradio.com/2015/03/04/negative-outcomes-101-with-the-tactical-professor-podcast-season-2-ballistic-radio-episode-101-march-1st-2015/

Excellent choice John. :up:   And not a moment too soon. I was just about to recommend a set of Multicam Tactical Combat Suspenders! [url=http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/accessories-sr/tyr-suspenders/] [b]Actual link to suspenders![/b][/url] :stunned:

This thread is way more entertaining than the WD and gives excellent insight into the tribe's mindset here.   I happen to like our tribe and that mindset. :squint:

Thank you tnhawk.       Much to my surprise when I arrived home from work a few minutes my brand new Glock 19 slide was here waiting for me. 2 days after our conversation...not bad. :pleased:   Outstanding product and excellent customer service. Glock Rocks imho. :up:

Not trying to sound like a know it all John, but the rigidity and cut of a gun-specific belt is quite different than normal wear leather belts. It honestly can be quite remarkable when you experience the difference,   I have gunbelts in reinforced nylon, leather and horsehide. Even quality everyday wear leather will have some stretch to it, and the cut is not made to accommodate the weight of a holster and mag pouches.   And IWB does take an adjustment period for most folks.

    You won belts that are not gunbelts?  :ugh:   I kid...I still have a dress belt...somewhere....

Thanks for the head's up and I wish you a timely resolution to this problem. Hopefully they'll get this straightened out fast for you.   Keep us posted.