BigK

I bought a 4-die set of Lee carbide dies, some 185 gr HBRN Berry's plated bullets, and some used brass from a friend this week and got started reloading some 45 acps. I've been using Bullseye for 9mm loads, but picked up some Win 231 a while back to try something different when I started loading Makarovs, so I used it. I loaded 15 with 5.3 gr, 15 with 5.6 gr, and 15 with 5.8 gr. I crimped them all to .470 and set the OAL to 1.24". The lightest loads were clearly the least accurate, grouping within about 4.5" from 10 yds. The other 2 loads grouped practically the same at around 3.5" for the 5.8 gr loads and 3.75" for the 5.6 gr. The quarter inch isn't much of a difference and with only 15 rounds of each to test, I decided to load 100 more rounds with 5.6 gr of powder and they shot well this weekend. I was using some really small 4" splat targets, so I was only shooting from 5 yards offhand. I know that's not very far, but I had one 5 shot group that was dead center all touching each other in a single ragged hole. I'm pretty satisfied with the accuracy of this load, but the Win 231 is still pretty dirty. Anybody got a suggestion on a really clean powder in the $20-25 range that works well with 9mm and 45 acp? Any other .45 acp secret/hints would be appreciated as well. For instance, is .470" a decent crimp? Is 1.24" OAL a fairly standard length? I didn't have any trouble with the 185gr plated HBRn, but I'm thinking of getting 185gr SWC next time (230 gr RN are so darn expensive). Anyone have any luck with them?

Now that I've got about 250 rounds through this gun, I thought I'd comment on how it runs so far. First off, nothing has caused even the slightest hiccup thus far...not one single failure! That's a good start. Second, it is going to take me a long time to get as accurate as this gun can shoot. For example, today I put a group of 5 shots on the dead center of the bullseye with every hole touching each other. Sadly, I was using 4" Shoot 'N C targets, so I had the target all the up to the 5 yard line. By the time it ocurred to me to push it back to 10 or 15 yards to see how much I've improved with it, I had shot up all the ammo I took with me. I'm just saying...damn this gun is easy to shoot!! Third, the matte stainless finish is SO easy to clean. Everything just wipes right off with a shop rag barely dampened with CLP. I love the wood grips too. All-in-all, it's a good looking, well made gun...kudos to Ruger. Finally, before I bought this gun, I had only fired one single bullet from a 1911 (RIA GI model). I can't believe I'm going to say this, but the grip on this gun feels every bit as good as my CZs do. It points so naturally, I feel like it was made to fit my hands. Previously, nothing but a CZ felt this comfortable to me. Plus, the weight feels a lot like what I'm used to, which is a good thing. I can barely tell I'm shooting a .45acp instead of a 9mm. In fact, the recoil is flatter and less snappy, so it's actually easier to get back on target. ...I had no idea I'd like 1911s so much!

I can't believe you remembered that. Did you like the book?

Nice! Looks great, Gregg.

I can help tear down after the match.

I like the sights and the compensated busing too. Looks good.

I found some decent, but plain ones at the Tandy Leather store on Nolensville Road in Nashville. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com IIRC, they had a better selection of metal ones than wood. Hope this helps.

I want to give this a try and there's one coming up 5/21 in Chattanooga at Shooter's Depot. Here's the link: http://gssfonline.com/indoor-league.cfm It's not an overly complicated course of fire, but sounds really fun. You shoot every other Monday over the course of 6 weeks. Sounds like a lot of fun. If anyone from Middle TN is interested in carpooling to the match for the 3 days (5/21, 6/4, and 6/18), shoot me a PM or reply to the thread. Also, if anyone has shot this match, I'd greatly appreciate hearing what you thought of it.

Nancy Pelosi is a spawn of satan, it may take quite a few rounds to save us from her.

I hope this has a huge turnout then. I can't wait to get back on the horse...been a while.

You'd think that considering how much they focus on running a gun range, they could afford to sell guns just over cost, huh?

I know what you mean about CZ Customs. I have a 75 Shadow they worked on. The trigger melts like butter under your finger, but breaks like a glass rod. Plus, it has no firing pin block, so the reset feels like a mm or 2 at the most. I want to send my P-01 to them, but I'm too attached to it to part with.

It's sad how many people believe the 2nd Amendment is only about hunting, shooting, and self-defense. Good video, glad I got to see it. Only one would've made me happier and that's if the weapons had been their own privately purchase weapons instead. But, still very good.

Absolutely beautiful! I'm with Lester...love that finish, but also love the black contrast. You sir, have excellent taste. CZ is my favorite brand, I have 4 of them. As an overall package they're hard to beat for the money!

Looks great! Good call getting the black one, nice contrast agains the frame!

It sounds to me like you are getting screwed from both ends, dude. Sorry to hear that. I'm curious to know if Arsenal suspects OnTarget has been using the gun as a range rental or has taken in in as a return or something like that. From the OP, it doesn't sound likely a shop would have one sitting NIB on a shelf with any reasonable kind of demand unless they had it grossly overpriced. Let's assume OnTarget has not been renting out this gun or letting employees shoot it and it really has been sitting NIB on a shelf despite demand for 3 years and it's not a return. Why drag your feet for 2+ wks getting it sent back, if you're sure you sold a NIB gun to someone? I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like OnTarget knew this gun would never be fixed free by Arsenal under warranty, so they didn't even try. I wonder what kind of story the OP would've been told a month later when it never got sent out.

I didn't get a chance to chime in earlier, but thanks David. Full version by default is awesome! BTW...I am loving TGO even more lately now that I have an iPad!

Outpost Armory I thought I'd already said "who"...sorry about that.

I totally "get" the spirit of your comments. I agree for the most part, but this is the kind of arguments the anti-2A crowd used when the Restaurant Carry bill was being debated. When I go shopping, out to eat, or to get my oil changed I suspect there are strangers with weapons that may not be as responsible as myself. God knows that class isn't gonna change them much.

They had 2 left as of last Saturday. Your chances aren't bad...they had 5 last Monday and had 3 left by Saturday. Odds are they may still have one left, if you hurry.

Are you kidding? You guys are "enablers" of the worst kind! LOL

I'd buy a Hi-Point first. LOL

I had a great time shooting it this weekend. I am very happy I didn't walk out of there with some stupid ol gunpowder Plus, I've had pleasant dreams every night of all the cool stuff I can get for it...holster(s), mags, sights, grips!

There shouldn't have been any LOADED firearms in the classroom.

I had some Cerakoting done by a guy at The Armory in Lebanon. He did a real good job and I'm happy with the final product, but it took almost twice as long as he quoted me.