Nice. I've been reading all I can on it and I think i've got a decent grasp on everything. Just trying to get into it slowly instead of jumping in head-first like all my other hobbies. I hope to be reloading before Christmas, and casting at some point in the next few months afterwards.

For now, i'll mainly be loading .223 and 30-06

10/12/2016 8:43:23 PM

i enjoy reloading as much as i do shooting. it is relaxing.

10/12/2016 8:58:14 PM

Yeah, that's a big draw to it. It's something I can do for an hour or three out in the garage after the kid goes to bed. Doesnt require a huge lump of time like some of my other hobbies like homebrewing (6-14 hours depending on how big a batch I brew)

And I like to tinker. And I'm cheap and enjoy a good hunt (scrapping for lead)

10/12/2016 9:09:22 PM

good luck with the lead. the old retired farts have sucked up most of the good stuff. i have two 5 gallon buckets of bullets that were mined out of a range backstop that i need to melt down.

10/12/2016 9:23:29 PM

I can probably get my hands on a decent bit through some contacts I have, but honestly not even sure it's worth the time. You can find lead ingots on eBay for decent enough prices. Comes out to about ~$.01/bullet. I can handle that. I don't shoot enough to really justify trying to save that extra $.01 per round by sourcing free lead. But won't turn any down if I come across it!

10/12/2016 10:05:27 PM

pure soft lead isn't very useful for bullet casting. wheel weight ingots go for over $1/lb. a 124 gr 9 mm bullet would be 2 or 3 cents each. a 230 gr for .45 ACP would be about a nickle. that doesn't factor in lube or coating. you can buy cast 230 gr .45 for 10 cents or less and ready to load. the payback is really slow. much slower than just reloading with factory jacketed bullets or commercial cast bullets.

10/12/2016 10:20:02 PM

Yeah, I was referencing a 55g .223 at ~$.01/round.

I plan on using the shake'n'bake powdercoating method which is ridiculously cheap as well if it works for me. People seem to either love it or hate it.

10/13/2016 7:41:31 AM

Yeah, I wouldn't bother casting for a .224" caliber. You have to keep the velocity so low that it's kinda useless. Might as well just shoot rimfire.

If I'm going to the trouble to prep 223 brass and load them up, I'm gonna pony up the 8 or 9 cents for a 55 gr FMJ.

[Edited on October 13, 2016 at 7:58 AM. Reason : Bd]

[Edited on October 13, 2016 at 7:59 AM. Reason : Not to mention a leaded up gas system]

10/13/2016 7:55:09 AM

I've read several places where people are shooting cast .223 from wheel weights at 2000fps. And some people are saying with "proper hardening" you can shoot them at up to 2300fps. With minimal, if any, leading. Might be bullshit, but who knows.

Obviously, I only know what I've read and have no personal experience yet, but I'm assuming I can add linotype to the wheel weights to make it harder, and be ok in the 2100'ish FPS range. I'm not trying to make match-grade precision rounds here. Just something I can plink with on the cheap. I'm even building a second plinking AR from some parts I have that will be dedicated to shooting these "boolits".

I'll go with FMJ for anything over 100m, or shooting through my nicer AR.

10/13/2016 8:48:19 AM

Maybe with gas checks. Juice isn't worth the squeeze imo. Definitely not for beginners.

10/13/2016 9:40:18 AM

anyone know of a pocket-carry size semi-auto with an external safety?

10/24/2016 7:02:45 AM

Hmm. Define "pocket carry". Like would a Sig 948 be acceptable?

10/24/2016 11:27:21 AM

M&P Bodyguard has an external safety and might work for pocket carry.

10/24/2016 12:52:01 PM

Quote :

"Define "pocket carry""

Fits in a normal-size pants pocket

[Edited on October 24, 2016 at 1:13 PM. Reason : and I'd take revolver suggestions too, I guess.]

10/24/2016 1:12:48 PM

Sig938, Shield with external safety, S&W642

10/24/2016 8:13:06 PM

IMO, the shield is too big for pocket carry.

10/25/2016 9:22:15 AM

I pocket carry my 642, and barely notice it. Everything else I gotta put on the belt. During the summer, that S&w is nice to carry, but if im wearing khakis or jeans, im gonna up it up to the kahr cw9 iwb.

11/4/2016 11:37:57 PM

Form 1 Paper File
DDLES AR lower- .40 cal w/ 5" barrel
Mailed 4/16/16
Received 11/8/16

11/8/2016 8:04:29 PM

Looks like we might not have to worry about runs on ammo for a while...

On a different note, my Rugged Obsidian is awesome. Shot it in the short configuration on my Glock 19 and I couldn't be happier. It was so quiet I didn't even feel the need to add the extra length.

11/8/2016 11:50:34 PM

i was kinda looking forward to the jump in gun values and kicking around the idea of unloading a couple things

11/9/2016 12:28:59 AM

I don't have anything I want to sell and I don't have tons of ammo/reloading components so I am going to enjoy peace in that realm for a while.

11/9/2016 12:41:07 AM

Another two stamp'er

11/11/2016 11:20:53 PM

Well, after many years of dithering I've finally purchased my first firearm, a Beretta 92fs which should arrive at the shop this week upcoming. I've enjoyed the little bit of shooting I've done in the past but never made the leap to gun ownership until now. I'm taking a pair of handgun safety classes and will probably get my concealed carry permit at some point down the line in the next couple of months even though I don't intend to carry.

There's a range just a couple of miles from me and I'm planning on getting a membership and doing some weekly shooting.

I don't have kids but I do already own a safe for valuables/documents and will probably purchase a separate one for ammo and the gun. I've purchased hearing protection, glasses, a cleaning kit, and I've already watched videos on how to field strip and clean.

Anything else I'm forgetting or need to know off the bat?

11/19/2016 7:29:29 PM

buy ammo in bulk online. if you buy 50 rd boxes at the local shop, you'll probably pay too much.

11/19/2016 8:33:18 PM

Yeah, already figured that out. My mom actually does accounting for centerfire systems and I can get ammo at wholesale.

[Edited on November 19, 2016 at 8:39 PM. Reason : sfsd]

11/19/2016 8:38:57 PM

i wouldn't bother putting ammo in a safe. just keep it in a GI ammo can in an area with HVAC.

11/19/2016 8:47:00 PM

I also wouldn't worry about putting ammo in the safe unless you just feel like stroring it their.

Congrats on your first purchase though.

11/20/2016 7:00:14 AM

finally got around to shooting my K31 today. shot 1" at 100 yds with GP11 and the standard sights from front rest and rear bag. several inches high and a little left. didn't have a way to push the front sight over to correct the windage and the military rear ladder sight doesn't allow for any adjustment. i'll probably put some mojo peep sights on it, but very happy with how it shot. surprisingly, there was another guy there with a sporterized swiss model 1911. he had a scope mounted on it and my K31 still outshot it.

11/22/2016 6:08:32 PM

Those are some sweet shooting guns. I might pick up one someday but the safe is currently overcapacity.

11/23/2016 8:12:44 AM

what amazes me is how far ahead of its time the GP11 cartridge is. pretty much a 7.62x51 with a 175 gr VLD style bullet way back in 1911. the swiss don't fuck around.

[Edited on November 23, 2016 at 10:51 AM. Reason : sdfa]

[Edited on November 23, 2016 at 10:53 AM. Reason : it's match grade and still only costs about 50 cents a round today]

11/23/2016 10:39:59 AM

So... a very interesting first day at the range.

I decided to pick up a couple of different brands of ammo to see which one I liked best. Winchester, Remington, and Federal American Eagle. All FMJ range ammo. Pretty normal, mass produced stuff.

Loaded up 3 magazines with Winchester, 1 with Federal. Popped off a magazine of winchester, no issues. Everything ran smoothly, gun shoots very nice. Not much recoil and even for a novice like me I'm shooting reasonable looking groups at 5 yards.

Drop the mag, put in a mag of federal. First 5 rounds down range no noticeable difference, then on the 5th something funny happens. I think I've missed the target completely and the gun doesn't cycle completely. I put on the safety, drop the mag, clear the chamber and restart. Still nope. I break the gun down, only then do I realize that the last round is stuck int he barrel. A squib 5 rounds into my second magazine through this pistol.

I've done some reading up and I've seen a few forum posts on squibs with American Eagle, but the brand has a pretty solid reputation so I'm not sure if this is a real issue or just shitty luck for me.

BTW, I got it knocked out with a brass rod and a wooden mallet and the barrel seems fine upon inspection. No bulges or scratches that I can see.

11/27/2016 7:47:13 PM

I'm not following your sequence of events. You had the squib that didn't hit the target and didn't cycle the pistol. Then you removed the mag, cleared the weapon, put the mag back in, chambered a round, and pulled the trigger? What happened then?

[Edited on November 27, 2016 at 8:00 PM. Reason : adsf]

11/27/2016 8:00:39 PM

The bullet was lodged in the barrel maybe a half inch down, so the round behind it would not seat fully. The slide would not fully close so I didn't fire another round thankfully. I hope that's a little clearer.

Question is more about the ammunition than anything else.

[Edited on November 27, 2016 at 8:20 PM. Reason : sdfsd]

11/27/2016 8:18:13 PM

damn, you got really lucky. if the squib bullet had been a little further down and you fired another one, the results would've been much worse.

can't help you with the ammo. i wouldn't shoot any more of it. i would probably call Federal.

cheap factory ammo is mostly junk. one of the reasons i reload.

11/27/2016 8:58:11 PM

Yes, I was very fortunate, could easily have exploded the barrel, ruined the gun and been injured.

I won't be shooting any more rounds from that box and I've already sent federal an email. Maybe I can get myself a new barrel out of it.

Not about to fall down the reloading rabbit hole, although it does seem like a fun little hobby that I could do while listening to podcasts and sipping whiskey. The cost savings probably aren't enough to justify it if I'm just plinking 9mm.

Now, if I get a couple more guns or I can talk my brother into splitting costs with me...

Seriously though, if any of you have any strong opinions on range ammo either endorsements or strong stay aways I'd love to know.

11/27/2016 9:19:41 PM

I've never had a problem with any factory ammo.

That being said, please post the brand, model (does ammo have models? e.g. Winchester white box 9mm 115 gr.), lot number, and when and where you bought it.

[Edited on November 28, 2016 at 9:26 AM. Reason : more]

11/28/2016 9:26:28 AM

Shot a couple ARs yesterday in both 7.62 and 5.56 formats. The 5.56 is so much fun, and the mechanical sound it makes with each shot was... euphoric? I don't know how to describe it, but it put a smile on my face. Just made me happy to pull the trigger each time. I can see the appeal to AR builds. MaximaDrvr has built a few that I've been like, "wow, this is really balanced and fun to shoot!" Then there are others that are just "meh" to me. The custom 7.62 didn't do it for me the same way the out of the box 5.56 M&P15 Sport did...


[Edited on November 28, 2016 at 10:57 AM. Reason : .]

11/28/2016 10:51:48 AM

^^ Federal American Eagle 115 grain 9mm 100ct. box (Item #AE9DP100). Lot was QCW1K276V62278. Picked it up at a Dick's sporting goods in Chattanooga, TN last week I think.

[Edited on November 28, 2016 at 7:26 PM. Reason : Fjdjdj]

11/28/2016 7:25:40 PM

I haven't ever had any issues with any factory ammo, with the exception of Speer 155gr .40S&W rounds. My Glock KKM barrel does not like to feed those rounds in particular, though my Keltec Sub2k does without any hiccups.

My go to with factory ammo is usually Federal or Blazer. I find that Winchester and Remington are usually dirtier ammo, though they shoot just as well. My own reloads have slightly tighter grouping from a bench rest than factory, and cleaner burn too. I suppose that's more due to differences in larger mass manufacturing tolerances and my own personal higher precision hand loads. One of the benefits of loading your own.

Glad you're safe and everything is okay.

11/28/2016 11:06:30 PM

That's crazy. Thankfully, in thousands of rounds of factory rounds, I've never had a squib. Glad you're ok.

11/29/2016 10:40:20 AM

Same here; never had a squib. Had other malfunctions due to sub par QC, mainly in duty stuff but for some reason never in range stuff.

In other gun stuff, I've been very happy with my SIONICS rifle I picked up this summer. And Merry Christmas to me...my battle belt should be shipping soon.

11/30/2016 11:12:15 AM

shot at the new public range at Holly Shelter today. it was ok. really nice facility with a 200 yd rifle range and a 50 yd handgun range. kinda lame cause you can only shoot off the bench on the rifle range. they have those insulated boxes you shoot through and they're really low, so no off-hand, prone, or anything like that. they will let you shoot rimfire and pistol caliber rifles on the handgun range. paper targets only, too, which is also lame. also has a 25 station 3D archery range.

good spot to go if you are just testing some loads or shooting groups. not much good for practical shooting.

11/30/2016 3:49:31 PM

Picked up a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x and Vortex 30mm 2" offset mount.
Got it for $350 OTD, $270 scope and $80 mount.
Excited to put it on a gun and try it out.

Trying to decide it it will live on the Suppressed SBR, the Suppressed Recce 17", or on my 14.5".

12/11/2016 7:53:33 PM

Got my first hog this weekend. Not sure how it will taste but I'm getting it processed anyways. Anyone have experience cooking wild hogs? Getting the back straps, tenderloins, roasts, and the some sausage made.

[Edited on December 11, 2016 at 10:33 PM. Reason : Image way too big]

12/11/2016 10:33:16 PM

This is highly addictive and rapidly becoming expensive...

Picked up my first 1911 this weekend. A stainless steel Kimber. It's a lot of fun to shoot and man is it pretty.

12/11/2016 10:38:37 PM

Quote :

"Picked up a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x and Vortex 30mm 2" offset mount. Got it for $350 OTD, $270 scope and $80 mount. Excited to put it on a gun and try it out. "

Is it a true 1x?
How bright is the reticle compared to an eotech?

I've got an AR that's surprisingly accurate (<1MOA with Q3131) and thought it'd be nice to make use of that with some magnification. For the weight and price of the eotech that's on it plus a magnifier I could get a 1-?x. I've never messed with a 1x but it seems like it can't be as fast as an eotech or other red dot.

12/13/2016 2:01:13 PM

A guy at work just got a strike eagle. I checked it out today. Seems really nice. It was a little heavy, imo.

12/13/2016 3:05:49 PM

Quote :

" Is it a true 1x How bright is the reticle compared to an eotech? I've got an AR that's surprisingly accurate (<1MOA with Q3131) and thought it'd be nice to make use of that with some magnification. For the weight and price of the eotech that's on it plus a magnifier I could get a 1-?x. I've never messed with a 1x but it seems like it can't be as fast as an eotech or other red dot. "

Yes, or as close to it as makes little difference.
Bright as you need it: the reticle has 11 (ELEVEN!) brightness settings not including the unlit black etched which is great for daylight.

Who is to say about "fast?" The red dot might be faster in terms of general placement, but the reticle paints a very fine cross-hair in a precise location (in addition to a larger 270 horseshoe for fast acquisition). The net speed might be faster with the scope. Further, the reticle can be focused so that those of us with weak eyesight can adjust the reticle focus for our eyesight with corrective lenses (vs viewing a blurry dot). Lastly, the reticle has range compensation should one wish or need to target 200+ yards.

Weight is a consideration (but I'm a rather small fellow without a lot of upper body strength).

[Edited on December 13, 2016 at 5:41 PM. Reason : ..]

[Edited on December 13, 2016 at 5:43 PM. Reason : .]

12/13/2016 5:40:55 PM

ordered a dedicated glock mag 9mm lower. would like to eventually SBR it.

should i build it as a 16" rifle or a pistol for now?

12/15/2016 8:19:34 PM

I'd say pistol. 9mm velocity stops increasing as a function of barrel length after about 10 inches.

12/15/2016 10:11:23 PM