xtell

I guess taking it out hunting during a rain storm is out of the question.

BarryinIN, Good info. I have had similar problems with pick up range brass in 9mm. I shoot 9mm Parabellum, but over the years have occasionally found Makarov, 9x21 and 9mm Browning brass mixed in. xtell

Tom, Also consider the CZ 85 Combat: same frame as the standard 75-B but without firing pin block / with adj. sight, drop free mag, overtravel adj. on the trigger. It has a smoother SA and DA trigger pull. The CZ 75-SP01 Phantom is another option to check. It is a polymer gun. For a few more dollars the standard CZ 75 - SP01 Shadow would be the next step up. Cannot help with information on the Walther or S&W models mentioned, never had either one. xtell

Bill in Utah, How is the trigger pull weight on your Savage .22 and does it have some creep to it? Also, how smooth is the action after the break in period? I've been thinking about getting a Savage but I do not know anyone that has one that I could shoot. Any other info on the gun that might be helpfull would be appreciated. Thanks, xtell

Wayne, I do know that they are made in Russia and were once connected with Wolf ammunition. Other than that I've never known anyone to use them and never seen them for sale. Any way you could buy just one pack of 100 and try them out? Interested as to how they work for you. I'm stocked up on CCI and Federal's myself. xtell

Welcome! Back at you from another from the North Coast.

Wayne, I need to go shopping with you!!! I've had good luck with the standard velocity CCI 22LR's. I find them ALMOST as accurate as Wolf Match Target ammo out of my CZ 452 rifle.

Last year me and my shooting partner were shooting 22LR rifles, practicing our standing position for an upcoming CMP Rimfire Sporter match. We were in the left two shooting lanes of a 10 lane range. Another guy comes up and wants to hang his targets. He was on the far right side shooting lane. We unload, open the bolts on our guns, tell him the line is " safe - no fire" and proceed to also walk out to check out / replace our targets. Before we even got back to the firing line the other guy was starting to shoot. We both ran back to the line and he is shooting like nothing was wrong. I stood there in disbelief, but my buddy walked over to him and proceeded to ream him a new one. He replied " You guys were far enough over there , you had nothing to worry about". We loaded up our gear and left, buy not before informing the owner of the range what happeded. The next time back there the range owner told us he had the guy on their "no entry" list. Idiots are everywhere, but I'm trying my best not to be shot by one.

Wayne, Good to hear you had a fun shoot. What load did you finally settle on? I know you were working up / testing loads earlier this year. xtell

Good find BarryinIN. Wonder what the single action - double action pull weight will be? I'll have to keep my eyes out for this one. xtell

Good find Bill! Thanks for the heads-up. xtell

G-Man Thanks for the link. Lots of good info.

Anyone out there have any experience with the CZ 85 Combat pistol? Any problems with reliability, parts breakage or feeding problems with factory loads or reloads? I've been shooting a Glock 17 for several years but had a chance to shoot for a session with the 85 combat. I did pretty good with the 85, it fit my hand well and the different angle of the grip / extra weight made it a bit easier to line up the sights after the shot. An info. would be appreciated. xtell

RebinPA Sorry to hear about the pistol problems. Were you able to contact the manufacturer to discuss the broken loading levers? If so, what was their reply? Hope the 1851 works out better. xtell

Wayne, Just curious as to what brand / type of resizing lube you are using on those .223 cases? I would clean the die out with some strong laundry / dishwashing soap and then use a strong copper solvent. This should remove the brass from the die and allow you to check the die surface / finish to see if it was damaged. As a side note, although you are using brass cases, I have read in different die manufacturers instruction manuals that loading nickle plated cases can cause the same problem you are having. xtell

Wayne, That 1 in 9 twist of your barrel is a good middle of the road twist rate for the .223 with 55 to 62 grain bullets. You would probably not have any trouble going up to the 70+ grain bullets if you ever chose to. Good luck and good shooting. xtell

Wayne, For .308 rifle and 45 ACP, I started out with a Lee Loader and a plastic mallet to pound the cases into the sizing die, pound in the primers and pound in the bullets! I have a single stage press I've used for years but it makes for long nights in the basement churning out rounds. Overall, what are your thoughts on the progressive press you have? I have also been checking out a Dillon press. xtell

Wayne, Also, in addition to the ogive as mentioned previously, remember the overall length of the bullet you chose will have a bearing on the COL in your gun in regards to pressure. As an example, when loading for my 308 Win, the Nosler BT or Sierra Match King are longer overall than a Speer Hot Core or Winchester Power Point. If all are seated to the same COL, the Nosler or Sierra will have a higher cartridge pressure. If you can gauge how far off the lands your .223 loads are for best acuracy, without high pressure signs, and the finished loads fit your magazine and cycle smoothly, slight variations in the COL (less or more) are acceptable. It all becomes a balance between many different variables. Xtell

Wayne, Good to hear that Titegroup is working for you. Are you using TG just with cast bullets or did you try some jacketed bullets as well? With the jacketed bullets you will note that the smoke is minimal to non-existant. Xtell

BarryinIN, Have you ever tried Accurate - Solo 1000? Some of the guys at the range I go to seem to like it with cast bullets. I never tried it though. Xtell

Wayne, Pallets of VV powder! Thats something I'd like to see at the suppliers in my area. It's hit or miss on the VV N320 powder around me but it works so well in my reloads that when I find it I tend to drain my wallet. Xtell

Wayne, Titegroup is a great 9mm powder. However, it smokes like a freight train with lead bullets. In 45 ACP it gives good accuracy with jacketed bullets but is a fairly dirty powder. These are just a couple of observations from when I tried out a pound of TG powder. I have since gone to VV- N320 for 9mm and 45 ACP. I also use Win 231 (for both 9mm & 45 ACP) when I can't find the N320. Xtell

Welcome Pablo! Great to have you on board.

I'll have to go with the CZ 452. I use one for CMP Rimfire Sporter matches in "O" class. Very accurate, crisp trigger and comes with the best adjustable open sights I have ever had on a rimfire rifle.

Tom, 5.6gr is a light starting load of IMR 800x for your bullet weight. In my experience, in my .40 guns, 800x tends to do better when loaded in the upper end of powder load weights. You are correct in that lower pressure tends to not expand the brass causing some soot. The degree of crimp can also be a factor. Finally, some powders just burn a lot dirtier than others regardless of pressure developed. xtell