Makes sense. When I started reloading I always tried to seat the bullet as far out as possible (within the range of acceptability for the loading data for that particular bullet shape and powder)to try and get the best accuracy.
After finding all the reliability problems it caused, I now load them all towards the shorter end of the allowable range. That solved a LOT of problems for me.
I figured this out looking at factory rounds, which were always far below the max OAL.
As previously mentioned the other big mistake I was making was crimping too much (which invisibly or sometimes visibly) bulged the cases and made them not want to chamber.
Oh, and make sure you clean the brass well.
Oh, and make sure your powder measure is consistent.
Oh, and make sure you have an empty throw detector in any turret or progressive press.
Oh, and make sure you don't use too much case lube on bottle neck cartridges, or they will divot. But use enough, or they will stick in the die or break presses (been both places, done both).
Oh, and make sure you trim all the types of rounds that need trimming, but don't waste time trimming the types that don't.
Oh, and if you are using military brass, you will need to swage the primer pockets.
Oh, and if you are using the hand primer tool that says "always point in a safe direction", really do always point it in a safe direction. Especially if you are sitting next to your 9 year old priming cartridges during the scariest part of a scary movie. When one goes off, you just want to have to peel him off the ceiling, not take him to the ER.
Oh, and don't tumble .38 and 9mm together, or they will have unnatural relations in the bumbler and they are hard to seperate afterwards. Same with .40S&W and .45ACP. Why don't .40 S&W guys ever bother to pick up their brass anyway?
Aside from that... and all the other stuff I don't remember, reloading is fun and easy!
I figured this out looking at factory rounds, which were always far below the max OAL.
Yeah, the 1911 liked it. The XD(m) didn't care. The XDs is being a picky eater. I may simply find a different slug to feed the new kid. That will make it easier to keep straight what ammo goes with what gun.
I have no problems cleaning .38 with 9mm, they're virtually the same diameter. Don't mix those with .40 or .45 though.
Some days it seems like the more I learn, the more I don't know.
Got to the range today. I only shot a couple of magazines through the XDs though. Using bifocal safety glasses so that I could actually focus on the front sight. I will say that it's nice seeing the sights nice and crisp again. It did nothing for the point of impact though, still a few inches low. I had other things to focus on at the range, so the XDs took a back seat. I'm pretty darned happy with this weapon, but it would be nice if it wasn't shooting low. I'll get back when I get someone who can shoot well puts some rounds through it. I'm still not ruling out that it could be me, but I don't have this issue with my other guns. At the range that I'm likely to use this gun, it's probably immaterial.
I take part 1 of my CC class this Saturday. Funny thing that Illinois feels that 16 hours of paid training plus and additional fee to be licensed for this constitutional right is just fine and dandy, but having to show an ID to vote is way over the top. Then I have to get a separate license to carry just an hour north of here. If as Eric Holder claims, that a gay marriage from one state must be recognized by all states, then shouldn't that apply to other state licenses? I smell a good law suit!
I just finished the first CC class as required by Illinois today. In class I found out that the website that we need to use to apply for the license was built by the same company that was used to build the ObamaDontCare website. I'm told it's almost unworkable. Now I understand why two people I know that have applied have been told that insufficient/incorrect information was provided.
That may be worth trying, even if only to eliminate it as a possibility. I was hoping to get an instructor to fire it and see how he did, but the back stop at that range is only rated for .22 LR.
There were 2 others at the class that had just gotten the same gun in .45. Neither had shot it yet. First gun for both. I wonder how that will work out for them.
After the class the instructor pulled out some gun porn. He had a custom Mark II built on a Volquartsen frame. That may be the lightest gun I've ever handled, even with the weight added to the barrel.
I actually got to see one at the range this morning. I've done the application at this point. The clock is ticking.
The instructor of our class on Saturday was saying that they "require" 100% of the shots in the scoring area to qualify, instead of the 70% required by the state. Someone asked what happens if they don't do that and he replied that they would make them shoot until they could. I joked with him later, saying... Let me get this straight. All I have to do is shoot one shot outside the scoring area, and you will let me do more shooting, and you will supply the ammo? He thought about it for a second then damn near hit me.
During practice they were trying to get people to get their shots off faster. Not getting the chance for rapid fire at my normal range I took full advantage. During the qualification shooting I ripped through the 10 shot strings, dropped the mag, and had the gun on the table before some had taken their second shot. Pretty easy with a .22 target gun! I still managed 30 shots inside the 9 ring. I thought for sure I would have a flier or two. I guess I had one of those "good days"!
I tend to agree. I still got my 70% inside the 10 ring, even with the rapid fire through each mag. I see it kind of like getting your motorcycle license. You show you can do a basic figure 8 in a parking lot, and they give you their full blessing to go play on the expressways.
So I had an interesting afternoon. LGS was having their factory shoot today, where manufactures show up with all their hardware and you can shoot 10 rounds through various guns with no range or rental fees. Sweet deal! The wife actually suggested that we go.
I took the opportunity to shoot a 9mm XDs. Yes, the same gun I just purchased. The good news, I shot pretty much right the point of aim with it. The bad news, I'm now convinced that it's my gun that shoots low, and not the shooter. So after shooting I went straight to their booth to discuss this with the factory rep. His first question was how many rounds I've shot. I told him about 200-250. He said to wait until at least 500 are down the tube. I have serious doubts that this will fix anything though, and I told him so. He then suggested that I can send my slide in to have the sights replaced. Apparently they have sights that are slightly taller/shorter to fix exactly this sort of issue. I asked about the cost and he said it would be no charge. I'm not thrilled with this situation, but it's good to know that they are claiming to deal with the issue.
Sorry Aesquire, but I didn't wait in line for the R51. They didn't have one to fondle at their booth either. No range report for the R51. I wanted to, but my wife ate up too much time at the S&W booth.
It seems my wife has suddenly gotten the itch for a 9mm semi-auto. She zeroed in on the M&P C.O.R.E. model. Might as well gravitate toward the top of the line, right? Very nice feeling gun. Sweet trigger. It was on the late side to get in line to shoot though. I really wouldn't hesitate to jump on one of those without actually shooting it though. If it fits your hand and you can operate the switches, I'm confident that it's going to shoot well. No purchase today though.
