TNMTBik3r

I just read an article that suggested crushing the crush washer a bit more in the vise, then trying to install. Going to try that, seems so obvious but never crossed my mind.   I didn't put my torque wrench on but I can. It felt like I was using more pressure than when installed the barrel nut, which I had to torque to 45 foot pounds to align properly.

I really think the nitride finish is a contributing factor. Haven't had an issue when swapping out the muzzle device on my other ARs, but they were phosphate and therefore rougher finish.

Got home from work today and the last couple parts I needed to complete my 6.8 AR were here, so decided to finish out the upper tonight.   I cannot get the muzzle brake even close to timed with or without the crush washer so looking for opinions.     16" 6.8 barrel from AR15Performance, 5/8-24 threads. Barrel is nitride finished. YHM .308 slant muzzle brake with crush washer: http://yhm.net/30-cal-muzzle-brake-308.html     "Times" are based on the top of the barrel with the gas port being 12:00, top of the brake in correlation. Using a bench mounted vise, tried rubber vise jaws and a leather belt wrapped around the barrel - the belt helped a lot more than the vise jaws.     With the crush washer installed correctly (the "bowl" facing the muzzle device) the brake hand tightens to about 2:00. Clamped in the vise with the belt, I was able to wrench the brake to 5:00. At that point the barrel/receiver began spinning.   With the crush washer installed backwards, hand tightened to 4:00 and able to wrench to not quite 7:00 before barrel/receiver began spinning.   With no crush washer, hand tightened to 6:00. I did not try and wrench tighten and risk any damage due to the half revolution needed.     I know not to use an upper receiver vise as it could result in the barrel pin being sheared. I am using a 4" vise mounted to an 8 foot bench, tightening down on the vise with all of my weight. Leather belt wrapped with the rough side against the barrel, part of the issue may be the slick nitride finish?   It looks like my options are to: 1. Get a muzzle device shim set 2. Take it to the local gunsmith 3. New muzzle device   Any other ideas or suggestions? I really thought the leather belt would have provided enough grip...

I think Radical uses rebranded Seekins rails. At least that is what they sell.

My dad has a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454. Recoil is rough with full powered loads but is extremely enjoyable to shoot with .45LC ammo.

Hattie B's is too inconsistent. Order Hot one day and absolutely no heat, the next week Hot is at the level of Damn Hot. Pepperfire is good. Their chicken quality is above Hattie B's and a different type of hot.

Frankford Arsenal or Cabela's (rebranded Berry's). The green tumbler on my bench if you remember it is Cabela's and holds more brass than the FA one I have. I used to have the Lyman 1200 and the Cabela's one can hold double the amount. Not that expensive, and Berry's has a good warranty if anything breaks.

I have owned a couple (.40 and .45). Rugged, reliable, and surprisingly accurate. The Hi-Point .40 I owned would shoot smaller groups than my Ruger SR40. Makes a good knock around weapon for camping, truck, etc.

Just watched it. I laughed most of the way through, my wife just shook her head and looked at me. No wrong way to use a margarita pool.

I use H&R Block for the past couple of years. I have compared H&R, TurboTax, TaxAct, and some other one and H&R Block always gets me the best refund by at least $100 each time. I use the deluxe version - whatever brand you use (online or software download) check for coupons online. Can usually find one to save you at least $10, if not up to 50% of the cost.

Loading for long range shooting is different than just loading plinking ammo. A turret press of any brand is not going to cut it IMO. I just sold my RCBS turret because I only used it in single stage, and a single stage press does not have the flex of the turret which means more consistent ammo. That does not mean you cannot load accurate ammo with a turret press, just that runout tends to be higher.

I'm waiting on my new Rockchucker to arrive (should be Wednesday), then I have a bunch of brass to resize and trim. With my test pieces I did not have an issue with brass collecting in the trimmer collet. My setup is adjusted so the trimmer opening is down and any brass trimmings can fall onto the cookie sheet I placed under for easy cleanup.

Midway had a $15 coupon last week, I saved a couple bucks on the listed price even with shipping.

Anyone else used one of these yet? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/628405/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-center I ordered one last week, used it several hours today and very happy. I was debating which trimmer to go with, was looking at the Giraud and WFT but the cost was considerably more. I wanted an easier case prep solution as well and this center fits all my needs. The trimmer indexes on the case shoulder. It is fairly simple to adjust and switch calibers. 3 motorized attachment points for various prep tools - comes with chamfer, debut, and primer pocket cleaner tools. I went through and prepped few hundred pieces of brass today. Very smooth, much easier and quicker than by hand. The brass was already trimmed, but I messed around trimming a few pieces of brass to test adjustment and everything - no problems, very consistent lengths on my test brass. I will try to get some pics and a better review later in the week, maybe even a video. My only complaint, if you want to call it that, is the storage compartment is difficult to pry open - I need to sand the latch lightly I think.

What powder are you using? What I do is place the baffle in, dump in powder, then drop 10 charges and dump them back on top. That will settle the powder and then you can start weighing charges.

  Sounds like you are using the measure as it comes out of the box, which is the rifle rotor. To test, adjust the measure to drop say 15 grains of whatever powder and weigh them. I bet it will be right on. You will need to buy the handgun rotor as seen here:  http://www.midwayusa.com/product/164839/hornady-lock-n-load-powder-measure-handgun-rotor-and-metering-assembly

Did you order the pistol rotor separately? The rotor that comes with it is for rifle, and is known to be inconsistent when dropping low charges. 

I picked up 1# of IMR 4166 at A-H. Not sure when I will get a chance to load and shoot any but I am interested in trying it. It was $5 higher than CFE223 which is my go to. I'm hoping it meters fairly well. Read it is cut shorter than varget so maybe...

Ice in Columbia. Still hoping for snow.

But it comes with an ammo can....

I use the Hornady OneShot cleaner usually. It is a cleaner and dry lube. Anything that you use for your other reloading equipment or even firearms should be fine for the powder measure. Clean it then let it dry before using.

Signing petition, will send emails out too. If anyone wants to stock up on bullets just in case, this place hasn't raised prices yet. Can only order over phone though. American Ballistics. $100 shipped per 1K M855. They have loaded ammo too. https://m.facebook.com/AmericanBallistics?ref=bookmark

Last year I remember a lot of complaints that people were being shorted on powder (on Facebook, don't recall reading it in a forum anywhere). 1# jugs only had 3/4# or something. The company said on Facebook that it was not them but a distributor who was swiping powder then resealing the containers. I would be interested in trying some but at that price might as well stick with TG or W231, at least until those prices go up.

I am a big fan of Vortex. The couple I have are half the price of my Nikon and glass seems just as clear. They are reliable and so far very durable.

  Ha, my cousin almost traded his not very old 4-wheeler for a Mosin. The firearm owner had convinced him it was an extremely rare Russian sniper rifle.  I will admit I only saw pictures and did not have the firearm in hand, but it looked liked a standard 91/30 to me.    My cousin was convinced to make the trade, but took a second and contacted me first. He walked away from the guy laughing when I told him the approximate value, even if it was a Sniper Mosin Bud's sells them for around $500ish from what I saw at the time.