Jamie Jackson

I knew I'd forget one or two... Yes @Grayfox54, I do have a pound of W231. Thank you for the charge weight! AA#2 and 231 are close on their burn rates. And very clean burning as well. I'm loving the 6.3 grs AA#2 with those plated bullets. I'll load some 6 grs of 231 to shoot and chrono as well. Much obliged.

Thank you @Hozzie. I've actually never used the AA#5 before. I think I picked it up for loading .32 S&W Longs, but found a sweet load using Bullseye and stopped there. I'll check my manuals and the Accurate site for load suggestions. I'm looking forward to what your friend has to say as well.

Especially 158 gr LSWC as I plan to start casting those. I'll initially use Lee Alox coating/lube, but may start powder coating them. I'm shooting them in my old, yet in excellent condition, 686. I also have some plated (thick plating according to the website) 158 semi-wadcutter profile. (ETA: Rocky Mountain Reloads or RMR). I haven't yet had the opportunity to chronograph them, but I loaded some of these plated 158's with varying charges of AA#2 and Unique. Nice recoil impluse and more accurate than I am LOL. I'm hoping for a load in the 1000 fps range as practice ammo. Powders I have on hand: Unique Titegroup AA#2 Greendot AA#5 American select Bullseye HS-6 (ETA) W 231 (ETA) Red Dot and more than likely something else... this is just off the top on my aging head. Winchester small pistol and small pistol magnum primers. Any suggestions or favorites you care to share?

That's just weird Kev, ( ETA: meaning the CA doc requirements) I purchased a box of .32 S&W ling there 2 weeks ago and all they wanted was my money... They do scan my license when I shoot...but my very discounted membership is attached to that. Every place has their idiosyncrasies, but I don't feel particularly put out by it. ORSA (of which I've been a member of since '06) just keeps adding on restrictions and requirements. But I'm still a member. It may get worse before it gets better...

Welcome to TGO.

Welcome aboard 11B! I'll add my recommendation to ORSA. Point Blank in West Knoxville is GTG as well and not too far off of Pellissippi. They offer a Vet discount as well.

We did have a couple of years of incredibly low priced ammo and ready availability, especially when you factor in inflation. iirc in the fall of 2019 Tula or Wolf 9mm was down to around $139.00/1000. But quality brass cased 9mm was around $190.00 $200.00/k, even lower during the 2019 Black Friday sales. Most of us have seen quite a few market cycles over the years, so many prepared for the increase in price and demand. As I, and others, have mentioned. I personally don't recall nearly everything gun related being in so much demand. Of course the scarcity feeds the cycle. I just returned from shooting at Point Blank in Knoxville. I always look at the shelves and the walls. Ammo was essentially nonexistent and long guns were running low. Lot's of folks were shooting, but until supply starts catching up it makes me wonder low long that will continue. Interesting times.

I just feel bad for the new gun owners in our fold, and I'm sure there are folks logging on here at TGO that have recently embraced our culture. I'm GTG, but I've been at this for a bit now (35 years of reloading etc). I have a friend that I helped get started a few years back. But he and his wife are not "Gun people" like we are. He just purchased a Glock 44 for farm/varmint use and had very little .22 ammo. I gave him a decent supply. He said he regrets not having purchased more when it was readily available... but he didn't know what he didn't know. Most new gun owners don't have the frame of reference we old timers have. Even when we tell them, or post the warnings here, many have not yet learned the concept of the ups and downs of the gun/ammo/component supply cycles. I appreciate folks linking deals they find, even if it's not "deals" to all of us. No disrespect intended to anyone here. We have the potential in this current political climate for this to get much worse before they get better...if they even get better. Time will tell. Just my $0.02 worth...

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery RC3 !

Looks pretty good. Thank you!

I have the Clip Draws on 2 of my LCRs and love 'em. Especially because with the LCRs they don't impede the use of a pocket holster. I've never tried the longer ones that fit a J Frame. I've used the Barami Hip grip on my 640 Smith since the early 90's. They work great with a JCMK holster I have as well as an old Mika pocket holster (of which I've had several). Pardon the crummy J Frame pic...it's an older photo...

While not competition oriented, I recently received an AIWB Kydex from Tony at JM Custom Kydex for my 4" 686 S&W. It's darn nice and actually allows me to comfortably carry and conceal this revolver. FWIW this 686 was my original carry gun in the late 1980's. I carried in leather at the time, but I'm really impressed with what Tony was able to do. Great vid @JimHouchin! I promise Tony's holster won't give you guys that problem LOL https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/AIWB.html

When, or if, the component availability situation ever improves I need to pick up some BE 86. I've read it recommended on several forums. Thank you @chances R

btw, What powder are you running in your 147's?

I've shot a metric buttload of X-Treme over the years as well. Great bullets imho. But, when the cost is $25.00/1000 less and they are actually available? Kind steers me in that direction LOL I have a K of X-Treme 147's loaded with AmSel and they are, hand's down, my favorite 9mm load. Very soft shooting and totally reliable rounds.

Thanks @chances R. I'm not familiar with either company, but looked up DG. Good pricing. I generally prefer 147's in 9mm. I have some 147's en route from Hoosiers but may give DG a try as well.

Just wanted to give a head's up about Hi-Tek coated 125 gr 9mm bullets I ordered from Hoosier Bullets and Training. These cost me $67.00/1000. ($75.00 with shipping). I ordered them on 12/22 and had them about a week later. They seem to be somewhat hit or miss on their stock, but update frequently. I've shot many thousands of Powder Coated bullets, but these are my first using the Hi-Tek process. I like 'em! I loaded up some using 5.0 grs of Unique and 5.5 grs Unique (It's the powder I have the greatest supply of currently and I like Unique anyway, so there's that). My Shield likes the 5.0 grs best. This should run around 1050 fps out of my G19, which I usually use to chrono my handloads. I actually need to chrono these so I'm not just guessing... I shot them at ranges from 3 yards to 15 yards today in my Glock 19 and S&W Shield. No issues in any manner. I know components of all sorts are scarce these days. I'm glad I learned of these folks. Anyone else using Hi-Tek coated bullets? If so, what makers or do you coat your own? Please ignore the notes on the Everglades and Rocky Mountain Reloads...previous range session notes...

Good Lord @kvmx00! I hope you and all involved are OK. Wow. What a way to start 2021...

I hate it that you just might be right.

Well this pretty much sums up my feelings about this... After 2020, all I can say is Hang On! But I certainly wish everyone and Blessed and truly Happy New Year!

I appreciate the head's up @Beltfed. I don't personally have a need...but there's always that want thing LOL You just never know. It is still 2020 for a few more hours

I'm not familiar with them, but appreciate the head's up. Thank you. Does anyone know anything about them? I did read their "About Us" on their website. Just being cautious, not negative.

Welcome. Glad to have you here.

Praying everyone is, and will remain, safe and sound. 2020 just won't stop...

Merry Christmas to our TGO Family! God Bless and keep you all.