Recent content by al123

Used 6.5gr HS-6, CCISP with X-treme 124g HPCB RN bullet (COL: 1.155in). (For ref Hodgdon site: HS-6, range 6.0-6.6gr using the Berry's HB thick plated). I like HS-6 because it's tough to double charge (fills up the case past 50%) and meters very well. Test firearm was a Glock 19. Average...

To the OP: Congratulations on a beautiful firearm at a good price. I paid much more for mine, but still enjoy it immensely. I believe the Beretta 3901 is the 390 but without the "hump" on the receiver - also made in USA. It has the same forend nut. Beretta 3901 by al123 posted Dec 10, 2016...

3901

CCI-500s are harder. In some new/tight cases Fed-100 primers are easier to seat - especially if you hand prime. However, if you're using the leverage of a press, it probably doesn't matter. Both go bang every time.

I use the Frankford Arsenal. I do not use it as the primary measure when working up a load. That I use a 10-10 balance beam. However, it's useful for a quick check once I dial in a load, and it's easy to calibrate (comes with calibration weights).

Transitioning from an near empty bottle to a new one is a recorded (almost ceremonious) event for me. I've been fortunate that I've never mixed powders in this fashion. I've accidentally spilled powders though, then swept it up and saved it. Later, when I've planted new...

I've found any number of things can cause lack of full rotation. With the Auto drum, I've made marks on all my drums and the body to check for a consistent full 120 Deg swing. It's the first thing I do before any powder goes thru. These things I've found can prevent full rotation: 1...

The shortage seems to be easing up just a little bit, at least locally. Saw Unique, Red Dot, WST and Titegroup in the local GS recently. It's been there for a few weeks. Normally it's completely sold out. Seen a lot more pistol powder online lately. Prices are seemingly higher than...

Before doing any stoning work, just shoot it a lot - I also use snap caps. For most new Smith revolvers it'll smooth out. Kuhnhausen's book is excellent, but you may need to extrapolate some of the information since it deals more with earlier non-MIM revolvers. I've changed both main...

Pistol powders seem to come in batches. Last few months you would see Bullseye, Longshot, IMRPB etc. sequentially available. Recently Titegroup (lasted only a few days with different stores) followed by CFE Pistol. 9 months ago HP-38 was available for a narrow window. Then poof...

Each neighborhood, IMO, has its own particular problems. For instance, where I live, the police will NOT respond to an alarm unless there is an eyewitness to a burglary-in-progress. It doesn't mean alarms are useless, but smash-and-grab types know that have several minutes before the alarm...

I have relatives that keep more in their igloo ice chests on the way to the range. You couldn't even take on a family of raccoons with this 'arsenal'.