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So yesterday, I decided to take the side plate off my Smith M67 ("-7"; purchased new in 2014) and clean the hammer/trigger mechanisms. After I put it back together, it won't function. When I pull the trigger in dbl action, it'll advance the cylinder as usual, but then the trigger gets real...

Today I loaded 100 185gn DEWC's for 44 Special; followed by 314 148gn DEWC's for 38 Special. That exhausted my supply of Bullseye. A quick history. I'll try to be brief . . . I first started loading in 1984. I started with the whole spectrum of Alliant (then Hercules) pistol/shotgun powders...

Hi gang, Since I got my 629 w/5" bbl, I've been meaning to do this work up. Prior, my only 44 was a 629 w/8-3/8" bbl. I was a recoil junkie back when I was shooting my 8" "Dirty Harry." The 5" + 30 years of aging requires something a little more tame. It was only natural that HS-6 got the...

I took my chronograph out to the range today to test four factory 357 Magnum defense rounds. What made this fun and different is that I used three S&W 686 revolvers - a 3" bbl, a 4" bbl, & and 8-3/8" bbl. These are all 10-round samples. An expensive day :p. First up - Federal 130 grain...

I thought I'd drag my three Smith 686's out to the range and chronograph some of my more common loadings. I have three 686's: a 3", a 4", and an 8-3/8" safe queen. Just for fun, I wanted to see how different barrel lengths performed in the real world. All are 10-round samples. First on the...

Feeling nostalgic today. I'm good with dates so it wasn't so odd that this was one of the first things I thought of waking up this morning . . . 30 years ago today, on 6/6/86 I acquired (15 day waiting period in California back then) my 686 (no dash) 4" bbl (new). I was a long barrel guy back...

Looked at the calendar and realized today is June 4th. I loaded my first round on June 4th 1984 - 32 years ago today. (I'm really good remembering dates - have no idea why - I'm just wired that way, I guess.) I remember that it was 38 Special; Speer 158 swaged lead round nose. I'm not 100%...

I know I'm human. And I've had plenty of life's humbling moments to know that I'm quite capable of making mistakes. But in 32 years, and what must be about 150,000 rounds by my best guestimate, I had yet to load a flawed round. Until today. Just came back from the range. I had my first...

I already did a search and found some stuff on this topic. And I know this topic has been beat up pretty good; but please take it easy on me. I want my specific situation addressed in its own context. Background: I love 1911's. I have three. All full-size; all 45 ACP; a Colt 'Series 80'; a...

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. A few...

Forever is a long time. But I believe I'm done loading with W296 (Or H-110). I finished my existing # by putting 22.5 grains under a 240gn JSP - quantity 50. And that's that. The end of a 30-year era. W296 is a great "magnum speed" propellant and I've loaded a many o' good rounds with it...

Hello everybody. I did a work up for 45 ACP, using the Hornady 230 grain XTP bullet, with HS-6 under. I got out to the range yesterday to chrono them . . . Gun: Springfield Mil-Spec - near new; full-size; 5" bbl; Wilson Combat 20 Lb recoil spring, with shock buffer. Chronograph is a Chrony...

Yesterday was a range chronograph day with one of my 1911's. Among the load recipes to be tested was a 185 JHP using Power Pistol. Looking in my chronograph notes from a couple years ago, I found that I had already loaded these bullets at 8.8 and 9.0 grains. My 8.8 notes state "need to work...

Hi, I recently purchased a new Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum. I've put a whopping 45 rounds through it thus far - shoots nice. At any rate, I want to mount a scope on it, and quite literally, don't even know where to begin. I can see it's tapped for a scope mount - but that's all I know. (Been...

I've been loading for handguns for over 30 years; but have yet to load a single rifle cartridge. I have two AR-15 lowers that will be assembled soon. The remainder forthcoming shortly thereafter. I figure to have two working AR's by Spring. Anyway, I need to buy some factory ammo that has...

So a couple weeks ago, I purchased and received 500 X-treme 200gn FP's (plated, of course) for 45 ACP. These bullets are new to me so I needed to determine the OAL. Well frankly, I was too lazy to dismantle my 1911's (3) to do the plunk tests. And I have the OAL recommendations for the entire...

Okay, I kind of made the transition to long gun ownership - I purchased two AR-15 lowers. Up 'till now, I've only owned handguns. Figured it was past time to have a couple AR's. I'll build them in due time; and "I know a guy," as it were, who will help me. My question is about brass. I will...

Hello all. I shoot a lot of target level rounds, especially with revolver. Over the last few years, with the prompting of the shortage, I have tried a lot of different powders. Some have suited my needs well. And some have not. TiteGroup was among the "have not" group. Basically, it's too...

I poked my head into my local Sportsmen's Wareshouse to get some ultrasonic cleaner. While I was there, I took a look at their powder supply - naturally. I was very surprised to see AA#7, TiteGroup; and get this: HP-38. Yes, HP-38. That was not a typo :D There were only two 1#'s, but they...

Kimber Custom Target II. There's a million ways to go with a 1911. And I'm not a particular fan of Kimber. But this model has everything I was looking for: match grade barrel/bushing; crisp "target" trigger; large adjustable sights. And doesn't have anything I don't need: stainless...