kc17

Nick at Northeast responded already, made a suggestion and since he only has one 9mm coated that part is easy. $26 for 250 I'll give them a go.

I think I just had an epiphany. The main differences (besides weight) is the nose and base profiles. If I can find 3-5 recipes using the same powder, same primers and similar profile bullets; I should be able to avg them out and come up with my recipe? Does that sound feasible?

I was leaning towards the 124g CN FB as a "middle of the road/avg" bullet. Earlier research led me to believe I should pick the bullet first, then the powder and lastly the primer. I plan to be in a LGS Monday and I was going to see if they had anything while I was there.

I had read previously (and again here) that coated would fall someplace in between lead & jacketed. The manuals I have do not list the bullet's dimensions though, only the COL. I understand the bullet's shape & dimension impacts the recipe significantly, so I would not know what to start with. I absolutely plan to start at a lower load and work my way up. I've emailed IbejiHeads & Northeast asking if they can provide me mold data or a recipe. I'd like to use one of them since they're local and the overall cost savings would be significant.

https://www.anjrpc.org/page/A_Strikeforce

My multiple manuals & two smaller reference guides arrived today. A quick look revealed none of them mention IbejiHead, or any coated bullets at all for that matter. Which leads me away from IbejiHeads, for now at least. I'd rather start off with a published recipe. At least now I have many and can begin to pick out the individual components and hopefully get them ordered. My die set arrived today also, last thing I'm waiting on is the shell holder and then I should be ready to go equipment-wise.

I read about that online. One suggestion was to use lead fishing weights.

Next question is on barrel & bullet sizes. Using Ibejiheads as an example, they offer three sizes for 9mm, .356, .357 & .358. I measured the muzzle of three 9mm barrels, they were .346, .347 & .348. Assuming my caliper is accurate (I'm using a budget Rockler digital caliper I bought for woodworking), I'd want the .356 bullet, right? Do my measured diameter sizes sound right or should I suspect the accuracy of my readings?

The above was my point. Since I do not have a current pressing need for ammo, I'm debating if I should wait to purchase reloading supplies. I know how high factory ammo prices are now; I don't know how high bullet, primer & powder pricing is currently since I have not priced them before. It would be a shame to pay top dollar now only to see pricing drop 25% in a month. Edit to add: Yes, it would be even worse not to buy now and prices go up another 25% or have no stock available. I'm not expecting anyone to predict the future. I'm just trying to determine avg pricing during "normal" times.

I've been fighting pushing down. I haven't attached the Mantis to see if I still am.

Guess I got it backwards?

Website has minimal information. I like that they have sample packs. Prices include shipping & insurance, so I don't know what I'd save. I guess I need to call or email. I don't mind going near Newark, but I won't be going in Newark.

100 Rounds today with the flat trigger. I'm very happy. I still fight pushing down, but I managed to get it straight down, not the down and to the left I usually do. It's also more comfortable. And yes, I collected my brass for those of you following my thread in the reloading section.

When you say 11 cents for 9mm coated, you must be basing that on the price you paid for the components back whenever, not now, right? Because I have not seen any jacketed or plated bullets for under ~12 cents right now. Primers seem to be going for around 3 cents each. I haven't attempted to price powder per round yet since there are so many variables; but I'm guessing I'd be between 16 and 20 cents per round all in (using "free" cases). That's ok with factory pricing right now, but not worth my time at factory pricing 6 months ago. I do not hunt, nor am I currently into long distance rifle, so for me reloading is about cost, not performance. I'm not saying that won't change in the future, but currently that's where I'm at.

The last several hours of research has driven me a little batty. It's great that there's so many options, but it makes deciding difficult. I've concluded I should start by choosing the projectile I want to use, then look for a powder that works well with it and/or I can find the recipe for. Primers seem to have the least options to choose from and the main difference is the hardness. I've read more than one source rate them as Federal the hardest, CCI the softest and Remington in the middle. I'm less clear on which I should use. I figure between the factory ammo I have on hand an what I can scrounge at the range I shouldn't need to buy cases for a long time, if ever. I still haven't decided on the projectile! I know I want jacketed or plated and that's about it. 147grain American Eagle has been my go-to simply because I've never had a problem with it and it seems to run cleaner than other brands I've shot. Of course a lower weight projectile will drop my costs even more. For now at least, reloads would be dedicated to practice and competitions (whenever they restart). I plan to stick with factory ammo for home defense use. I've order the needed die set and case holder as well as some manuals. With any luck the manuals will help me decide. In the meantime I should start looking at what is available locally as well. I've never bothered to look before.

I found tales of people saying they could reload 9mm for 13-14 cents /round as recently as 4-6 months ago. I'm seeing bullets alone in that price range currently, so prices have gone up. I know my costs will be higher in the beginning since I won't be buying bulk until I know the recipe works for me.

A friend of mine gifted me his reloading equipment when he moved out of the Country a few years ago. I've finally taken inventory of what I have vs what I need. Looks like he didn't do any 9mm, which is mostly what I shoot, so I know I need the die set and casing holder. Otherwise I think I'm good. I started to look at prices on primers, powder and bullets and noticed a fair amount of no-stock on some. Also, since I have never priced these components, I have no idea if these prices are higher than they were 3-4 months ago like factory ammo is/was. I am not "in need of ammo right now", if I was I'd pony up the cash for factory stuff. Last time I was in a LGS they had a case of 9mm for $250, I paid $200 at the same shop over the Winter and just before the lock downs. If individual components have had a similar increase percentage wise, it would make sense for me to wait. If pricing has not gone up, or it's a minimal increase I'd buy now (once I determine what I'm buying). I'd hope the current pricing is at the high side and would start to drop; but it's also an election year, so who knows.

Flat trigger is installed. Went much smoother than on Sunday since I knew what not to do. Total operation well under 30 min, closer to 15. Initial impressions are positive. Reserving full judgement until I can live fire. But I'd be surprised if I had any desire to put the factory curved trigger back in.

Not yet. I was waiting until I knew I had a couple of uninterrupted hours available while I was calm. The last few days of work have left me too angry. I want to be calm while I'm doing it.

For anyone that might be curious. I picked up a flat trigger Saturday. Started to take apart the FCU on Sunday to install it. Go to the point where I needed to remove the pin that holds the trigger in place.....and noticed no hole in the new trigger....wrong trigger. The guy at the shop that pulled it off the wall didn't realize it and neither did I. Had some trouble putting everything back together, but figured it out. Went back to the shop today to do an exchange. I was 5th in line outside (shop only allows three in the store at once). About 20-25 min wait to get in, in and out in about a minute. Had to be a dozen people outside waiting to get in when I left.

Too bad you couldn't get up and running six months ago. I think you'd be doing some good business about now based on what I've seen at another LGS. I think I already wished you well, if not, Best Wishes, more LGS in NJ is definitely a good thing in my eyes.

I don't know that my finger IS moving off the trigger. The bottom of my finger (or side, where it would contact middle finger) is contacting something. You still have the stock curved trigger?

I wanted to highlight this part. Courts have ruled a visible gun case give cops probable cause for a search. https://www.thenewspaper.com/news/41/4110.asp

This P365 is my first SIG, and my comparisons are to my M&P Shield and full-size. I Shot 100 rounds yesterday and another 50 today, to confirm my feelings from yesterday. There's not a huge discrepancy between the two from an accuracy stand point, although I am a tad bit more accurate with the Shield. My concern is I don't like the trigger of the P365. There's two parts to my dislike; it is a tad heavy and it is uncomfortable. By uncomfortable I mean there is more felt pressure on my trigger finger than I am used to (related to the heavy feeling) Also, it feels as though the meat of my finger gets rolled over rubs between the trigger and the inside of the guard. I do not have large hands/fingers. I'm wondering if these might be resolved with a flat trigger? I'd like to know if anyone else had similar feelings and more importantly, did a flat trigger improve your experience?

Friday 0700. Several new BS regulations along with the opening. Also, members, spouses and offspring only, no guests. Edit to add: Outdoor only, indoor range remains closed.