A lot of interesting discussion on this thread. To address the OP directly, the best kind of kit to have at a range would be one that can handle abrasions and small lacerations (i.e. Band aids and gauze). Sounds like you have your bases covered there.
For penetrating trauma, QC Combat...
147g Precision Delta FMJ over 3.8g WW231 gives me roughly 950fps (PF 140) out of a 5" M&P. OAL=1.120". Very mild shooting load and more accurate than I need. This same load also shoots great in a G19 and G26.
TFO sights seem like a great idea, but I have shot IDPA with a couple guys who have had to replace front sights because the FO tube cracked. That makes them less attractive in my mind for a daily carry weapon.
I have a carry gun with Meprolights and 5 with Trijicon (2 Trij 3-dot, and 3 Heinie...
NF 1-4 is well-built, but the red dot is not very bright. I looked closely at this optic, but in the end it just wasn't bright enough for daytime usage. The Swarovski 1-6 had more than enough brightness, true 1x-6x, and clearer glass. Yes, it was twice as expensive, but there is no finer...
I carry at 8 o'clock, IWB with 15 degree cant. With any pistol I carry, except 5" 1911, it is comfortable while seated. I don't notice the gun at all (g19, g26, hk p7m8, 4.25" 1911).
I'm 5'10", 175lbs. I do not routinely take the gun/holster off while driving, as it isn't uncomfortable to do...
I can shoot my P7M8 faster (without accuracy suffering) than any other handgun I own, including a G19 and an m/p pro with Burwell trigger. Yes, it gets hot after 40 rounds or so, but for defensive shooting applications it has no peer. It is my daily carry gun from Spring-Fall. It is easier...
Unless I am using a single-load sled for long-range shooting with my AR (OAL's around 2.395"), I apply a light taper crimp. Any magazine-fed ammunition should have a light taper crimp to prevent bullet set-back.
+1.
Your ES's and SD's are pretty high. It could be from the lower velocities, but I would check out your process as well. 335 meters really well and is a very accurate powder. Something else in the reloading process might be inconsistent.
I have found that h322 and h335 work better in 16" barrels than Varget, on account of the H's burning faster. Lower SD's and ES's on the chrono. 60g VMax is great for 1/9 twist for varmint hunting, and 69g Sierras or 70g Berger VLD are good for long range target shooting.
Jim,
Cleaning the seating die will likely help, but once you have done that, make sure you set it up properly if you are to seat and crimp at the same time.
Your symptoms strongly suggest that the seating/crimping timing has shifted, either from gunk in the die, or some other unseen reason...
That does happen from time to time with Glocks. My reloads aren't powerful enough to reach my head, but WWB white box does it. Down the back of my shirt, too.
Trimming pistol brass is rarely beneficial or necessary. Pistol pressure is not high enough to cause the significant brass flow that necessitates trimming.
I have a small safe bolted to the shelf in my closet that holds two handguns. Combination only. Although I cannot access it "Hollywood fast", I can get to a weapon within 5 seconds, which is the best compromise I could come up with, with 3 young kids in the house. My rationale was that, with...
Tom,
That would be a waste. Use the 500 rounds to get used to the weapon. In theory, you could pull some bullets and reload them with the Varget and sMK's if you just wanted to see if the bullets will function in your weapon. However, the "saving the hassle of case prep" is where 90% of the...