1) Thanks to a co-worker, I finally saw Napoleon Dynamite. I spent the first third of the movie in slack-jawed incomprehension, and by the time it was over, I actually got a little weepy/smiley for the yutz. The movie was a lot cleverer than I initially gave it credit for. I also realized that I only have When In Rome on cassette; I need to go buy a CD...
2) Bidness has been brisk at the shop for this time of year; whatever the economy is doing, it sure isn't keeping folks from buying guns.
3) Picked up some .44 Special/.44 Magnum dies from the shop. Next payday I'll probably pick up .45 Colt. My Fearless Prediction: Reloading is going to be very popular by this time next year. Expect component shortages going into the peak season around winter time.
A few tips for new pistol reloaders: The Hornady 45 Colt 3 set Dies (stick with Carbide) are very good. They also make very good 38/357 dies. Stay away from the .30 carbine dies from Hornady, they break (repeatedly). Lee has nice .30 carbine carbide (always carbide for pistol cals unless you just love the lube) dies that won't break the bank. Be sure to pick up stuck case removers and a bullet puller (that's the hammer looking thing that you can place a overseated round in and tap on a hard surface to dislodge the bullet and recover the materials. You'll need one sooner or later.) RCBS Dies are always a winner, just more expensive. When measuring powder with a scale, always turn off fans and even the AC in the room your measuring in. A small breeze can effect the scale by several grains, causing you to overcharge a round and Blow your hand and gun up. Never smoke while reloading or around powder EVER!
ReplyDeleteWhy? Is there a coming ammo shortage? New laws coming?
ReplyDeleteWell, there's a couple of wars going on, metals prices are through the roof, transportation costs are sky high, people are hoarding because of bird flu panic and the recent almost-across-the-board 30% price increase on ammo.
ReplyDeleteWinchester has already told distributors not to expect any more .223 for the rest of the year, there's hardly any cheap import 7.62x39 to be found anywhere, Cheaper Than Dirt put a blurb inside the cover of their latest catalog explaining why they're backordered on 5.56 and .308...
Learning to reload right now just makes sense.
Carbide dies are the ONLY way to go; I've worked with the other type that you have to use with lube, and it is such a mess using it and cleaning up afterwards that is is worth the extra money for the carbide. RCBS is my favorite for my pistols.
ReplyDeleteI loved Napoleon's grandma - I know someone just like her in Dallas - used to be a stunt pilot. Oh, and in Arkansas this weekend, I saw the spitting image of Napoleon's uncle on a trade school billboard in Harrison Arkansas. There's a little Dynamite in a lot of Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteReloading was FUN for the first 100,000 rounds or so.....and 25 or 30 years ago. But, I got over it.
ReplyDeleteThats why I buy in quantity. Just ordered another two tins of 600ish rds of 7.62, which is aparently getting used up as fast as they can churn it out these days.
ReplyDeleteBeing, shall we say, "easily distracted" I have avoided reloading out of self protection.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I admit it. I have the attention span of a ferret on pixie sticks.
Still, I may have to get a basic setup to do .45ACP and .357/38. That, along with .223 would cover me for quite a bit. I'd probably just limit myself to doing 50 rounds or so at a time.
Strange thing - I just got an email for a Dallas performance venue and When In Rome is playing there in November, opening for A Flock of Seagulls.
ReplyDeleteWhen In Rome and Flock Of Seagulls!?!
ReplyDeleteNo way!
I need to dig out a huge, baggy, men's oxford shirt, everything I own that contains black lace, and a butane lighter!
And a whole metric ton of mascara.
And tickets.
Er, and at least four days off work for the roadtrip...
On second thought, scotch that. I'll go to McKay's on Friday and hope they have the CD.
Life was so much more fun in high school... :(