You guys nailed it!!! It is SS wire and it is increasing just a bit while firing, and then going back down consistently upon cooling. I did not know SS did this and I thought that I was doing something wrong.
My builds are around the .4 to .5 range as I feel that I have a lot to learn before trying to go super low, and potentially hurting myself. Only until I have a full working knowledge of ohm's law and can create consistent builds will I go any lower.
I actually think that I am going to try some higher builds and see how I like it, less juice and better battery life sounds good to me. I got into building so I could try it all and get a better vape experience, and so far it really has delivered.
Thanks as always for the great help and advice!!!
Some points I'll make that hopefully will give you some reassurance about building:
1. Never go below about 0.18 - 0.20 ohms (tested on an ohm reader or a regulated mod), at least until you're more experienced,
2. Keep all batteries in good shape (wraps not nicked, nothing bulging or misshapen, battery ends clean), and DON'T USE ANY that are "iffy,"
3. Buy batteries only from reputable battery vendors so you don't end up with rewraps that you can't have any confidence in,
4. When vape starts to get a little weak, don't wait to replace with a fully-charged battery,
5. Keep your mods clean,
6. Keep stray pieces of wire out of the decks of rebuildable atomizers - always find all of the pieces of wire you trim away when you're building a deck,
7. Do not leave mods and/or batteries in a hot or cold car.
8. Do not make a practice of running any mod at its capacity all the time. If its max is 80W, don't think you can run the thing at 80W all the time. Chances are the mod is single 18650, and the battery WILL overheat.
I'm sure there are more rules like these, but if you follow rules that make sense and keep your wits about you, chances are very good that you'll be absolutely fine.
I can't do the Ohm's Law math without a calculator, but I know if I never build too low, and my batteries are good, and I don't ever buy junk batteries, etc etc, I don't have to worry too much about specific details. The trick is to be absolute with it - NEVER AND ALWAYS are important. Don't ever try to bend the rules "just this once." That's when you'll run into trouble.
If I've said anything here that's in any way unwise or unclear, somebody call me on it, and I'll correct.