Saeco #301

[sundog]

Went to the range today, and it was big time windy. Anyway, I had to fire form some case in another gun, so while I was there I couldn't help but try yet another load in the 03A3 suitable for mil bolt matches. I've tried this load on and off for a bit now and settled on 21.0/IMR4227. I'm using Lee collet neck sized LCNM cases (many times fired), Rem 9 1/2 primers, no wad. The boolits are heat treated last winter (like a year ago), and seated out so the two groove rifling leaves a smear mark, the case mouth is about half way on the front band. I took only 25 rounds as it was just a test and not the primary reason for the range trip. More like something to do in between bbl cooling on the other gun.

Well, after fooling with the alternate load now for awhile, I may go ahead and shoot it in some matches. The first 10-round group was 2.270, but 9 rounds were 1.560. Did I mention the wind earlier? The second group, shot later when it was even windier (playing with the other gun for awhile), was 2.790 strung out horizontaly, but 6 shots in a cluster 1.265. Even my groups from the other gun I was working were getting pushed around a bit.

I've been working with the 301 on and off for awhile, and I'm beginning to like it real well. I think I will shoot this load in the next mil bolt match in March. sundog

btw, Felix lube and GB GCs. Alloy was WWs, shot, and solder - heat treat last January (2006) and harder than the hubs of haides.

[Char-Gar]

Corky

I have a good SAECO 301. I picked it up with handles from a older fellow who was getting out of casting. The mold and handles are pristine and from the early 80s. He also included a wealth of data ploted out on a graph using 4759 and 4227. I am almost embarassed about the low price, but he want it to have a good home. I will certainly attempt to do that.

I plan on filling the pot with Lino and doing a long run of SAECO 301, 311407 Mod. and 311467. Cast from Lino the SAECO will run .301 on the nose, .300 with other alloys. What size are your bullets?

[sundog]

Charles, btw that's my given name also, but I do not answer to it (except sometimes when I am in REAL trouble - see Enfield's thread about the avatar), ...

My # 301s are .301 on the nose and .312 on the driving band. Part line is almost not visable. Really nice mould to operate. Mine is a 4-banger that drops boolits so close you can't tell the cavities apart.

Now, about giving that mould a good home. I'm thinking that there's not going to be any problem. sundog

[cbrick]

Interesting, my SAECO's In 30 cal are: #311, #630, #315, #316, #305, #307 but no #301. I'd be interested your accuracy, velocity and the twist rate. Also if you happen to know how hard those hubs are and any leading? Thanks,

Rick

[trk]

Went to the range today, and it was big time windy.
...

Windy here too. Must be that the barbed wire fence between us (somewhere in Missouri or Illinois) must be broken.

Tim K
(in Virginia)

[sundog]

Cbrick, hardness? Don't know, I have no testing equipment. They're hard enough after heat treat that I would NOT use them for hunting, for sure. Without equipment, I can't tell you a number. What I can tell you, they are very hard after the heat treat.

Twist in the 03A3 is 10 and it's an original 2-groove Rem barrel, circa 8-43.

Leading? None. Barrel looks like it's just been cleaned. That's normal for 4227 and Felix lube though.

Velocity? They have not been chrono'd. But, my guess is about 1650. I have chrono'd the RCBS 30-180-SP with the same charge at ~1650 and those weighed in the 185 range IIRC. The 301s are in the 196 range. Should be close.

I noticed that your 'Location' says 'At the Silhouette Range'. Are you thinking 'silhouette boolit'??? sundog

[sundog]

Naw, Tim, it's all them dang blasted cattle ranchers puttin' in cattle guards and takin' out gates that's causin' all the havoc. Wind blows right plum over them. Blows plum through'em, I tell ya! Put up a good fence and good gate and it wouldna be happenin'. sundog

[cbrick]

sundog, no, not for silhouette. Just interested in the SAECO 30's. I've worked with several of them in 308 and 30-30 but not the 301.

Most all of my silhouette shooting these days is with my best friend named Mr Shiny Shooter. Mr Shooter is a Model 83 Freedom Arms 9" 357. He has won several matches and he was kind enough to allow me to hold him while he did it.

Rick

[ELFEGO BACA]

My Saeco 301 is a two banger but I enjoy shooting it in my Remington made 1903 Springfield. One load is 20.0 grains of SR4759, while the second load is 42.2 grains of H4831. Both do good for me shooting offhand at a 200 yard 'gong'. I use CCI200 primers and commercial or military brass:)