A303

[BLTsandwedge1]

Just this past Friday I joined this honorable fraternity of milsurp bullet casters. If you don't mind I'll set a while because my rifle casting experience is all of about 120 rounds. I do have some observations though- that need verification and perhaps a recommendation or two from you all.

The first round out of my newly purchased A303 was a 311041, water dropped and allox (not liquid) lubed via lyman's press and .309 sizing die. The load was 14 grains of Unique. I got a group about the size of a half-dollar with 10 rounds- I consider it pretty good considering my eyesight and lack of rifle shooting (I did 20 years of pistol stuff).

As I increased the velocity- moving to 24 or so grains of IMR 3031 and the same bullet- the groups opened up significantly. With relatively heavy loads of IMR 4350 the bullets scattered. So, I need some help getting the 311041 (or a different design for that matter- heavier?) to around 2,000fps and maintain target accuracy at 100 yards. My uneducated guess is that the lube is failing at anything past 1,600-1,800 fps mark. Could this be the case? The alloy I'm using is about 1/10 ww/Sn and the water drop seems to make 'em pretty damn hard.

BTW, the rifle loves 220grain Hornady JSPs with 50grains of IMR 4350. Is this a clue to something?

Thanks for letting me in fellas, casting for rifle- especially milsurp- is truly the test of all the skills a reloader can muster.

Regards.........

[Bob S]

Welcome!

I'm curious as to why you think you need 2000 fps for 100 yard shooting. Your load with Unique is probably around 1600 fps, and if your getting half-dollar sized groups at 100 yards, I'd say your ready to rock 'n roll. My match load for 200 yard "as-issued" shooting with the '03 and the 03A3 is 15 to 18 grains 2400 with 311291. The exact charge depends on what "zero's" with the crude sights. My velocities are anywhere from 1400 to 1750 fps, they stay confortably within the ten-ring of the SR target at 200 yards, and that's good enough to win matches.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Welcome!

I'm curious as to why you think you need 2000 fps for 100 yard shooting. Your load with Unique is probably around 1600 fps, and if your getting half-dollar sized groups at 100 yards, I'd say your ready to rock 'n roll. My match load for 200 yard "as-issued" shooting with the '03 and the 03A3 is 15 to 18 grains 2400 with 311291. The exact charge depends on what "zero's" with the crude sights. My velocities are anywhere from 1400 to 1750 fps, they stay confortably within the ten-ring of the SR target at 200 yards, and that's good enough to win matches.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

And on the eight day he made 2400.

[BLTsandwedge1]

Welcome!

I'm curious as to why you think you need 2000 fps for 100 yard shooting. Your load with Unique is probably around 1600 fps, and if your getting half-dollar sized groups at 100 yards, I'd say your ready to rock 'n roll. My match load for 200 yard "as-issued" shooting with the '03 and the 03A3 is 15 to 18 grains 2400 with 311291. The exact charge depends on what "zero's" with the crude sights. My velocities are anywhere from 1400 to 1750 fps, they stay confortably within the ten-ring of the SR target at 200 yards, and that's good enough to win matches.

Resp'y,
Bob S.


I dunno. I've nothing to compare results- no experience base 'cept as a kid I shot 3/8 inch groups with a scoped .243 and 75g JHPs. The velocity is simply a curiosity- what makes the threshold what it is.

Thanks and regards.......