Lyman 311644?

[richhodg66]

Found a few of these in my Dad's stuff, but don't remember finding a mold in his stuff. Quite possibly he traded it off, he doesn't seem to remember much about it.

Anyone have any experience with one? Seems a rather unorthodox design. I sized these to .311 and checked them today, gonna try them in .308. My latest Lyman manual doesn't have any data for it. Just wondered if anybody had any experience with it and if it might be worth chasing down a mold for (I have a lot of .30 caliber molds now). Guess I'll see how it shoots in the next few days.

[Gewehr-Guy]

I have that mould and have used it in a 1903a3, and it shot well, and Iv'e loaded a few with different powders this winter for further testing, but this weather just won't give us a break. I think it would be an excellent bullet for a krag, with a .301 nose and tapering to .311 bands. Not sure what the nose grooves really do, other than hold a little more tumble lube.

[richhodg66]

Thanks. It sure looks like it ought to be a good one in theory. It must not have sold well, and like I said, no data in Lyman's latest book.

I got a rifle a few months back that is going to be a dedicated cast bullet rifle for bench shooting here on my place, so am about to embark on an accuracy hunt. I have quite a few 311466 cast up which seems like it was my Dad's favorite for target work. Once I get a feel for what the rifle likes with cast, I'll try these 311644s and see if it's worth hunting down a mold.

[gnoahhh]

I always thought it to be an odd duck, Rich. Sort of an answer to a question never asked. I await your test results.

[Maven]

Ly. #311644 was introduced in the early 1990's and designed by Ed Schmitt to fit the ball seat of .30cal. rifles. I owned one and it shot very well in my Mod. 70 Win. .30-06 even though it was a trifle undersized. However, it shot no better than other molds/CB designs I later acquired, e.g., a CBE 185gr. bore rider that I purchased on eBay or Saeco #315. Btw, it shot very accurately when sized to .309" for my Swiss K-31's.

P.S. Lyman modified the design, particularly the nose, and renumbered it to #311672