Lee 311-93-1R accuracy

[Norseman]

I casted these, and sized them to .312 (haven't miked them as cast). My alloy is 6%SB, 2%SN, 92%PB. The bullets were cast 9 days ago.

They were a perfect fit in the cylinder throats of my Ruger SP-101 (a slight push sent them through). The Ruger is a .327 Federal Magnum, but I use .32 Magnum brass. I've only seen 1 .327 Federal Magnum casing, and that was in an envelope supplied with the gun when I bought it.

When I tried them on the range today, the target looked like I had shot a load of buckshot through a shotgun. I used Vihtavuori N-320 and N-340 in different weights wich gave a velocity of 850-950 f/s.

They didn't lead, they just flew everywhere. So much for the thought of replacing the 2 hole mould RCBS .32-98-SWC as a competition boolit with the Lee 6 hole mould.

But all is not lost. I can still use it to cast 92 gr boolits (almost pure lead - mostly from airgun bullets) that I swage to HBWC for use in my Walther GSP in .32 S&W Long.

But - is there any other members that have good experience with the 311-93-1R bullet - preferably in .32 magnum?

[Larry Gibson]

I've not used the Lee 311-93-1R but I do use a similar Lyman bullet, 311227, ; a 92 gr RN bullet. I also use Lee's TL314-90-SWC. Both are cast of scrap alloys and or range lead, sized .312" and lubed with LLA or Javelina. I shoot them out of my M30 S&W .32L, a Ruger SS (original run) and a 10" TC Contender. The load is 2.7 gr in the S&WL and 3 gr Bullseye in the .32 H&R. Accuracy is always exceptional with velocities running from 875 fps up through 1121 fps. I am not familiar with the Vihtavuori powders because Bullseye and Unique aren't broke and don't need fixed on this side of the pond.

If that SP-101 shoots well with other bullets then I'd suggest a change in powders. Seeing as how you are in Norway you might not have access to Bullseye. N320 and N340 are both slower than Bullseye and N240 is slower than Unique which I've found to not work that well with the light 90 gr or so bullets in the .32s at the lower velocities you're using. If you can get N310 I would suspect it to work as well as Bullseye. I'd start at 2 gr and work up to 3 gr in your .327. Not a max pressure load but I'd bet accuracy will come within that range of powder charge.

I also use both of those bullets in most of my .30/.31 cal CF cartridge rifles over 2.7 to 3.2 gr of Bullseye depending on case volume. Velocity is in the 800 fps range, accuracy excelent and the fun factor is pegged out. I'd think N310 would do just as well for such "cat's sneeze" loads.


Larry Gibson

[Shooter6br]

I have both the 93 g lee and the 90g Lee SWC.I use 4,3 grains of Universal with the 90. I find the SWC design a little better for defence and small game hunting. I like the TL design of the 90 SWC.I use JP and tumble lube them. Lee molds at 17 to 19 bucks you can experiment without paying higher prices :castmine:

[Norseman]

If that SP-101 shoots well with other bullets then I'd suggest a change in powders. Seeing as how you are in Norway you might not have access to Bullseye. N320 and N340 are both slower than Bullseye and N240 is slower than Unique which I've found to not work that well with the light 90 gr or so bullets in the .32s at the lower velocities you're using. If you can get N310 I would suspect it to work as well as Bullseye. I'd start at 2 gr and work up to 3 gr in your .327. Not a max pressure load but I'd bet accuracy will come within that range of powder charge.

Larry Gibson

Larry, I've got VihtaVuori N-310, N-320, N-340, N-105 and N-110, so I'll try the N-310. Thank you very much for your help!

Best Regards,
Runar

[Larry Gibson]

Runar

Let us know how that N310 works out as many do use those powders this side of the pond. I'm just old, set in my ways and have a couple kegs of the Bullseye and Unique to use before I venture forth with something new.

Larry Gibson

[Norseman]

Larry:

I hate to inform you that the N-310 didn't do any trics whatsoever. So I'll use the boolit as a basis for swageing HBWC and load them up with 2.0 grains of N-310.

And continue to use the RCBS 32-98-SWC as the preferred boolit (only because the cartridge looks better with that SWC than with the WC.

Best Regards,
Norseman

[Leftoverdj]

Norseman, I think you are giving up early. At least keep that mould in mind for when you can get proper cases. That long jump and short bearing surface may be causing your problems.

[gds]

I have used the Lee 311-93-1R sized down too .310 for my M1 .30 carbine. I use 12.8 grains of 2400 and get around 1900 fps with no leading, which I can't figure out. I get a descent grouping. About minute of milk jug at 25 yds offhand.