311284

[LowPE]

311284

This 210 grain 30 caliber boolit is an oldie and to my mind a classic. I have been casting only about 12 years and certainly have only scratched the surface of this art, but I have managed to gather these facts about this boolit.

It is one of the original 5 gas check boolits designed by Dr. Barlow (according to Col. Harrison's book). Originally designed for the Krag, but an excellent performer in 30-06, from Lyman's online catalog.

I have an article by Frank Marshall where he used it in CBA competition to do very, very well and he started off the development from an older relative's dope book who used it to excellent results in his day. This article was reprinted in the Lyman Cast Bullet guide 2nd edition.

I use it, along with Bob S.'s load, to shoot in my M1. Now, another generation of shooters, my 13 year old son, is using it in his 700 BDL with 2400. We are just starting and will explore many different loads. What a physics lesson.

If you have any stories of the 311284 or other bits of history I would love to hear them. Most references to cast boolits here refer to loadings, which is great and very helpful, but I enjoy learning the history too.

[Char-Gar]

Barlow's designs have survived over a hundred years and are still top choices. 311284 and 311291 are still among the best. Both of these bullets use have a design that is roughly 50% n nose and 50% body. These bullet will give decent accuracy in a wide variety of barrel specs. I don't know if he was a genius or just lucky.

[mroliver77]

I have an old single cav ideal 311284 that drops .310/.300. Very accurate and deadly in every .30 I have tried it in. Even Bulls Eye loads with no check are very accurate! One of my favorites!
Jay

[AZ-Stew]

I recently bought this mould to use with my "new" 1917 "Enfield" 30-06 WWII rifle. I haven't shot any yet, but I have a bunch cast up from linotype ready to check, lube and load. I may try them in my Garand and Rem. 700 before I shoot them from the Enfield. I'm worried that the Enfield has a rough bore. If I can get it clean and smooth I'll try the cast.

Regards,

Stew

[Good Cheer]

Does this design work in a 12" twist?

[Marlin Junky]

Does this design work in a 12" twist?

Yes, but you may need to push it to 1900 fps or better to achieve accuracy at long range .

MJ

[x101airborne]

I recently bought this mould to use with my "new" 1917 "Enfield" 30-06 WWII rifle. I haven't shot any yet, but I have a bunch cast up from linotype ready to check, lube and load. I may try them in my Garand and Rem. 700 before I shoot them from the Enfield. I'm worried that the Enfield has a rough bore. If I can get it clean and smooth I'll try the cast.

Regards,

Stew

Stew, i shoot a lot of mausers and you know how those bores can be. Try taking some plain lapping compound, i usually start at 220 grit for bad bores, roll a couple loaded linotype slugs in it and fire with a mildly reduced charge. I usually do 2 with 220, 3 with 550 - 600, and finish with 5 rolled in 1200 grit. clean thoroughly after each grit. I dont like using j-rounds for this, i think they are a little hard on the rifling with the comound. i never had a mauser not slick up after this, and have yet to need to do this twice.

[Will]

The 311284 has a grove above the front drive band. I've heard this is to collect dirt that may be in the bore before firing. Anyone else know what this grove was designed for?

[LowPE]

According to Harrison the 1st grove was meant to be lubricated and act as a dirt catcher. With modern powders this can be left dry..

Harrison does mention this boolit groups excellently without a gas check and with light loads, but that a lighter boolit would be more frugal.

I read that it was the first gas check boolit.

[Char-Gar]

Lead bullet are shorter/heavier for their weight than jacketed bullets. Therefore 311284 can be fired without any problems in a 1-12 twist. It is the length and not the weight of the bullet that determines how stable it is in any given barrel twist.

I once had a 03 Springfield with a 1-14 Phifer barrel. Had no problems with even the heavy weight cast bullets with that rifle.

[Marlin Junky]

The location of the center of gravity on the boolit's axis also effects its stability with respect to any given twist. If 311284 had a 358009 type nose while the overall length remained the same (granted, this would pack more weight on) then it would probably need a faster twist to stabilize.

MJ

[w30wcf]

311284
.......If you have any stories of the 311284 or other bits of history I would love to hear them. Most references to cast boolits here refer to loadings, which is great and very helpful, but I enjoy learning the history too.

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=4583

w30wcf

[Bret4207]

Barlow was a Dr.? I thought it was Mr Barlow and Dr. Hudson? The two were contemporaries and IIRC Hudson designed a few boolits that Barlow manufactured.

Just trying to keep it straight in my mind.

[LowPE]

Thanks w30wcf, that is stuff I really like reading about.

[old turtle]

Very interesting! I recently obtained a single cavity mold in excellent condition which is the 311284. As yet I have not cast any, but since I have 5 rifles in 30-06 I will be trying it. Years ago I had excellent results with 311334 which some what resembles this bullet. I am going to pick up some Unique.