Caste Boolits in 03A3 Springfield

[Sliver Shooter]

I recently sporterized an 03A3 that had been worked on prior to my owning it. A new HS barrel had been put on and a williams target peep sight added. I have decided, because it has been altered in a way that a scope cannot be mounted and it has the rear peep sight, I would load caste Boolits for it. It would probably be a 200yd rifle, with my failing eyes. Has anyone had good accuracy with a particular load for the 30-06? I have several molds in various weights for 30cal. Not sure which would be the better choice. I would like to see some tryed and true loads.

[runfiverun]

my 03 likes really likes the 311041 on top of 19grs of 2400.
I don't know why cause my 1917 doesn't like the load at all.

[Scharfschuetze]

Springfields make excellent cast boolit rifles and they do well at longer ranges (way past your goal of 200 yards) with heavier boolits.

Check out the sticky "The Load" regarding various boolit weights and powders in the Ought-Six. My independent experience virtually duplicates the Author's writing. As you'll note, many powders and boolit weights work well in what is arguably one of the best cast boolit cartridges out there. My best loads with 150 to 210 grain cast boolits all leave the muzzle between 1800 and 1900 fps. Others get it going faster, but this velocity really keeps the groups tight, leaves no leading when sized to .310" and lubed with the old NRA formula of 50/50 ALOX in my rifles.

For 200 yard shooting, I'd suggest:

Lyman 311299, 311332 or 311334 (or their clones from NOE or others)
Linotype or Lyman #2 both work well, but I've done well with softer alloys.
Any quality case
Any quality large rifle primer
H or IMR 4895 powder

Start at about 30 grains and work up till you are happy. I usually end up at about 33 or 34 grains for best results from a 1903 or 1903A3. At about 33 or 34 grains, the load will start to function and shoot reliably in my M1 Garands also. Depending on your rifle, you'll see good results at about this charge and the velocity should be between 1,800 and 1,900 fps.

Many reloaders use a Dacron filler with 4895 and report increased uniformity and accuracy when doing so.

[rundownbear]

does anyone use the 311413 much? Any accurate load data for it? I have a double cavity in that I was thinking of trying

[marlin39a]

I have a 6 groove Smith Corona 03/A3 in perfect condition, unfired by me. I got it from a guy who bought it pre-68. I just bought the Noe 311-198-GC, the clone of the Lyman 308365. I'll be working with it over the Winter.

[Walstr]

RE: Lyman #311041 mold; Does anyone have OAL & Nose dimensions for this booltit? Is it a 'bore rider' style?

[runfiverun]

it is a bore engraving style.
mine makes about .301 on the nose and I size to .310

[trixter]

I use Lee C309-150-F and use Lee Liquid Alox, run them through Lee 309 sizer to size and apply gas check, then coat them again with the LLA. Very accurate up to 100 yards with 17 gr Unique. YMMV

[243winxb]

Lyman 311041 pushed by IMR4895 in a 1903 rifle. Dont have the gun, data or mould any more. Wish i did. Even put a new $25 GI barrel on it. Gunsmith charged me $5 to headspace it. The good old days, gone forever.

[Char-Gar]

does anyone use the 311413 much? Any accurate load data for it? I have a double cavity in that I was thinking of trying

311413 is Lyman's version of the "Squibb" bullet. This bullets was designed by a fellow with the surname Squibb from Lima Ohio. It was a very popular bullet back in the day with versions being made by Lyman, Cramer, Belding & Mull and Hensley & Gibbs.

It is a very accurate bullets, but if you try and push it much faster than 1,600 fps, accuracy goes out the window. At 1,400 to 1,600 fps it is as accurate as any, and more accurate than many. You can shoot it without the gas check at 1,000 to 1,200 and it will do quite well. As always temper of the bullet, powder type and charge makes a difference.

[Char-Gar]

I recently sporterized an 03A3 that had been worked on prior to my owning it. A new HS barrel had been put on and a williams target peep sight added. I have decided, because it has been altered in a way that a scope cannot be mounted and it has the rear peep sight, I would load caste Boolits for it. It would probably be a 200yd rifle, with my failing eyes. Has anyone had good accuracy with a particular load for the 30-06? I have several molds in various weights for 30cal. Not sure which would be the better choice. I would like to see some tryed and true loads.

Any decent bullets that fits the throat and lands, cast of the right alloy, with a good lubricant and with a proper charge of powder that fits the alloy temper and velocity will do. Any bullet in the 150 to 210 range that is.

Any such 150 - 210 grain gas check bullets fired over 15 - 19 grains of 2400, 4759 or 4227 will make you happy once you find the sweet spot.

[skeet1]

The Lee 312-185 sized .310 or .311 with 16 gr. of 2400 works very well in My 03-A3. It shoots better that I can hold.

Ken

[abunaitoo]

I just shot my 1903 last weekend with cast boolets.
Used a 310/198gr GC. I think it's a NOE. 14.0 Blue dot.
Nice light load.
1" to 3" at 100yds.

[rintinglen]

Mine does pretty well with the 311-466 over 20 grains of 2400, or 32.5 grains of IMR 3031, but I'll bet there are thousands of possible combinations that will shoot well. People have been loading cast in the 30-06 for well over a hundred years now.

[Walstr]

my 03 likes really likes the 311041 on top of 19grs of 2400.
I don't know why cause my 1917 doesn't like the load at all.

Greetings; What DOES your M1917 like? I'm trying to eval molds & loads myself. I received IMR4198 & BLC2 [donated], so would like to use this lifetime supply. Thanks.