311041

[nighthunter]

I have been thinking about buying a 311041 mold for use in 30-06. It would mostly see use in my Smith Corona 03-A3. This rifle isn't real particular about the loads I have fed it for the last 43 years. It seems to shoot just about anything I load for it with jacketed bullets. I want one good cast bullet for it. Is the 311041 a good choice?
Nighthunter

[sundog]

I think you would have better success with the 311291 or 311299. sundog

[w30wcf]

nighthunter,

Regarding Lyman, I would agree with Sundog. I would also add 311662 and 311332.

The RCBS 165 SIL and 180 SP would also be good choices.

Decisions, Decisions.....

Good luck,
w30wcf

[Uncle Grinch]

I second the vote on Lyman's 311299, unless you have a really large bore. If so, go for the 314299 and size accordingly.

[longbow]

I have a 31141 that works very well in a .308 as cast and gas checked using 22 gr. 4227 for a mild load. It is quite accurate in my rifle and in a friends.

It depends what you want it for - paper punching or hunting and long range or short range. Like I said it shoots very well out of my .308 and is a nice mild load for 100 and maybe to 200 yard paper punching but the bullet doesn't have a very good ballistic coefficient. I haven't had much luck with heavier loads and this bullet.

For a 30-06 I would be inclined to go heavier and higher ballistic coefficient like the 311299 or 314299 or maybe 311284. There is nothing wrong with the 31141 but the 311299 should do everything the 31141 will and more if you want it.

[Bass Ackward]

The 311041 is probably the most loved AND hated bullet in 30 caliber. It either works fairly well or performs like crap. The dividing line seems to be throat length.

If your 03A3 has a longer throat than a commercial 06, I would not go for the 311041. Instead, I would opt for a 311467 or a 311407 which is the same bullet with a meplat. Best commercial 30 caliber for higher velocities if you decide you want more from it some day. They fit anything.

[fatnhappy]

I've had good luck with the 311041. If you're looking for one bullet, I think you'd be well served by the heavier designs. I'll send you some 311041s and let you decide yourself.

[nighthunter]

Thanks for the replys. You guys are makeing me think. I've considered the RCBS 165 also. Maybe heavier will be better. I'm sure I don't want to go lighter. I have some experience with the Loverign designs from years ago but I did not care for the exposed lube grooves. All they did was collect dirt.
Nighthunter

[krag35]

I'm a fan of the 311284, I can send you some cast but unsized if you want to try them. Also have some 31141's I can send as well.
krag35

[robertbank]

My Huquavarna loves the 311291 bullet with 20 gr of 2400. My 311041 goes well in my 30-30. I would go with the former for 30-06.

Take Care Eh

Bob

[Newtire]

Thanks for the replys. You guys are makeing me think. I've considered the RCBS 165 also. Maybe heavier will be better. I'm sure I don't want to go lighter. I have some experience with the Loverign designs from years ago but I did not care for the exposed lube grooves. All they did was collect dirt.
Nighthunter

Hi Nighthunter,
I think that 311041 works great for 30-30 but for the '06 you might want something that is more like that RCBS 165 or seems like everyone's going to the 311299. I have the RCBS and it's one accurate bullet in the '06's I have. Short throat M-70 and long throat Springfield. The 311041 worked OK in my '06's but not anything spectacular. Like someone else said, the 311407 if you can get your hands on one or if they do another group buy. That is real good in both my 30-30 guns and the 30-06's. I have just way too many moulds but a few work better than others. The little 150's are great for plinkers but so are the 113 Lee's.
So....my vote goes to the RCBS 165 gr. for all around great '06 bullet.

[Larry Gibson]

I gotta agree with Newtire, the 311041 works very nicely in the '06. I use it in numerous types of actions and haven't had a feeding problem. I also have the 311291, the 311299 and have used the 311284 quite a bit. Accuracy is pretty much equal between them at pretty much the same velocity range. The advatage of the 311041 is that of hunting, it is the better killer having a flat meplat. The RCBS 180 FP is also a good bullet.

Larry Gibson

[Leftoverdj]

I've just started playing with a 311299 in a couple of .308s and immediately got much better results that I ever got out of 31141, although the 31141 is acceptably accurate.

The lack of a meplat bothered me, too, so I resorted to an old trick. I set up a .44 Mag die with a SWC nose punch in my press and borrowed the pedestal from from a pushthrough sizer. Some fiddling with the die got me a repeatable meplat of about .20. Accuracy seems to suffer a little, but I'm getting 3/4" groups or better on my home range, which is plenty good for my kind of hunting.

[catboat]

My 31141 mould is one of my favorites. In my 308 Win Rem 700, the 31141 is a tighter grouper than the 311291, with similar alloys.