Natl Ord. 03A3

[LAH]

Spent the last few days reading about these cast receiver parts guns. Well I was given one by a friend. It's been unfired for 30+ years & looks as new as a parts gun could look. Ser #5002XXX. I spent 3 days off & on removing the copper fouling. Not sure if the fouling was from being fired on this action or the original. The barrel is very clean & looks great, 2 groove. Headspace is fine, the go goes & the no-go doesn't. Action is smooth showing no sign of set back.

After all the reading including much from this forum I have this question. Could the rifle be used for cast bullet loads? A little Red Dot, 16 grs 2400, that type stuff. My gut says why not. What say Ye?

[DIRT Farmer]

I bought mine in the late sixtys, There have been enough Green Dot and Lyman 311-291 down the barrel to have a sizable retirement plan. I would load enough cases that were origonaly blank rounds given me by a National Guard member (which I now have been told are a no-no) to fill a combat belt and empty them on the weekend.The gun is in great shape much better than me.

[GabbyM]

The old two grove Springfield's are notoriously great cast boolit shooters.
You'll need to get all the layers of copper and carbon and cupro nickel out first.
then discover what size boolit you need. 311299 or 314299. Depending upon state of wear.
I like a slower powder aiming at around 1920 fps. AA 5744, 4198, Reloader7, Varget and on the slow end AA4064.
If you want to shoot faster powder like 2400 I'd chose a lighter bullet than the 200 grain 311299. It's a 30-06 so you can do about anything you want.

[skeet1]

LAH
If it were my rifle I would shoot it with what ever safe load I wanted but low pressure loads with lead bullets would probably be a good choice.

Ken

[LAH]

I have a couple good '06s for my long range jacketed high pressure stuff. I want to make a cast shooter from this one. It took the better part of 3 days to get the barrel clean. It shows no sign of copper now. It will be scrubbed more soon as I get some orders out of the shop.

I have a Lyman 311008, 311440, RCBS 30-180-FN & NOE clone of same, plus the NOE 311284. In this rifle I'd like to shoot the lighter bullets with Promo but guess the rifle will decide. Have plenty of GI Brass 4895 & 8 lb of 2400. Also 8 lb of 5744 but would rather keep it for my 45-70.

[skeet1]

LAH,
I shoot the Lee 312-185 sized .311 in my 03-A3 with 16 gr. of 2400, it shoots very well. If it were my choice I would try your 30-180-FN with the same load of 2400. If I wasn't satisfied with that I would go to the 311284.

Ken

[LAH]

Thanks Ken.

[LAH]

The old two grove Springfield's are notoriously great cast boolit shooters.

That's how I understand it.

[ktw]

My favorite load has been 311284, 16.5g 2400, CCI200 and military brass. If you can see it you can hit it, at least out to 300 yards or so.

Remington 03/4 groove barrel.

-ktw

[LAH]

Remington 03/4 groove barrel.-ktw

This one: Remington 8-44, 2 groove.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

A3 two groove barrels do well with Lyman 311284 and 311299,311291, but the longer nosed bore-riders like 311332 (now listed on group buy status) and 311334 will do better. The long noses are positively guided by the larger lands in the barrel. But you have to be aware that proper dimensions/fit are necessary....nose diameter has to be .300-301 and bullet body has to be .310-.311 or the bullet will slump in the bore. If you can, check articles written by Col. Harrison in NRA handloading book on performance of cal 30 cast bullets. LLS

[Larry Gibson]

...........

I have a Lyman 311008, 311440, RCBS 30-180-FN & NOE clone of same, plus the NOE 311284. In this rifle I'd like to shoot the lighter bullets with Promo but guess the rifle will decide. Have plenty of GI Brass 4895 & 8 lb of 2400. Also 8 lb of 5744 but would rather keep it for my 45-70.

Your Nat Ord 03A3 will make an excellent cast bullet shooter.

I've not use Promo powder so can't comment but the 311008 over 3.2 - 3.5 gr Bullseye will make an excellent plinking, small game and all around fun load.

The 311440 over 16 - 18 gr 2400 with a Dacron filler should be an excellent small game load and even deer within reasonable range.

It is the RCBS 30-180-FN and the 311284 that will excel for a lot of fun and accurate shooting to 500 yards. Use the 4895 with those and start with 28 gr and work up to about 32 gr. Use a 3/4 gr Dacron filler. If you've a chronograph you will find best accuracy with either in the 1750 - 1950 fps range. Suggest an alloy equal to COWWs + 2% tin or Lyman's #2 for these bullets.

Of course fire formed and neck sized cases will give the best accuracy and very long case life.

Enjoy!

Larry Gibson

[LAH]

Thanks guys for the time spent replying. Enjoying the data & suggestions.