Cast Boolits in the P14 and M17

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Tried some starting loads in my Winchester rifles today. 10 shot groups at 100yds were impressive.

220gn boolit from CBE (314.220GC) in the P14

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/303CBE220_zpsa6bd00c3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/303CBE220_zpsa6bd00c3.jpg.html)

220gn Lyman boolit (311284GC) in the M17

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/310LY220_zpsa33842d2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/310LY220_zpsa33842d2.jpg.html)

[Char-Gar]

The extra weight and barrel length of these rifles pays off on the targets. The decent peep sights are also a plus. While burdensom to march around with all day, they are a delight on the range.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Final load testing for accuracy in the 303 British and 30.06 today by shooting some 3 x 10 shot groups off the bench at 100yds. It's been a very long week, about 250 rounds with all manner of loads but I have achieved very good accuracy (by open sight standards) at moderate velocities. My yardstick was 1700fps with 200gn projectiles

I get to do it all over again next week with 7mm and 8mm Mausers to the firing line

Martini Enfield 303 with 28.5gns 2206 and the CBE 220gn projectile sized to .314" Ave 1750fps

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/303Martini220CBE105_zps1440956d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/303Martini220CBE105_zps1440956d.jpg.html)

M17 30.06 with 220gn Lyman and a very light plinking load of 10.5gns Red Dot Ave 1089fps

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/M17RedDot220Ly105_zps62f633da.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/M17RedDot220Ly105_zps62f633da.jpg.html)

P14 Enfield 303 with 29.5gns 2206 and the CBE 220gn bullet sized to .314" Ave 1649fps

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Enfield303220CBE105_zps876d20bb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/Enfield303220CBE105_zps876d20bb.jpg.html)

M17 30.06 with 220gn Lyman and a working load of 32.5gns 2206 Ave 1841fps

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/3006220gnLy325105_zps7639cb52.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/3006220gnLy325105_zps7639cb52.jpg.html)

That's about as good as I can shoot off a bench with peep sights and 61yo eyes! The biggest suprise was the Martini 303 group, 6 x bulls & 4 x 9's and it doesn't have any fancy sights!

In shooting these old rifles with cast boolits it should be remembered that soft lead won't polish a badly eroded bore, but if you can get a rifle to shoot with cast loads, it will take many tens of thousands of rounds to wear it out! I have an old 1900 BSA LE action being fitted with a new Lithgow barrel that will never see a jacketed projectile and have high expectations for gilt edged accuracy with the CBE 220gn projectile.

Footnote: The powder referred to as 2206 is equivilent to IMR 3031 overseas!

[303Guy]

That's great shooting! :drinks:

Might I ask for photo's of the boolits and loaded cartridges?

[JeffinNZ]

That's a great bullet. My SMLE and .303 Pygmy do very well with. One of Jim's best.

[WILCO]

Great looking targets!

[Le Loup Solitaire]

A good thing to keep in mind when selecting a cast bullet for the 1917's is that the bore has 5 lands which take up a major portion of the circumference. Choose a bullet design that has a longer nose and a shorter bullet body. The long(er) nose will ride on top of the lands and will be positively guided by them. It is important that the nose section measure .300"-.301" in diameter and the bullet body section with the bands measure .310"-311". If you try and shoot a bullet that is undersize (under the aforementioned measurements) then the bullet tilts off its axis in the bore and goes "cockeyed" in that posture so that when it comes out of the muzzle-poor accuracy/wild shooting results. Some designs have been around that work especially well...the Lyman 311334 and similar ones like 311332, 311335....311291, 311284, Saeco 301, and the old Saeco RG-4. The current RCBS SIL bullets also appear to be of the desired design as well. LLS

[robertbank]

Great shooting. I just have to find a P 14 in decent shape.

Take Care

Bob

[Adk Mike]

I shoot a 1917 Remington a lot. I like 314299 sized to .311. With a midrange load mine shoots great. I did install a peep disk in the rear sight that helps also. My favorite gun at the range.

[seagiant]

I shoot a 1917 Remington a lot. I like 314299 sized to .311. With a midrange load mine shoots great. I did install a peep disk in the rear sight that helps also. My favorite gun at the range.

Hi,
I just got a nice 1917. I have the NOE 314299 mold and a .311 sizer for my STAR. I like 4895 powder. Does anyone have a good load data useing this combo? (good powder weight?)