Mr Humble
08-28-2014, 12:55 PM
Been messing about with Lee CTL 312 160 2R #90361 and NEI 308-188 GC DD in mint SC 03A3 (4 Groove) and unissued 1954 SMLE MK4 #2. They cast out w/wheelweight @ .312 (Lee) & .311.5 (NEI).
The NEI also comes in @ 197-210 gr as cast. Tried running them thru my SAECO lubesizer @.311 (largest 30 I have), results were lousy. Then I too a bunch and just affixed the GC with the SAECO, pan lubed them with SPG and punched them out with my Lyman .318 Kake-Cutter.
Tried 13.5 Unique no filler, std WW LR and tip up muzzle before shooting.
The NEI would not work in the 03 due to the throating for spitzers. It would shoot 5 of the Lee into 1" @ 50 (6X scope) and @100 4 of 5 in 2".
The SMLE (4X scope) would shoot the Lee 4 of 5 of the LEE into 1" @ 50 and 4 of 5 into 2" @ 100.
The NEI put 4 of 5 in 1.5" @ 50 and 5 in 3" @ 100.
No signs of tipping in any and all.
Velocity (Chrongraphed) ran +-1300-1400.
The Lee bullet is hard to cast, the NEI easy.
Next idea is cast more, do a tough weight segregation and try different loads. I want to focus on the SMLE as I have not really bench tested it with jacketed loads whereas the 03 with S&B 180 FMJs factory ammo will shoot 5 into 1.25" @100.
As an aside, I have about 500 190 gr .311 round nose GC cast about 30 years ago by a friend, lubed in an ancient Lyman lube sizer with the nasty black Lyman lube. With this load the 03 will shoot 5 into 1.25" @ 50 with 3 touching. Progress ? sometimes I wonder, especially when I see these whiz bang tactical and scout rifles tested in the rifleman that can't hold 1MOA with premium ammo.
Any thoughts, advice appreciated. Please don't tell me I need another mold !
Thanks!:castmine:
The NEI also comes in @ 197-210 gr as cast. Tried running them thru my SAECO lubesizer @.311 (largest 30 I have), results were lousy. Then I too a bunch and just affixed the GC with the SAECO, pan lubed them with SPG and punched them out with my Lyman .318 Kake-Cutter.
Tried 13.5 Unique no filler, std WW LR and tip up muzzle before shooting.
The NEI would not work in the 03 due to the throating for spitzers. It would shoot 5 of the Lee into 1" @ 50 (6X scope) and @100 4 of 5 in 2".
The SMLE (4X scope) would shoot the Lee 4 of 5 of the LEE into 1" @ 50 and 4 of 5 into 2" @ 100.
The NEI put 4 of 5 in 1.5" @ 50 and 5 in 3" @ 100.
No signs of tipping in any and all.
Velocity (Chrongraphed) ran +-1300-1400.
The Lee bullet is hard to cast, the NEI easy.
Next idea is cast more, do a tough weight segregation and try different loads. I want to focus on the SMLE as I have not really bench tested it with jacketed loads whereas the 03 with S&B 180 FMJs factory ammo will shoot 5 into 1.25" @100.
As an aside, I have about 500 190 gr .311 round nose GC cast about 30 years ago by a friend, lubed in an ancient Lyman lube sizer with the nasty black Lyman lube. With this load the 03 will shoot 5 into 1.25" @ 50 with 3 touching. Progress ? sometimes I wonder, especially when I see these whiz bang tactical and scout rifles tested in the rifleman that can't hold 1MOA with premium ammo.
Any thoughts, advice appreciated. Please don't tell me I need another mold !
Thanks!:castmine: