which lyman mold will put me close the th m1 1939 cartridge? [Archive]

Bob S

05-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Dan:

Do you mean M1 Ball? M1 Ball ammunition was standardized in 1924 with a 174 grain FMJBT bullet and a dose of the then-new Dupont IMR powder to give about 2640 fps. The last lots were loaded about 1940, and the powder was DuPont IMR 1147, which was very close to to our current 4895.

Duplicating that in a cast load is going to be difficult. Getting a spitzer cast bullet to shoot into any kind of "Group" is difficult. The Lyman/Ideal mould 311365 comes close to the shape and weight, but it is long out of production. There was a group buy here a few years ago by a guy that called himself "Aladin", and his design was the "Aladin HBC", and it might be a little heavier than 174 grains. Lots of us here bought one; some folks swear by it, most swear at it. I'm in between. I actually might have two of the moulds (I have no recollection of how that happened, and if I can find the "spare", I'll send it to you.)

Now ... if you want to shoot your 03A3 accrurately with cast bullets, try the following:

For very short range (100 yards) Lyman 311291 with 15 grains of Alliant 2400. You can substiutute the Lee C312-185R bullet, or if you like pointed designs, the Lyman 311332. The load will hold together at 200 yards if the wind is not a whole gale.

This is what to expect from an as-issued 03A3 with two-groove barrel, prone 100 yards:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/BobS1/Springfield%2003s/407360831129115_2400100ydsprone.jpg

From an 03A3 with a heavy barrel and telescope; prone 100 yards:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/BobS1/Springfield%2003s/Lee312185152400centered.jpg

For longer range, I used the Ideal/Lyman 311284 with 40-42 grains of surplus 4831. This is not a light load. I used it in the 1973 high power season for 200 and 300 yards, and it shot well enough to get my Master classification. (for 600 yards I resorted to the Sierra 168 grain Intermantional bullet). Group was fired 200 yards prone; and, yes it was 35 years ago, when I could still see. [smilie=1:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/BobS1/BobS_03A3_311284_200_yds_A.jpg

The 311291, and 311284 are still produced by Lyman ... I'm not certain about the 311332, but if it's not currently in production, it is not long passed and copies of it can probably be found on "the 'Bay".

Resp'y,
Bob S.