311291 in 30-06 question

[rayg]

I just picked up a used double cavity 311291 mould at a gun show Friday. It had been stored with two of the cast bullets in it.
I measured the bullets and they were .2995-.300 bore and /.311 groove. Most of my 1903 Springfields measure about .301 in the bores and if you insert the bullet into the muzzle, the bullet goes in up to the lands with no bore contact.
I know for best results, the bullet should be about a .001 over bore and not under it.
Will I have to beagle this bullet or will it perform ok as is? Ray

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[Bret4207]

You'll need to try it with your alloy. No other way to know. But you're right that with the current dimensions you won't get super performance in your barrel.

[Thumbcocker]

My first 311292 was small on the nose. Lyman replaced it for free. With the right sized nose this is one of the best .30 cal boolits there is.

[Maven]

rayg, My mold casts the same as yours and is a disappointment in my .30-06 as well. A .301" - .302" nose section would be perfection!

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Hi, It is true that the 291 is one of the best designed bullets ever made. In 30 cal rifles especially 06 it can be loaded to shoot excellently, but....the body size has got to be .309-.310 and the nose section .301-.302 or you will not get accurate shooting. Either send the mold back to Lyman and keep the pressure on them until they send you one that does the right job or you can lap the nose sections out to the right diameter if it is the nose section that is too small. Or use 1-2% tin with WW or straight linotype and see if that (and it should) increase(s) the diameter to what you need/want. You could also "beagle" it, but beagled bullets are a little on the oval side and I would not care for that. Don't regret the mold as the bullet when properly dimensioned/fixed/exchanged...however which way you prefer, will really deliver on a superb level. LLS

[Char-Gar]

Before you do anything else, shoot the booger and find out how it does in your rifle. 311291 is not a true bore rider as half the length of the bullet is body and often these shoot just fine even if the nose is not the perfect fit for the bore we want.

These bullets and rifle will sometime thumb their noses at theory. Size them .310 or .311 on the body and shove some into a target. I will bet you will receive a plesant suprise.

[Larry Gibson]

Concur with Charger, shoot the bullet first. 311291 is a very fine bullet for the '06 especially if velocities are kept below 1900 fps even with the thought to be undersize nose. I shoot lots of them in several '06s including a couple M1903s.

Larry Gibson

[R.C. Hatter]

:coffee:I have a #311291 mould that casts small in the forepart such that the nose will fall into the muzzle of my 03-A3 and Ruger M-77. That said, the boolit sized to .311"
shoots very accurately in both rifles up to about 1900 fps. I would advise trying the mould as it is, you might be surprised how well it shoots.

[qajaq59]

I'd cast with it before I did anything else. His alloy is unknown.

[MtGun44]

I'd be willing to buy that mold if you are interested in selling it.

Bill

[beemer]

I worked with one with the small nose, it was the only one that would chamber in a 30-30 that I have. It shot good in several other rifles that I tried.The nose is short and blunt, it might not give you any problems. I would give it a shot before trying to fix something that might not be broken.

beemer

[Will]

My 311291 casts a .300 nose but I used it in my 03 for years before I ever heard of bore riding. With 20gr 2400 it shot near MOA but it probably won't now that I know it isn't supposed to.

[dominicfortune00]

Isn't that how it always is, you can do something until you find out that it isn't supposed to work that way.

And once you do hear that, it never works that way again.

[PAT303]

I have yet to find a 30 cal rifle that doesn't like that boolit,like posted above I'd shoot it first.It is a very sound design. Pat

[Maven]

"I have yet to find a 30 cal rifle that doesn't like that boolit,like posted above I'd shoot it first.It is a very sound design."

Pat, Then you haven't met my Win. Mod. 70! However, I've had much better luck with -291 in my K-31's (sized to .309") and my Finn. Nagant Mod. 28/30 (sized to .311").

[Blammer]

Just got some NOE 311291's sized and ready to load, will try the 20gr of 2400 with it.

[stephen perry]

I have been shooting 311291 for 30 yrs. It will shoot in any .30 cal barrel no matter what the bullet or barrel measures. Shoot em.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR :brokenima

[243winxb]

Bullet should be good as is, sized to .310" Works well in 1903 Springfield. Also 30-30 in M94 & T/C Contender. It leaded after a few shots in Rem. Model 760 30-06, rough barrel.