Trying cast in the 2A1 for the first time

[jonk]

I've had an Enfield 2A1 for a few years. Shoots pretty well with South African surplus, but that's about gone from my stash and given current prices, I'm not replenishing it so am going to handload.

I decoppered the bore- which is excellant- and loaded up 30 test rounds.

2 bullets are being used- the Lyman 311291 and a Lee group buy 170 gr FN mold. Both sized to .311, grooves on the gun .309+/-. Seated to just off the lands for both. Gas checks/50/50 lube.

Load 1- 28 gr of IMR 3031- no filler.
Load 2- 28 gr of same, with 1 gr dacron filler
Load 3- 11 gr of Red Dot, my old stand by.

So 5 of each load with each bullet. Will see what happens.

Anyone have any good ones for the 2A1?

RESULTS:

The red dot loads... all on an 8" bull but not great. The filler loads similarly weren't good.

The clear winner was the 3031 with no filler, about 3". Nothing spectacular but a solid load. Only complaint? I switched to LLA as my 50/50 was empty and didn't feel like melting out the sizer to go back to Felix which is what I NOW have on hand... last inch of the bore leaded, the LLA ran out.

Still, worth another try. Or as has been suggested, paper patch.

[docone31]

I do,
I size my castings to .308, then wrap with two wraps of notebook paper. When dry, I wax slightly with auto wax, size to .309, then load with start load data of 4895 for jacketeds.
I can stack five, right next to each one at 100yds.
Shiney bore also.

[jonk]

Docone,

I'm still playing with paper patching for my Enfield 303 MkIV. First results weren't so hot, though I did pretty darn good with them in my Krag right off. Main thing is it is time consuming to make a template, trace, cut, etc., though I can't say lubing bullets is fast either.

I reckon I might try them in the .308 as well, though I do like the little plinker loads with nekkid lead........

[docone31]

Jonk,
Get a piece of plastic venetian blind. The patch length will be 1 3/8" with a 45* cut on each end, opposite each other. The grain on the notebook paper runs the height of the paper, cut 1" strips across the bottom.
Now, here is where everyone gives me **** on,
Size the castings, both .308, and .303 to .308. Wrap the soaking wet patch in a cigarette roller with the casting in place. Remove and let dry.
Wipe a little wax on and size to .314 for .303 British, and .309 for .30cal.
I can wrap at least 100 in a night that way, more if I do not get bored. I have found, LIGHT loads, don't bother to wrap. I get miserable accuracy with light loads. Go full tilt jacketed loads. I start on the minimum for the respctive weight.
I cannot even imagine hand wrapping those little buggers. I use a roller, or jacketeds.

[jonk]

Wouldn't patch width be dependent on bullet length? (Or casting if you prefer?) Doesn't the convex nature of the blind create issues?

I'm just saying, 1" might work dandy for some, might be too wide for others, and not wide enough for others.

Otherwise it sounds like a good idea. Far better than making one out of an old piece of a plastic cookie tray from the grocery store.

[docone31]

Nope,
plus, you get to trim the tail when dry.

[jonk]

Bump as have posted results in case anyone was following it.

[jh45gun]

I had a 2A1 and I was severely disappointed in it. Though the bore looked great as did the crown I could not get it to shoot any ammo worth a darn, factory or reloads. It went down the road.

[Nobade]

Weren't those rifles made with 303 barrels, just chambered for 308? That would kind of make a difference.

[Piedmont]

No they aren't rechambered .303 barrels. Groove diameter is .308 or just a smidgeon bigger. I have messed with two of them and each had its preferences but they shot fine.