Finally some quality range time .303 and 8 X 56R

[Old Time Hunter]

Weather finally permitted an opportunity to spend quality time at the range to work on two cast loads for my Enfield and my M95. Some interesting, conflicting results between the two.

First: 1941 Enfield/Lithgow, Lee CTL 312-160-2R mould WW+5% tin BNH 15-16 with Gas Checks, sized to .312" Alox lube. w/GC average weight is 169.7 grains over 500 cast bullets.

Charge of 20 grains 2400, ten shots

High Vel: 1875fps
Low Vel: 1807fps
ED: 68
SD: 23.8

Comments: two of the "faster" shots displayed "lead" smoke from muzzle and on investigation created some leading in throat. Both shots proved to be fliers from group at 50 yards (one 3" right and 6" high, the other 8" high). The other 8 shots grouped in less than an inch and a half. I believe that this is the upward limit of this particular combination and would recommend not exceeding 19.0 grains of 2400 even though there were absolutely no high pressure indications, the bullet seems to be stressed out.

Charge of 14.5 grains of Unique, ten shots

High Vel: 1701fps
Low Vel: 1669fps
ED: 32
SD: 9.8

Comments: Absolutely no negatives, very light recoil, ten shots grouped at 50 yards within an inch! I thought that 2400 would out perform, but this load was very consistant and with pratice could get this old Enfield to be a real shooter, next we'll try 100 yards and a larger sample.

Second: M95 Steyr Carbine 8 X 56R, Lee C329-205-1R mould, WW+5% tin BNH 15-16, sized to .3305", 210.2 grains ave with Gas Check (I size these down to .324" for my Commission 88 and they are fantastic!).

Charge of 15.0 grains of Unique,ten shots

High Vel: 1353
Low Vel: 1298
ED: 55
SD: 15.9

Comments: Very, very weak. I am struggling with this gun using cast, absolutely abysmal accuracy. With Hornady factory loads though it is right on, still trying to figure this one out. 15 grains of Unique do not cut it, still has blow back.

Charge of 21 grains of 2400, ten shots

High Vel: 1678 fps
Low Vel: 1567 fps
ED: 111
SD: 29.7

Comments: I think the 1678fps was an anomaly as 8 of the ten were between 1567-1601fps, could be I might have switched a round from the next batch by accident (one of the fellows at the range picked one out each box and asked what the difference was, might put 'em in the wrong batch. From now on I am color coding the different batches). Still not accurate, 4" group, all high (4 1/2")at 50 yards, very little recoil compared to factory loads.

Charge of 22.5 grains of 2400, ten shots

High Vel: 1693 fps
Low Vel: 1572 fps (see above)
ED: 91
SD: 24.5

Comments: This one I think the 1572 fps was the anomaly as the other nine shots ranged from 1653 fps to 1693 fps. The 1572 fps shot also landed in the above group with the 21 grain loads, whereas the rest fell into a 2" group along with the 1678 fps shot from the 21 grain load. Still high though, about 2 1/2" high. This gun and cartridge configuration seems to need greater velocity, I am going to try going to 23 or 23.5 grains of 2400 and see if I can tighten her up, but that is quite a bit of 2400....what do you gents think? Or should I just work on this load???

[Buckshot]

...............Sounds as if you have that SMLE nailed, and that's some good shooting. The M95 Steyr will be an equine of a different hue. Have you slugged it yet? If not, be sure you also do a throat slug. The measurements may be startling. MAny have grooves well over .330". I have 4 of'em, and converted one with a really bad barrel to 30-40 Krag. Of the 3 left there's another with a barrel that I'm not going to try and reload for as it is also poor.

Of the 2 left (M95 and M95/31) both will swallow a loaded round with a slug sized to .338". With a bore of .316", when slug sized to .332" slams into the lands there's a sizeable amount of lead being moved around! You should also upset a slug in the last 1 inch or so at the muzzle. Two of my Steyrs had worn lands at the muzzle, and I guess that's because the troops cleaned from the muzzle.

..............Buckshot

[Old Time Hunter]

Thanks Buckshot, Yep, slugged the bore on the Steyr three times, always comes out to .3295". Have not done a chamber cast, nor checked throat dimensions. I purchased five of these things from Century, cleaned them all up, slugged them all, and shot them all. With jacketed, full power loads, this one was the best, it also had the cleanest bore (you could shave off the mirror surface). The other four all ranged from .330" to .332" when slugged, but shot my cast loads extremely well...but they were mutt's and this one was all matching without any forcing of serial numbers. Sold three of the other one's to buddies and one to a range member, kept the one that doesn't shoot cast for a damn...the throat issue might be the answer. I can size the next batch a little bigger after I open up my sizing die to .331" (it shouldn't be too difficult using emery cloth and a dowel in my drill press). We'll see if that works. Just startling that it is a tack driver with factory jacketed though:???::???::???:

[Buckshot]

I can size the next batch a little bigger after I open up my sizing die to .331" (it shouldn't be too difficult using emery cloth and a dowel in my drill press). We'll see if that works. Just startling that it is a tack driver with factory jacketed though:???::???::???:

............Jacketed slugs are a LOT more forgiving of things then a cast lead boolit is. A boolit with a GC can do things a plain based slug won't so it's no wonder that one wearing a GC from nose to tail will do what it does :-)

............Buckshot

[Bret4207]

Try that Lee unsized in the Steyr. I shoot an NEI design and size to .332 +/- and with 13.0 Red Dot get good groups. The Lee 338 boolit works better than the 329.

[Old Time Hunter]

Thanks Bret, a buddy of mine has the Lee .338 I will see if he will loan it to me. As dropped the C329-205-1R comes out right around .332....just cast about 50 of them. I'll try 'em unsized.

[Bret4207]

Many times the GC will snap on or you can crimp it a bit. The 338 will chamber as cast in mine and does okay, far better than the 329.