springfield '03a3 2 groove and cast?

[jmsj]

Hey guys,
I've got a Springfield that has a 2 groove barrel, how do they shoot cast ? It had been sporterized before I traded for it. It shoots jacketed bullets pretty good, 1.5"
groups with Hornady 165gr BTSP's at 100 yds. I've only been casting pistol bullets so far and have been thinking about trying casting for rifles.
I cant remember if I read that 2 groove barrels shot cast well or not. Any advise would be appreciated

[sqlbullet]

BobS steered me well on a load for my Garand. He also shoots an '03A3. His load is referenced here (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=312730&postcount=15).

He loaded 40 grains of IMR 4831 + 1/4 sheet (pink) toilet paper filler under a Lyman 311284. He does not mention rifling pattern.

[Ben]

jmsj :

I also have a 2 groove sporter like yours. Mine really likes cast bullets. Yours may shoot all of them well, mine likes long , heavy, nose riders like the 311284 and the 311290 . I size mine to .309.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=22047

You know that you've got to get all that copper out of your barrel prior to testing your cast bullet loads.....

Ben

[Le Loup Solitaire]

A3's with 2 groove barrels handle cast bullets very well especially designs with long bore-rider noses. The reason for this is that most of the circumference of a 2 groove bore is "lands" and the lands serve as guides for those noses. The two mold numbers already mentioned do very well; so does Lyman 311291 if you can get one that is not undersize. Same for 311332. If you can find a Lyman 311334, not currently in production, that will also work really well. LLS

[JeffinNZ]

LLS is correct. Two groove barrels are nominal 5/8 land and 3/8 groove. Bore riding nose bullets are best and there is less groove diameter bullet to deform in the vast bore area of the barrel. Imagine how much lead is going to be shifted firing a Loverin bullet down a two groover!

[SAJTU]

I've had great luck with 20 grains of 2400 under a Lyman 311291 sized at .310 out of my 2-groove A3. This load is consistenly very accurate out of my rifle and I successfully use it for 200 yard misurp competition. Next best load isthe same bullet over 16 grains of 2400.

SAJTU

[jmsj]

Thanks for all the information. So far I've only been casting for pistols, but am getting addicted to casting. Trying to get a plan for future casting attempts. jmsj

[FAsmus]

Jmsi;

I have a M1917 Enfield with a Johnson Automatics two-groove barrel ( same exact barrel as is on 03A3's ) and it shoots my heat-treated RCBS 30-180-SP into an inch at 100 yards over 25.2 grains IMR 4198.

Good evening,
Forrest

[DIRT Farmer]

I have been shooting one for over 40 years in a National Ordance 03 A3. 311-291 with medium load of Green Dot. Very plesant to shoot. A lot of ground hogs have fallen to the load.

[30CAL-TEXAN]

If you have a .30 mould available to play with I would try it regarless of bullet design. My 2 goove 03-A3 shoots just as good as my 4 groove 03 with the little 160Gr Lee pointy designed for 7.62x39.Neither one is a match gun, but I sure can't complain.

I do highly recomend slugging the bore to determine the exact diameter. At least you will know exactly how to size them (if you size them).

[FAsmus]

Gentlemen;

Typically the two-groove barrels run right at specification - that is; 0.308 grooves and 0.300 bores. This one of mine is right at these dimensions, only worn enough at the throat to allow the 0.301 nose on the RCBS bullet to enter the bore with the nicest light witness marks on the noses showing its virtually perfect fit.

A new barrel is always worth checking though so as to feed it what fits for accuracy.

Good morning,
Forrest