Looking for more info about cast in the 03-A3…

[Johnny O.]

I have been doing some searches and reading on this and two other forums, but I can’t seem to answer all of my questions… I’ll post this on the other two forums as well, just incase someone there has info that wouldn’t see my questions otherwise. I can’t hit them all but I like the helpful, friendly attitude and the knowledge that seems to be on these 3 forums.
I’m going to start shooting cast bullets in my 03-A3 and I’m trying to decide on a mold. Now, based on the reading I have done I have narrowed the choices down just a little bit (but not much). Out of the Lyman line I read good things about 311284, 311290, 311291, & 311332. I think I would start with the 311284 out of that group but the Lyman web site list a 311644, 190gr mold that I am interested in but haven’t found any posts or very few about it anyway. This is what the Lyman site has to say about it “Recent design for the 308 with a tapered lead to fit the rifling. Capable of shooting under 1" at 100 yards. Good bullet for 03A3’s. Nose grooves must be hand lubed”. Dose anyone have any experience with this one? Would love to hear all about it. I would also like to hear about which Lee molds work well in the two grove rifling of the A3. I could only find six .30 cal rifle mold made by Lee and some of them look similar to the Lyman ones except for the 311644. Same with RCBS molds. I would love to read everything yall have to say about these bullets.
Johnny O.

[damron g]

The 311284 works very well in my 2 groove barels.The older Lee 200 i have is too small in the nose(.298) and doesnt shoot well.The lyman 311644 with nose grooves shoots well also for a few friends in 2-grv barrels,but dont worry about lubing the nose.I had shot it in other calibers,but sold the mold as it was hard to get it to release form the cavities due to the square nose grooves.The lee bullet for the 303 Brit. is larger in the nose and body and shoots well in two groove barrels.

The RCBS 180SP is one that should be tried first IMHO,I havent had a bullet outshoot it yet in 2 groove 03-a3's.

George

[skeet1]

Johnny O,
I have an old 03-A3 with a new GI 4 groove barrel. I had purchased a Lee 312-185 mould for my British .303 and it didn't shoot well in my Enfield as it was undersized for it. I thought I would try it in my 03-A3 sized to .311 as I already had a sizer die that size. Well it worked out great and I'm very happy with it. Not bad for an $18.00 mould which includes handles.

Skeet1

[Pirate69]

Johnny O.
I bought the Lee CTL312-160-2R mold to use with my 303 British (having to Beagle though). I also resize down to 0.309 for my 03-A3. I am getting good results. I will post some groups late so you can see the results.

[dominicfortune00]

You have to watch the 311644, Lyman changed the design and didn't change the picture.

Somebody posted on here about this issue earlier this year, IIRC.

[Jon K]

Slug your bore first............then you can get more accurate info on which boolit to use....FIT THE BOOLIT TO THE BORE.

I have an 03A3 2 groove, bore is .300 X .308. I tried several boolits with a .300-.302 nose diameter, and most wouldn't shoot good consistantly. I settled on the NOE K-31 boolit sized .309 ....shoots great, and bore rider fits the bore.

Jon

[sundog]

Johnny, if it were me, I would opt for the 314299 from the gitgo - especially if you are getting ready to get a new Lyman mould. Most later versions of Lyman 311 boolits are a bit wanting in diameter, especially on the nose. Fill the throat as much as possible, e.i., .311 or more. If you can find older moulds that cast a 'decent' diameter, then by all means go that way. Or as suggested, start with a Lee 312. Good luck on finding a 311290, unless you already have one. If you do (have a 311290) start with it, at as big a diameter that will fit the rifle. I have tried the 311644 in several 30 cal rifles, and it did not shoot as well in any compared to other proven loads. That is not to say that it is not a good boolit, it just has not worked for me yet.

You have certainly stepped into the right forum for getting some help on this.

Please let us know how things work out.

[leadman]

I shoot the Lyman 311041, the flatnose originally designed for the 30-30. With 19 grs of SR4759 it shoots 4" or so at 200 yards.
Works real well in my 21" Contender carbine barrel at full velocity.

[Johnny O.]

Hey thanks to you all for your commits! It’s appreciated. I enjoy reading everything yall have to say. I’ll try to get some pics posted soon and at least let you see the rifle and what it’s shooting like with jacketed bullets. I don’t know if I will get the chance to cast for it before I have to leave town for a while…

[Calamity Jake]

If you don't mind spending the $'s don't overlook Saeco 301 and 307. I shoot the 307 in an 03, 03A3 and 1917.
I also like the Rcbs 30-180 SP. in my 03 and A3

[Larry Gibson]

I'll ditto sundog's remarks on 314299. That is the best overall bullet for the '03s, 2 and 4 grooves. Lyman's 311299 works just as well in newer 4 groove barrels with bores of less than .301.

Larry Gibson

[chuebner]

Out of all the normally mentioned bullets for the 03A3 I've only found two that would not shoot worth a darn. The Lyman 311041 and Saeco #315 were worthless in my 03A3. Best one is the 311299 sized at .311 over 17gr. SR4759. Next best is the Lee C309-200 beagled and sized to .311. BTW my 03A3 slugged at .300 X .309.

charlie

[Char-Gar]

Both of my 03A3s have four groove barrels (SC and Rem) and I have not found a bullet they will not shoot in a decent way. Some of course are better than others. For a 2 groove bullet my pick would be 311284, 311291, and RCBS 165 Sil. With Lyman molds there is always the issue of vintage as it relates to the size of the finished products. Fit after all is everything.

[damron g]

"Both of my 03A3s have four groove barrels (SC and Rem) and I have not found a bullet they will not shoot in a decent way. "

true!!


"With Lyman molds there is always the issue of vintage as it relates to the size of the finished products. Fit after all is everything"

An example have three 311466's and only one shoots top notch.It's an earlier model with .312 bands and a .304 dia ft band(correct Loverin desing),the .314 dia fully cylindrical later versions dont shoot well until the ft of the bullet is tapered.I also have five 308/311241's and all are a bit different and each shoot well in some but not others.