M1917 Group Competition

[sundog]

Okay. Here's the rools.

First, this is a FUN match, just for grins and gigles - and braggin' rights. All of you are trusted agents of the cast boolit board, and as such, the group size you post will be accepted as true.

Iron sighted M1917, preferrably all original - 'as issued'. If it's not, mention what's been customized.

Cast boolits.

100 yards.

10-round group (measure center to center). If you post a pic of your group, include a reference marker such as a ruler.

Enter as many times as you want.

All groups must be shot, starting today through Monday, July 4, 2005, Scores must be posted in this thread NLT Sunday, July 9, 2005.

It would also be nice if your posted your load. sundog

[felix]

Corky, group size might not be as realistic as a scored target, considering the type of gun. Why not a two inch circle and count the boolits in it? What does the standard 100 yard target look like in terms of bullseye center diameter? ... felix

[45 2.1]

During WW1, the M1917 and the 1903 Springfield were contemporaries. Maybe a competition between them????, since I haven't owned a M1917 for the last 20 years. Ones with good cast bullet bores are VERY difficult to find around here.

[sundog]

Okay, that's fine. If you fire for score, use an SR-21 (300 yard simulated), which is what we use for military bolt matches. Approximate sizes of black rings are X-ring = 3/4". 10-ring = 2". 9-ring is = 4". 8-ring = 6". White rings are 7-ring = 8". 6-ring = 10". 5-ring = 12".

[sundog]

45, well that's fine, too, but from my experience the 1917s that can beat a good 03/03A3 are few and far between, BUT, that might only be because I've seen ALOT more 03s. To keep a level playing field, we can start another thread just for the 03s. Same rools. Be interesting to see what shakes out. If I can get some ammo loaded for the 1917, I'll shoot it tomorrow after my match and post an early group and score for y'all to beat (which shouldn't take much!). Gonna go start an 03 thread right now. sundog

[David R]

I will be first. 2" @ 50 yards. This does not count because its only 50.

Stay Tuned by monday I wil have more.

As issiue 'cept no wood or barrel band in da front of da stock. Its free floated.

[sundog]

Saturday, June 11, midday, sunny (after a few heavy thunderstorms), wind from the south and shooting north.

Fired on a SR-21, score 91-0X with a group size 4.862.

Rifle is a Win 3-18 'as issued' except for a expoxied over long range peep redrilled smaller and off center to accomodate not being able to get enough windage adjust on front sight.

Load was 21.0 IMR 4427, RCBS 30-165-SIL, LCNM case, and Rem 9 1/2 primer. sundog

[Buckshot]

...........I started loading ammo today for the shoot. I'll get it shot next Tuesday.

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

[David R]

OK, I did it. All loads are in RP nickel plated brass, Lyman 311466 Lovern style boolit weighing around 147 grains with out gas check or lube. Loaded to 3.100" Sized in a 308 die, came out .309

Group one 13.5 Herco, Boolit made of pure lynotype Linotype?

5 1/8" Score 90 1X

First shot of first group was a flier from a really scrubbed bore. I should have fouled it with a couple first. Group is 3 1/2 with 9 shots. I may shoot this one again.

Group 2 Same load boolit poured of #2 alloy

4 7/8" score 89 0X

Group 3 Lynotype boolit, 16 grains 2400

4 1/2" 87 1X these all shot a little low and to da right.

Until I get a better trigger and better eyes, I think this is the best I can do. I am going to shoot some condom boolits to see if the gun will do better.

The target is perfect size for 100 yards, just a little wider than the front post so I can "shoot the boucning ball"

All shots from sandbags, Rifle has barrel free floated and I messed with the trigger but its still the pitts.

This is FUN

[Buckshot]

The above was the first 10 round group shot. The load was 23.0grs H4198 + dacron under the Lyman 311284 sized .310" and of 13.5 bhn. The boolits had been Tumble Lubed some time ago, but the LG's were filled with Javalina when sized. Hornady GC's.

The boolits were visually inspected, and the powder charges were thrown. The slugs were taper crimped with an OAL of 3.295"

OA group size = 5.312". Naturally there HAD to be 2 fliers, and on either side of the group, too Just FYI without the 2 fliers (A&B) the 8 rounds went 2.437". I am accepting of fliers when loading visual boolits and thrown charges, although as here in a competition, the time SHOULD be taken to scale at least the slugs.

Overall I'm not displeased with this rifle's perfromance. To date it has had exactly 100 rounds through it. Fifty loaded for Winnemucca and then those 50 cases reloaded for the Burrito Invitational and this particular postal match.

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

[Sailman]

I am shooting for all practical purposes a brand new P-17 Endfield, Winchester
# 32,041. It seemes to require a .309 sized bullet.

Last week I tried 12, 13, 14, and 15 gr of 2400. I was shooting 20 shot groups. The 14 gr. shot best giving me a group size of 2 5/8 inch.

Wednesday I shot four 10 shot groups. Two 10 shot groups were with my better bullets and two 10 shot groups were with my poorly cast bullets. The first 10 shot group with the good bullets gave me a 5 3/8 inch group and the second 10 shot group gave me a 3 1/2 inch group. The first 10 shot group with the poorly cast bullets gave me a 4 1/4 inch group and the 2nd 10 shot group with the poorly cast bullets gave me a group size of 2 3/4. So---my official group size for this match will be 2 3/4 inch.

Makes one wonder.

[Sailman]

I just realized that I did not list the bullet I was shooting. It was 311644.

[Calamity Jake]

I know this is a whole lot late for this competition, but yesterday was the first time I have had a chance to shoot my old Eddystone (1,220,000 SR range) in some time.
The load:
LC 67 Match, RP LR Primer, 20gr 2400, 314299 @ .311 and NRA 50/50
seated to 3.205
On the SR21 target, 8 rounds goes 2.060 with two fliers low just outside the 9 ring opening the group to 3.237. The score is 95 2X
Thoughes two fliers are my doing because sighting through that rear battle sight is like looking through a 55gal barrel, if you know what I mean.
I think I will try some Felix lube next time and see if I can't do something about that rear sight and still keep it legal for our BR competition.

[David R]

Yesterday I put 5 shots in 2 1/2" @ 100 . That is all I had for boolits of that load. Going to load up some more and try again. Gotta love that 311466.


Good Shooting All of you , this was fun.

David