303 cast bullet issue

[84mmcarl-gustav]

Hello,i justed try some 303 brith cast bullet,instead to have a nice hole at 100m,i got key hole,and no accuracy at all,
the rifle is,
Lee Enfield no1 mk3 *,the load is 36 grain of imr 4064,the bullet is 195 grain 4grooves,cooper gaz check +lub,i did not put filler betwen powder and bullet, since i use smokeless powder,thank for your help.

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[ben hunchak]

Well I would guess that your bullet is both too hard and too small, bores on .303s go right up to .316", and your bullet should be .001 or .002 over boresize. That's why I have/use moulds and sizers that will do from .311" to .317" and a mold that will drop to at least .319". This last mold is an Aussie mold for the .303, where they have alot expertise with the .303 and make molds for oversized bores.

 

[Ganderite]

I have had excellent results with that bullet and a similar load.

Have you pushed throuh an unsized bullet to get a feel for the barrel diameter?

 

[Why not?]

I agree with both Ben and Ganderite. Your bullet is too small in diameter.

I have used the old Lyman 311284 bullet for the past 20 years, or so. It casts right around 210 gr, measures .313" with wheel weight metal (unquenched), and shoots well in every 303 Br I have tried it in.

Ted

 

[sunray]

"...Lyman 311284 bullet..." Not loaded with IMR4064 though?
84mmcarl-gustav, that jacketed bullet data? Too fast, if it is. Keyholing is caused by oversized barrels and/or undersize bullets.
Slug the barrel. Hammer one of your bullets(the rod will expand it a bit to fit the rifling) through the barrel with a brass rod and a plastic mallet, then measure it with a micrometer. Lee-Enfield barrels can measure from .311" to .315" and still be considered ok. Over .315" they're shot out, for jacketed bullets. Not such a big deal for a cast bullet you can size.

 

[mbogo3]

Even the new Lyman 314299 is under size for most .303's unlike the original........Harold.......try castboolits.com lots of info there with good people

 

[Gatehouse]

Ben, you sell those?

I've got a .303 British Ruger #1. Grooves are .313 apparently.

 

[84mmcarl-gustav]

Hi,thanks all for the info ,i will slug the barrel see what size is it,ans let you know

 

[ben hunchak]

I have the #311284,and the old standby# 314299, both of these go over 200grs. depending on alloy, as well as the Aussie spitzer(bore rider like the other two) at 216grs. All are GC and weight varies on all of them depending on alloy. For pics, go to the Lyman site, the Aussie one looks like #314299 but longer and slightly wider. I also have #311467(Loverin), 311332,311644, Eagan MX-3,and many more that might fit the .303 Br.

 

[84mmcarl-gustav]

Hi,i justed slog the boar and is .311,the cast bullet is .302,and commercial bullet is .312,now i know where is my problem,i need to find the right mold,thank again for the info

 

[Why not?]

For quick reference, here's a bullet chart. www.three-peaks.net/bullet_molds.htm

Have fun,
Ted

 

[donor]

Lee makes good,inexpensive .312 mold.

 

[84mmcarl-gustav]

hi,i would like to know if,a bullet mold alu or steel,when they said .312 or 314 dia mold,
is the diameter of the cast bullet is the same after casting it, or we have a shrinkage of .001 or .002 less,depend mold temp and what way you kool it?

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Hello,i justed try some 303 brith cast bullet,instead to have a nice hole at 100m,i got key hole,and no accuracy at all,
the rifle is,
Lee Enfield no1 mk3 *,the load is 36 grain of imr 4064,the bullet is 195 grain 4grooves,cooper gaz check +lub,i did not put filler betwen powder and bullet, since i use smokeless powder,thank for your help.

[/IMG]

I have one cast bullet I get from a local supplier that looks to be identical or almost identical to the one you have pictured. It looks very much like the one pictured in the #1 RCBS Cast Bullet Manual. Mine tips the scale at 185grs and mikes out at 0.312". Admittedly I haven't used it all that much, yet, but a load of 24grs of IMR 4198 seems to do well.

In a pair of Jungle Carbines I have, jacketed bullets of 0.312" diameter such the 174gr Hornady and the 215gr Woodleigh result in better accuracy 'punching paper' than other brands that are of 0.311" diameter.

There is one bullet I'd dearly like to get my hands on and try out. On an old Speer Bullet display board that's part of the decor of my reloading room, they have a 175gr bullet shown as 7.65mm, 0.313". Apparently it is long ago out of production. Checking through Ken Waters Pet Loads and volume 1 of P.O. Ackleys Handbook For Shooters & Reloaders I see reference of its use in the 31 JAP / 7.7mm Japanese.

 

[Why not?]

Hi Johnn,

I shout hundreds of those .313 Speers out of various 303 Br over the years, but have not seen them anywhere for at least 15 years now.

Ted

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Hi Johnn,

I shout hundreds of those .313 Speers out of various 303 Br over the years, but have not seen them anywhere for at least 15 years now.

Ted

Hi Ted;

I 'may' have the the good fortune to pick up 200 of the little beauties within the next couple of days. I was PM'd by a guy down island that 'may' be willing to part with his small stash. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Johnn

 

[84mmcarl-gustav]

Hello i when on the range for testing,i try a new load , dropped the charge down to 28 gr IMR 4064 and a 1/2 gr dacron filler over the powder. work great no more key hole at 100m.