Five 303 Brit Cast Bullet Loads

Andy

Andy

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I went out today with my Lee Enfield No 4 and tried out five loads. The bullet is the LBT 316 187 SP, a gas-checked bullet that I sized to 0.314", and weighs about 178 grs lubed and gas checked with the WW + 2% tin alloy I use. OAL was 2.725", which is short, but just off the lands (this bullet is not a bore-rider). Here's what I got:


1. Red Dot - 13.0 grs - avg 1585 fps
2. SR4759 - 18.0 grs - avg 1625 fps
3. H4227 - 20.0 grs - avg 1660 fps
4. IMR4198 - 22.0 grs - avg 1650 fps
5. IMR3031 - 28.0 grs - avg 1750 fps

No load was poor, but load #2 was most accurate, with #4 and #5 close behind.
 
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What was the #2load for pressure signs...I have loaded a simular load except with 22grs of 4759 and sized to 311....it was ok,but on the upper end of the recommended load....but it was very accurate ,5 shots...1.43 inch group
 
oops said:
What was the #2load for pressure signs...I have loaded a simular load except with 22grs of 4759 and sized to 311....it was ok,but on the upper end of the recommended load....but it was very accurate ,5 shots...1.43 inch group
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"Pressure Signs"? There are none to be read at cast bullet pressures (roughly 20-35K psi), except for smoky necks which can be interpreted as low pressure. Even with jacketed bullets at much higher pressures, the classic "pressure signs" are notoriously deceptive and open to wide interpretation. Your best pressure sign is your chronograph, teamed with careful analysis of your loads.

The loads I shared are all low end, as my objective was 1600-1750 fps. With powders 4 and 5, I could have safely gone to 2000+ fps and still be well below the 40K psi limit of the firearm.
 
Have you ever tried Unique?
The powder that usually generates best accuracy for me is SR4759 so I'm not surprised it was for you too. I usually use Unique for plinking loads around 900-1400fps though that is below your goal range.
 
LUTNIT said:
Have you ever tried Unique?
The powder that usually generates best accuracy for me is SR4759 so I'm not surprised it was for you too. I usually use Unique for plinking loads around 900-1400fps though that is below your goal range.
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I have tried Unique and it is in my opinion, probably the most versatile powder there is, in the sense that you can make a load that would be decently accurate in virtually every cartridge that exists. I just have yet to find it the most accurate in any cartridge.

As for SR4759 - I have six pounds of it. Need I say more? I have four pounds of IMR4198 as well. Most of my recreational shooting is cast rifle and those two powders pretty much do it for 90% of my shooting.
 
Andy said:
"Pressure Signs"? There are none to be read at cast bullet pressures (roughly 20-35K psi), except for smoky necks which can be interpreted as low pressure. Even with jacketed bullets at much higher pressures, the classic "pressure signs" are notoriously deceptive and open to wide interpretation. Your best pressure sign is your chronograph, teamed with careful analysis of your loads.

The loads I shared are all low end, as my objective was 1600-1750 fps. With powders 4 and 5, I could have safely gone to 2000+ fps and still be well below the 40K psi limit of the firearm.
Click to expand...


SR 4759 is a new powder for me to try...in the past I have used more pistol powder types(very fast burning)in cases like 303,3006 and 6.5x55....a little bit with the 7.62x39
I was unsure if 4759 pressure peaks as quick as very fast pistol powders....hence potational pressure issues...I have tried 4198/3031,I found them to be "dirty"only because you are using lower loads and it seems to foul the barrel more with powder residue....I keep all cast loads under 2000 fps,with most at 1500ish!!.....All though 4759 was not a bad powder at 22 grs,I did notice it to be quite "black" in the bore with lower charge amounts.....did you find the same?
 
oops said:
SR 4759 is a new powder for me to try...in the past I have used more pistol powder types(very fast burning)in cases like 303,3006 and 6.5x55....a little bit with the 7.62x39
I was unsure if 4759 pressure peaks as quick as very fast pistol powders....hence potational pressure issues...I have tried 4198/3031,I found them to be "dirty"only because you are using lower loads and it seems to foul the barrel more with powder residue....I keep all cast loads under 2000 fps,with most at 1500ish!!.....All though 4759 was not a bad powder at 22 grs,I did notice it to be quite "black" in the bore with lower charge amounts.....did you find the same?
Click to expand...

All powders at the lower end of their pressure range leave "crinklers". They are cosmetic in my opinion - if the load is consistent and accurate, they can be ignored.

People need not worry about "unburned powder in the bore" - it doesn't affect accuracy. At cast bullet pressures, small amounts of fast pistol powder burn cleaner, but I've never found them to be the most accurate at MV's where slower powders can also be used, i.e. ~1400+ fps.
 
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buckbrush said:
I have a few .316 NOE moulds, can you provide the Noe number for your NOE 316 187 SP?
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I was wrong - it's an LBT (Lead Bullets Technology) 316 187 SP mold. Corrected.

Here's a pic:

LBT_316_187_SP_zps669cb17c.jpg
 
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I've been playing with 5dr of 700x in 305,303, and 7.5x55 and am pleased with them.
I've used 95gr hollow based wad cutter's out of all 3 and was really surprised with those!
 
Since we are on the topics of cast bullets......how many of you have a lead hardness tester?....I have been wanting to get one(to help keep my batches more the same hardness) To date I morely use WW with a bit of tin.It is hard to tell if I get the mixture rite.

I do have 200 lbs of lyno type....but that stuff is HARD....I keep it for my special bullets(FPS+++)
 
oops said:
Since we are on the topics of cast bullets......how many of you have a lead hardness tester?....I have been wanting to get one(to help keep my batches more the same hardness) To date I morely use WW with a bit of tin.It is hard to tell if I get the mixture rite.

I do have 200 lbs of lyno type....but that stuff is HARD....I keep it for my special bullets(FPS+++)
Click to expand...

I have the Lee Hardness tester. The "Cabine Tree" Hardness Tester seems to be the "go-to" one in this regard, but they all work.
 
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