100 yard cast load

[andiarisaka]

After much experimentation, I've got a good load for those 100 yard matches. 12.5gr of Blue Dot under a Belding and Mull 311169 cast boolit. The Blue Dot seems to require a large rifle magnum primer, I'd previously tried the same load with large pistol magnum and regular large rifle primers to my utter frustration. I recently tried it with the Remington 9 1/2M, as that was all I had, and viola! This is 5 shots at 85 yards using my scout scope equipped 92/96. 3 are in a cloverleaf touching, and 2 are less than an inch away, also touching. Velocity should be around 1250fps, about the same as a 22 rimfire, with 3x the bullet mass. I think I could hand some frustration to some black rifle shooters with this load!

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[charles isaac]

Thanks Andiarisaka.

Have you tried the Lyman 311284? Got any good data for it?

[andiarisaka]

Haven't tried it, but I know of it, it was originally designed for the Krag, and it would equal the accuracy of the service round at 600 yards. Data available at castboolits.com 50gr of a surplus powder, WC860 should net close to 2000fps at relatively low pressure.

[charles isaac]

I have only shot jacketed 185s and 220s, but there is a steel match for late 1800s military rifles that calls for lead bullets at under 1500 FPS. The Lyman/Ideal 311284 seemed to be the way to go until you posted your results.

[andiarisaka]

Don't give up on the 311284 too soon, you're not easily going to find the B&M mould. Try 14 or 15gr of Blue Dot under the 311284, and use a magnum primer. Seat the boolit out to touch the rifling. Cast of WW should be ok. Most important thing is to slug the bore of your Krag. Most of mine are .310 groove diameter and I size bullets to .311. What ranges are you shooting in these matches?

[andiarisaka]

Lyman 311413 is a near duplicate of the Belding and Mull, it was the original "Squibb" bullet, designed by a fellow named Squibb.

[charles isaac]

The matches go out in Nebraska.

I always just shot Krags for fun, loading a jacketed 220 over 40gr of IMR 4350. Cast bullets seem to be a good alternative to the current ammo situation.

The best I could find for pre sized gas checked 311284s was $50 for 500. I wont have the time for doing my own casting for a while but would like to get into it. Looking at getting a vintage Ideal 311284 mould, just because. Still need to find a good casting pot too.

[andiarisaka]

Before you start shooting cast, make sure you get all the copper out of your bore. I don't think you'll beat the price you've found, the gaschecks alone are over .03 cents apiece now. Let me know what other powders you have available and we'll find a load below 1500fps for you. You're going to Nebraska from N. Carolina for a match? Wow!

[Vern Humphrey]

What weight is that bullet?

Your load is similar to Ed Harris' "The Load" -- 13.0 grains of red dot for any case equal to the .308/.30-40 and up. As I recall, Ed used standard primers.

[charles isaac]

You're going to Nebraska from N. Carolina for a match? Wow!

Combat move and shoot match along with some 100 yard acurracy shots with pre 1903 post 1865 military cartridge rifles. Sounds like a lot of fun huh?

Thanks for the offer with help for the loads. I have some 4320 and 4831 (I think). I believe the 4831 is for magnums, which I have zero of.


Vern, I think I have heard about that universal load for cast bullets. Do you have a link?