Custom Match Bullets for Lee Enfield

[cprher]

Dale Woolum of Charlottesville, VA has made and markets custom bullets for bench rest shooting. In particular, he makes a flat based 187 grain bullet with a very high BC, higher than any VLD or boattail bullet of similar weight. I asked him how difficult it would be to make the same bullet in .312" diameter instead of .308". His answer, not difficult at all.



The cost would be $635/1000, the same cost as for his .308s. However, he is not willing to go to the time and trouble of making a new .312" bullet die unless there is sufficient interest.

So, how many of you die hard Lee Enfield shooters would be interested enough to spend that kind of money? If someone can help me figure out how to insert a simple YES/NO poll into this thread that captures the numbers I'd much appreciate it.

If a 174 grain flat base bullet would be of more interest I can check into that as well.

Oh, and the bullet is optimized for a 1 in 12" twist.

Keith

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[stevebc]

Not me. That's quite pricey, even before taxes, and god knows if they can even be exported to Canada. If so, then there's customs and excise on top of that, so… no, thanks.

[Frederick303]

The reality is that if he made a 174 gr bullet that had a G1 BC over .411 then you might be able to get that kind of money. The issue would be how tough of a jacket the bullet would be, most of the custom bullets are not made with particularly tough jackets, with the deep rifling of the .303 rifles and the possibility of some rough throats, a tough jacket is kind of needed.

Case in point a fellow I know was having mediocre accuracy with sierra 174 grain .311 match bullets. He went to a similar load with some Russian 182 Grain FMJ steel jacket bullets (.311) and the accuracy of the load was much more consistent. That was in a used No4 MK I match rifle with what appeared to be a decent throat.

Not to say there would not be a market, with the many new and like new 1950s No4 MK II rifles, a decent flat based 174 gr MK VII equivalent bullet a lot of folks would be interested, but at 63 cents a bullet few would buy, given that the Hornaday 174 gr FMJ .311 bullets are around 28 to 31 cents per 1000 and seem to shoot fairly well in the new No4 MK II rifles.

[rickv100]

A swagging die set for .303 would coat about $1000 from Corbins. I have checked. I wish there was a copy of the official specifications for the Mark 7 bullet available.

Rick

[Bruce_in_Oz]

There are several drawings floating around the net. Rudimentary metrology (and a bit of surgery) on a sample of "originals" would validate said data and provide realistic tolerance figures.

If you can maintain the profile, meplat diameter weight and balance, you should be cooking.

I understand that several people, (apart from myself), have been in touch with the Corbins; thus far there has not exactly been a deluge of "new"Mk7" or "close equivalent" bullets.

Buying the forming tools and knocking out a few hundred at a time for personal use is one thing; setting up a facility for serious production is another.

Then again; Joyce Hornady and Vernon Speer started out in their kitchens / garages, as did the Huntingtons, (Rock Chucker Bullet Swage).

The bloke here in Oz who makes the BJD/HBC 155gn. "Palma" bullets, makes that projectile ONLY. He and his wife cannot keep up with demand. He also spent a LOT of money just getting established and sourcing the CORRECT materials. He has been "accosted" about making "our" bullet, but he simply can neither afford to shut down current production and re-tool, nor buy a complete second machinery line (and hire extra staff) at this juncture.

You also need something a bit beefier (and faster) than a "Rockchucker" press if you intend to exceed "personal use" production figures.

[sean6.555]

Bruce_in_Oz and all
Optmuis of HBC fame are in the process of tooling up for a .312 174gr HPFB as of my last conversation with Dave 6 weeks ago so watch this space.

[cprher]

No sense duplicating any effort. Please make sure you let us all know so we can send in our orders. However, will these be available in the US? According to the HBC website they have approval to export to the US, but does anyone know who distributes them in the US?

Keith

[sean6.555]

Will do and they ship internationally already so should not be a problem.

email them they will answer and seen to be good people.I have done a group buy of 5000 .30 cal from them with the guys at my club and no problems payed Monday and they were at my door by Friday and that was literaly from the other end of the country.

[ssj]

Bruce_in_Oz and all
Optmuis of HBC fame are in the process of tooling up for a .312 174gr HPFB as of my last conversation with Dave 6 weeks ago so watch this space.

I emailed him last week asking if I could get some as he said June but I have no reply off him as yet, so i wonder if its still a goer.

--edit-- just done it again see if i get a reply this time.

[rickv100]

Corbins wants to sell a swagging die set with a 6s profile. The Mark 7 is a 8.2 s profile. If HBC had the tooling made in the USA then there is a cutter set out there to make more dies.

Rick