30-06 Cast Bullet Load with IMR 3031

[trapnbow]

Gentlemen,
I am soliciting reloading data for my sportorized 03A3 using a 173 grain cast lead, round nose bullet with gas check, Lyman 311291, using IMR 3031. My old Lyman book suggests 28 to 38 grains. I started midway with 33 grains. The resulting group is about 3 inches at 100 yards. Does anyone have any advise on either increasing or decreasing the load to obtain better results? Certainly someone out there has done this before. LOL
Thanks,

[aa1911]

damn, I think if I remember correctly, I used that bullet quite a bit when I was younger, often with the same powder. I do not remember how many grains but that should be a more accurate load I would think.

I actually achieved sub-MOA groups with that bullet in one of my O3A3's, iron sights no less at 100 yards. 2 groove barrel also!

Play around with different charges and if no workie, start looking at different powders. I would try the 3031 with 30, 31 and 32 gns to see if that changed anything, maybe even a 34 and 35 gn. As long as the bore is in good shape, you should be getting better groups I would think.

[aa1911]

yeah, just looked up that mold and that is the main one I used in the O3A3's. Have one in original form and one sporterized, both shoot very well. I used almost all cast bullets in the original one, that thing handles them quite well.

[trapnbow]

aa1911,
Thanks for the very prompt reply. I only had the rifle out once with the reloads and it might be shooting better than I think. It shoots to 1.5 inches with ball ammunition.
I have a large quantity of 3031 and figure that this is a good place to use the old, difficult to meter powder. I'm hopping that someone can save me the experiment time.
Thanks,

[aa1911]

yeah, sorry it's been a while since I reloaded for the O3A3's, they're at my dad's place now.

you could try the ladder test, there's a good thread on here if you haven't seen it yet, will save you lots of ammo to find a good load. I don't think you're far off though with the powder charge.

[trapnbow]

Aa1911,
Thanks again. I will search for that Ladder Test post. Any information that would save effort and time is appreciated.
I have not shot much rifle lead. I do know that too light or too heavy a load can have the bullet cartwheeling down the range.
Thanks,

[myfriendis410]

You might think about paper patching. Done right you can get jacketed velocity and accuracy with lead. There's a wealth of information out there.

[trapnbow]

Hi,
Paper patching is new to me. Not sure if I should get into that but will read about it. I try to learn something new every day. LOL
Thanks,