I have always used autoloaders so, I do hope I don't embarrass myself too much, as this will be my first highpower match with a bolt gun.
And yes, I am using cast boolits, Lyman 311644, that has proved so very accurate. Maybe it won't be so hot that the lube runs off!
Now, if I can only work that bolt, get correct sight picture, and squeeze the trigger for 10 times in 60 seconds...........Whew, I'm giving myself out just thinking about it!!-JDL

JDL, man true to my my own heart. Cast boolits for high power!!! I've been shooting a Rock Island 03 with Lyman target sights all season this year. I'm a lefty, working a RH bolt, and still have plenty of time. It's all rythm. Last season I shot a really souped up 700 in .308 (jacketed bullets), and while the scores were a little better, I'm having alot more fun this year. I only compete against myself. I think that over the winter, I'm going to do a little work on the rifle, perhaps a bed it in a Bell and Carlson stock, a taller riser on the rear sight (for longer range), a Timney trigger, etc. All just for fun. The fellers I shoot with are awed by cast boolits, they just can't get over it. sundog

JDL....No difference between cast and jacketed....cast are a little more accurate (IMHO), it takes more wind correction and a new set of sight adjustments.

I recall shooting in the 1st Army Matches in the early 70s. We were shooting the NM M-14s and we'd be alongside some old guy shooting a 1903. Normally, because of his experience, he's clean our plow with that old bolt gun.....even in the rapid fire stages.

That's all it takes.....hours and years of practice....and fun./beagle

Cast for high power ... been doing it for nearly 40 years now, with a short hiatus while on the Navy Team. The guys at Crane frowned on use of cast bullets in their Grade A Mk2-1 and M-14's. However, when no one was lookin', I did use a 311284 load in the .300 Win Mag 1000 yard rifle, but only for short range practice (200-300 yards). Today I am shooting mostly as-issued (or "nearly" as-issued) M1903's, 03A3's, Swiss K-31's and a Swiss 1911, and a variety of Mausers with cast. I won't set any National Records, but I am shooting low Master class scores and having more fun doing it. We need more folks on the firing line with cast....

Resp'y,
Bob S.

........The Lyman 311284 was one of the first 4 or 5 bullet designs for the new fangled GC's. It was designed specificly for use in the 30-40 Krag for 600 yard work. If it has one failing it's lube capacity. Yet that negative was voiced before Javalina or any of the newer hi-tech lubes.

........Buckshot

Buckshot:

I first started using the 311284 in pre-Alox days, with that old black Ideal stuff. It shot well enough with 42 grains of WW II surplus 4831 to stay in the ten ring of the then-new decimal high power target at 300 yards. I don't think it does any better with the Alox stuff, but certainly no worse. In a recently archeological dig of my bench, I unearthed a box of them cast in pre-Alox days, almost 40 years ago.

My supply of WW II surplus 4831 is dwindling so I need to try some of the new-production stuff.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

Well, it was an experience!! I had more fun than a person ought to learning the ropes of the bolt action for highpower.
I made a lot of mistakes, the worst one being, taking the rifle away from my shoulder twice for reloading, something I never do while hunting. Cost me bigtime and I saved 3 rounds in stage 2, but in stage 3 I managed to fire all ten within the 70 seconds limit.
Sundog was right about it being rythm, once I calmed down and started doing things right it went pretty smooth with loads of fun.
Everyone was amazed with the cast boolits, especially the powder charge! A couple asked to fire some after the match and I may have some converts. I was somewhat impressed as to how hot the barrel became during the rapid fire stages! Nevertheless, 311644 looks real nice in a stripper clip and shot superbly when I did my job. Have I commented on how much fun I had!! And a grand time was had by all!!-JDL

JDL, shot high power Saturday morning. A feller shouldn't be allowed to have so much fun, but it can happen. How about 715-5X? All kinds of time in rapid fire stages even when one round almost fell out of the clip during reload. Rythm! I'm pretty well convinced that over the winter, this old RI 03 is going to be a project gun - new Bell & Carlson stock w/bedding, Timney Sporter trigger, some minor sight changes, etc. Gonna have to try the 311284 (and 314299) again. I've used it before and it did really well - especially in my scoped 03 Sporter with 2-groove bbl. Lately I've been using the RCBS 308-165-SIL exclusively in several 03/03A3s with very good results. sundog

edit-I almost forgot to mention that I also use Felix lube exclusively and do NOT clean the bore. Some of these rifle have over 2,500 without a swabbing, and they keep getting 'mo betta'!

[ 08-25-2003, 17:00: Message edited by: sundog ]