Author Topic: Best bullet for 03-A3  (Read 487 times)

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Offline jmckinley

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Best bullet for 03-A3
« on: November 26, 2007, 06:09:03 AM »
 ??? My sporterized 03 shoots 150 gr bullets inside an inch, but when i try 165 slugs it simply will not group them worth a darn. it's a 2 groove barrel and do you think 180 would work? I have tried the Winchester Power Points and federal Fusion in 165 and 3 or 4 inch groups with fliers. The 150 power points shoot inside an inch all day. I have less than 3 weeks o figure this out. I have a Cow elk hunt on 15 Dec. Help!!!!!!!!  Jess
Jess

Offline Savage

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Re: Best bullet for 03-A3
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2007, 01:14:32 AM »
I would play with the powder charges and seating depth to see if I could get the 165s to shoot. You don't have much time for load development, so if you can't get it to group with that bullet, I'd be just fine using the 150.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Best bullet for 03-A3
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2007, 01:43:23 AM »
Jess:  try 47 gns of 4895 under the 180 gn slug for about 2650+'/sec.  This is the accuracy load we used for the M1 Garand and it shot very accurately in my M17 which probably had the same barrel (rate/twist) as your Springer.  I have also found that 2 groove barrels like the 150s and the 180s.  I also found that 60 gns of 4831, which is a compressed load, under the 180 gn slug and sends them out at about 2850+'/sec was wickedly accurate.

Seems the old barrels - two grooves or those with the left hand twist - like the heavier slugs.  My M17 used to eat that heavy stuff up all day long and never had a problem.  HTH and Good Luck.  Mikey.

Offline hylander

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Re: Best bullet for 03-A3
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2007, 01:41:55 PM »
Try one of these, this is from my 03-A3 Sporter with 2 groove.





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Offline 41 mag

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Re: Best bullet for 03-A3
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2007, 03:07:24 AM »
Do you load your own or only shoot the factory loads?

If loading your own, you might try using RL-22 or H-4350 with the 165gr loads. If you need something more than a standard bullet, use the Nosler Accubond or Hornady Interbond. Both can be had in 150gr and 165gr weights, as well as Hornady's standard Interlock's. Most of these can all be had in the 180 gr weights as well but for your rifle I would stick with using a standard bullet over the newer types simply doe to the velocity you will be driving them to. When you get starting velocities of around 2800 the impact velocities sometimes do not promote good expansion from the heavier bonded core bullets as well. There is also the Remington Core Lokts as well to choose from.

If shooting only factory you might give the Hornady 165gr Interbond in either the standard or Light Magnum load a try, as well as the Remington 165gr Core Lokts. I know they aren't the newfangled stuff but they do have a long repetition for working.

I have three 03A3's with the same barrels of which only one has shot factory ammo since I owned it. IT shot the Remington 165 load great keeping them under 2" at 100yds easily in a pretty stiff wind. Both of the others have done exceptionally well with the powders listed above and Win cases and primers. They will both shoot 1" at 100yds and most times if I do my part will generally get somewhat smaller in good conditions. One thing I onted with them all is a very good or extensive cleaning did wonders for them initially. Not knowing the history behind yours, you might give it a really good scrubbing with some Montana Extreme or Sweets, just to be sure you got the crud removed. Then a good coat of oil on a couple of patches and your in business. After this was done on mine they now shoot just about any weight I choose reliably. I however have no need for anything heavier than the 165's.

Wish you the best on your hunt and hope you find a load which works in yours.

Offline jmckinley

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Re: Best bullet for 03-A3
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2007, 06:02:31 AM »
 ;D I finally settled on the Hornady Intelock 150gr BTSP for this cow hunt. I simply don't have the time to develop a load for it. I have tried Cor-lokt, Federal, Winchester 165's and this rifle just won't group them for beans. 2-2-4 inches at best. The 150's into an inch or less. Best group was 1/2 inch. That sounds like minute of Elk to me. I will try your suggestions when I devote enough time to the bench.  Thanks, Jess
Jess