My weapon of choice was a M1903a3. It has a straight stock and an M1 cotton sling. I took off the front sight protector, and I made sure it had upward pressure on the barrel at the front of the stock. Off of bags I had put five rounds of a 0.314 Loverin into one largish hole at 25 yards a few years ago. I knew this dog would hunt.
As per this forum, the LC match cases were fl sized. A custom Lyman M die spud opened the necks to accept a LEE 312-160TL that had the checks put on in a LEE 0.314 die. I used White Label Lube 45:45:10 as per Gary's method. I used 16 grains of Alliant 2400 and WLR primers. I also got some good stainless steel stripper clips. I seated to the crimp groove and had and OAL of 3.08". This just has the tiniest amount of resistance chambering and would extract without leaving the bullet in the bore.
With the sight set on 700 and 10 clicks of left windage it will hold center with a 6:00 hold at 100 yards. I had a little issue at one match where I moved the rear sight with my sleeve or clip, and had two nice five shot groups, one in the 10 ring and one on the backer at 6:00 about a foot low during a rapid fire string.
On Saturday, TTurner53 and myself lined up for the match. Because of the range design (benches and posts) we stay in position and do not stand prior to the rapid fire string. It is an A match, so no sitting. A few thin clouds, 60 degrees, sun to our right but flat light, and no wind it was a perfect day. I was the only cast shooter, TT did have his 03a3 and everyone else were shooting M1's. The sounds were fun, the jacketed rounds were “Blam, snick". Mine were “Thunk, thwap". At the end I had a 95-0, 98-3X and a 73-1X. This was good enough for second overall and a CMP Springfield Bronze medal. I have never been able to shoot offhand consistently except poorly. In practice with a pellet rifle, I can hold 8-10 MOA. In matches I get the shakes and my legs suddenly forget how to hold still. I kidded TT that I need to get some medical marijuana and mix it with some LLA for a soothing lube smoke. Just the thing for anxious shooters.
Seriously, I want to thank everyone here for their part in making me a better cast competitor. I know that at times we may not agree with each other, but I am sure it would be pretty boring forum if we all thought the same way. Like I said at the beginning, if you just follow directions, it is hard to make a mistake.
Dave
