Advice on 303 using Berry's .311 7.62 plated bullet, please?

[Canuck Bob]

The stars are lining up and I should be reloading within a week. I scored a local club membership so access to two local ranges is now secured. The club has a milsurp shoot a few times a year. I'm hoping to participate in the vintage class with the LE No5 starting in April. I've never competed as my shooting history was a bit solitary as a solo hunter.

Casting will be started over the summer when my health improves.

Until then I got some Berry's 123 gr .311 7.62X39 plated bullets. The price was right. They say treat them like cast bullets and set the limit at 1900 fps. The internet does have reports that vary from plinkers only to the claim of MOA! The bullets are blemish free and a bunch uniformly measured at slightly proud of .311. I weight checked 10 and there is some variations but the same as jacketed bullets I've checked. The rifle has a nice bore and I slugged the throat a few years ago. The throat is a tight .315, about .4 long, and the 5 grooves are a little less than .314. The slug measured .313 repeatedly at the start of the rifling. My best diameter estimate due to the 5 grooves.

I have IVI surplus brass, neck sizing, and have the following powders, H4895, IMR4198, IMR4227, and SR4759. How would you start this project? Would you consider a filler?

 

[fiver]

I wouldn't.
I'm sorry but your gonna have nothing but grief with this combination.
the copper is too thin it will strip and you'll end up with leading in the barrel.
that's just my opinion maybe someone else has had better luck.

those 311's work awesome in a 308 on top of up to 35grs of 4895 though.

 

[Canuck Bob]

Ouch fiver, I was worried about this. Your 308 report is encouraging though. This bullet is planned for a test in my micro groove 30-30 Handi too.

 

[fiver]

sorry man I just call it like I see it.
I used those by the hundreds to teach the kids to shoot big game rifles starting at about 28grs and just kept working up and up.
I might have been able to go past 35 but I was starting to think about using them for deer hunting and figured it was time to switch them over to jacketed.

 

[RicinYakima]

Bob, they will be great in the micro-groove 30/30 barrel.

 

[Canuck Bob]

I also got some Berry's .309 150 gr bullets for the 30-30. The little .311 bullet will make a dandy 30-30 bullet. I'm sure they will all get shot. I'll stay on this track for now.

The Service Rifle rules are still a mystery. Most likely if the Berry's don't shoot it will be Hornady .312 150 gr Spire Points while starting a greenhorn casting hobby. These are $40 per 100 and that is the standard for cheaper jacketed bullets in 303 up here. The cost of components is sure escalating.

The only reason handloading continues to make sense is the breathtaking cost of factory ammo. A buck and a half to two bucks a shot, wow! Makes a guy appreciate a 223 or Hornet a lot. I can roll a 223 round for less than the cost of a 303 bullet. The little hornet and 10 grains of powder has me considering the famous "Load" by Ed Harris. Give or take a bit 700 rounds for a pound of powder is tempting for 30-30s and 303s.

 

[fiver]

that Horn 312 is a good one.
my no-4 really likes the sierra 150 on top of 42grs of 4895 [same load I use in my 308's for hunting]
it unfortunately only comes at 311.