My favorite loads are the two "International Match" loads from the early 1930s. That was originally 36.4 grains of HiVel 2 and the 172 grain GI bullet. The bullet left the muzzle at 2200 fps and the pressure was about 29,000 psi. Back in 1937, Phil Sharpe gave the DuPont equivalent as 38.8 grains of IMR 3031 with corrosive priming. That load was supposed to generate about 29,600 psi and push the 172 grain GI bullet at 2260 fps. Try the 3031 load with the 168 grain match bullet. You may want to tinker with the load by a couple of tenths. Shoots well in a classic Hammerli Martini, in my DHT issue 03, and in my Newton. Shoots less well in a Remington 03A1 and not well at all in a Remington 03A3.
I should also add that the 3031 load shoots well in the M-1 and functions the action. Another friend is a military rifle shooter but he has severe arthritis in his shooting shoulder. He can only shoot a few rounds of GI ball without pain. But says he can shoot the 3031 load "all day long".
Last edited by waterman; 11/01/09 11:08 AM.
