to run at what they were 43mA then as you have calculated 50-60ohm, yes.
but imo thats a little high to be running them, i have worked with thousands of led's at the place where i used to work and in tones of different applications and they never got hot as frank says they did at 30ohm. but i agree they dont look bright enough at 120ohm. but i think that the calculated 43mA is too high, but that depends on the specified value in the datasheet, which we dont have.
i mean ive got in my hand now as i type some 3 watt led's which run at 750mA and they will take your skin off with the heat but there supposed to do that and are attached to a heatsink.
frank if youve got one left measure the current draw on a standard lamp with standard batteries, also i could get you white led's cheaper than the 3 for a pound ones your currently using.