Did a search here for some info on reloading the .303 but really didn't find much so hence my question. I've just started reloading for this round and have read all the cautions/precautions about it.
So what are you loading using the Sierra 174gr MK. Why the 174? Well the later Enfield were using this weight as the standard military round, as far I I can read, and figured this was a good one to load! Now rifle is a No. 4 Mk 2 built in '55 and really superior condition i.e unfired when I bought it!1
SO what are you using?? I'm currently trying a load of IMR 4064 40.7grs and really looking to load some Varget, LOTS of it on-hand.
Thanks in advance for the assist!!
Sarge

Varget should be fine, although I prefer IMR4895 for the .303. Have you seen this site: http://www.303british.com/

S40

Why 174? It was the military weight.

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Well, sarge, I've had real good performance from .308" bullets in several .303's using both the Sierra 180 and 200-grain PSPBT's with IMR 4350. In one jungle carbine, I got 1" 5-shot groups with the 200 grainer at 2100 FPS MV from a load of IMR 4350.

A lot of people refuse to believe me, but .308" bullets quite often shoot very well in .303's and 7.65mm Argentine Mausers. Also in some Moisins and CZ's in 7.62X39mm.

here's a group shot with both Sierra and Nosler Partition 200-grain .308" bullets from an Argentine Mauser.



A groups shot with 150-grain .308 Sierras from a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62X39mm. (Lower right hand gropup).

quote:

Originally posted by El Deguello:
A lot of people refuse to believe me, but .308" bullets quite often shoot very well in .303's and 7.65mm Argentine Mausers. Also in some Moisins and CZ's in 7.62X39mm.

Hi, El D -

I know what you say is true. At the same time, I think the .303 is one of the military chamberings of the world where it really pays to "slug" the bore (measure its groove diameter) before deciding what to try in it.

One of the members of my rifle forum was having troubles even with .311" bullets. On suggestion, he slugged his military Lee-Enfield barrel (an original, not a re-barrel) and found it to be .316"!! He had a mould made to get bullets large enough to fit his barrel and now gets quite decent accuracy with it.

I am using the Sierra .311 180gr Pro-Hunter, Winchester Primers and various weights of RL-15.
I get excellent results from my No1 MkIII and my No4 MkI.
RL-15 has become my #1 powder for medium rounds. I use it in 300 Savage and 308 also. As soon as I get the dies and brass I'll be using it in 7.62x54R.

ZM

quote:

Hi, El D -
I know what you say is true. At the same time, I think the .303 is one of the military chamberings of the world where it really pays to "slug" the bore (measure its groove diameter) before deciding what to try in it.

yes, no doubt. I hear some are as large as .314" or perhaps .315". The same applies to the 7.7 Jap and the 7.62X54R, at least in the Russian-made ones.

SARGE:

Was going through some of my old loading records last evening. I came upon my .303 British 200-grain .308" Nosler Partition chronograph test record page from 27 SEPT 84.

This test resulted in a 0.5", 5-shot 100-yard group shot from an 18" No. 5 Jungle carbine as-issued except for a 4X Weaver scope.

The load consisted of 47 grains of IMR 4350 with the Nosler bullet, Fed 210 primers in WW cases. IV @ 10' was 2145.25 FPS. This from an 18" barrel. It would have about another 150 FPS from a 24" barrel. This was a mild but accurate load, which later killed several large mulies in Montana that year.

Another test the same year with the Sierra 180-grain .311 bullet used 52 grains of WW 748 powder and produced 2600 FPS from that 18" barrel. This was a hot load, as cases only lasted two shots before signs of head separation showed up!! I'd cut this load at least 2 grains.

I also test-fired some FN .303 174-grain military ammo that same fall. It was loaded with some kind of ball powder, and the bullets miked .314". I think these are the same exact bullets FN was loading in military 7.65X53mm Belgian/Argentine Mauser ammo in the 1970's. Anyway, this military stuff produced 2100 FPS @ 10" from the No.5, which would probably give close to 2400 FPS if shot in a 25" No. 4. I believe +- 2400 FPS with the 174-grain spitzer boattail is the "standard" for mil spec .303 ammo.

303 Enfields can be all the way to 32 cal.
Slug and measure.
Good luck!