31 August 2002, 12:50
Johnny RingoReloading the .303 british
Anyone here load this caliber??
31 August 2002, 13:05
ClarkThere is the 303 page with loads and a 303 forum:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/303Page.htmThe guy that runs it believes that the P14/P17 can take more pressure than the Enfield No 1 and 4, which I think he got from the first Ackley volume. I think that those roles were somewhat reversed by the second volurme, but Steve is a great guy and has been selling a 303 load book for a while.
31 August 2002, 17:28
Steve RedgwellNow Clark, don't put words in my mouth
![[Smile]](images/icons/smile.gif)
The P14/M1917 action is stronger than a Lee Enfield action. You need only ask a gunsmith familiar with these. I didn't get that from Ackley. I got that from my training and from observing/reading about work done in the past with conversions of the P14/M1917 actions.
I'll have to reread that, but if Ackley thought that No 1 and No 4s were stronger than P14s he must have stopped taking his meds.
Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
303british.com
31 August 2002, 20:31
PeteI load .303 Brit here in England where, quite frankly, for plinking at paper targets, it isn't really economic (I know, I know) compared to the cost of milsurplus ammo.
I've loaded some rounds for deer and one day I'll get around to using them but for now, "replica" service loads give me more pleasure when hand loaded than when bought over the counter.
01 September 2002, 02:42
NBHunterA friend of mine loads for the old brit round quite often. He swears by IMR4064 and Hornady bullets. He owns about 12 .303's but only one is a p14 and it is the most accurate (and stongest)of any. I would avoid trying to get a long case life from the SMLE's as they have pretty loose headspace and brass will start to separate after heavier loads are used. He mostly loads for the p14 anyway and he keeps neck sizing so the brass will last longer. He can break 4.5" clay targets at 175 yards with the original sights quite regularly about 70% of the time.