I heading to Canada next month for black bear. My question is this: is the .303 British enough gun if I can push a 180 gr. Remington roundnose bullet 2200 fps ? Also, how about a 150 gr. Hornady at 2250 fps ? Thanks.

For gosh sakes Frank, the 303 is Canada's national cartridge. It is used on everything fron Grouse to Moose! derf

And shooting SPAM sandwiches with catchup.

Frank,
I would go with the 180 grain loads and skip the 150s.
Beyond that, just don't make the shot a 500 yd shot of a bear.
Beyond that, at normal ranges it will do a superb job.

Being a Yank on that side of the border, you will probably impress the Canucks with a 303 alot more than if you hauled up an '06 of something.

Bring the 303, and learn the two Canadian phrases you need to know and they will love you
1. Eh? ( american version of huh?)
2. Let's Have a Beer Eh?

That should make you Golden in their eyes!

Just verify it with my BC buddy Derf

Cheers and Good shooting ( eh?)
seafire

Canadian factory loads for the .303 are a lot more ambitious than US loads, in the examples I've chronographed some years back.

"Imperial" 180-grain loads ran right at 2500 fps from a 25" #4 Mk1/2 Lee Enfield, whereas Winchester and Remington loads barely made 2300 fps with 180-grain bullets. Norma factory loads are also much warmer than US loadings.

The .303 was my first hunting rifle, 'way when I was a lad in Canada, and I cleanly killed moose and black bear with it on a routine basis. Shots were not long, typically under 100 yards, but it worked great (including an episode shooting for my life against a bear which died at two FEET from the muzzle of a #5 "Jungle Carbine").

Slick action, good cartridge, and a classic combination. Enjoy.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Certainly a vast amount of moose and bear have met their demise at the hands of the venerable old .303. The bullets have a decent ballistic co-efficient, and preferrably the Semi-Pointed design. They raise merry old hell in a moose's
boiler room. A moose isn't all that hard to kill, he's just big. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I seem to remember that a 200 grain factory load was the premier Canadian moose and bear round in the fifties and sixties. Was just about universal in Newfoundland anyway.

I'd classify it right in there with a 300 Savage or a 30/40 Krag, and the heavier bullets are preferred in Africa where it is quit popular...It'll do if your carefull and pick your shots, and thats always a good thing to do if you can.

To bad you can't get some 215 gr loads for your 303. I shoot a 215 gr Woodleigh out of my single shot. The Brits shot a lot of game over the years in the Empire with that load. The 180 gr will work fine for you. If you hand load, get some 215 gr Woodlieghs you will not be sorry.

Frank,

Ross Seyfried had an article in Rifle magazine a few years ago (issue #188; Mar-Apr 2000 issue) about the .303 British and the .30-40 Krag. You'd enjoy the article if you can find a copy or order a back issue from Wolfe Publishing. He had a gorgeous single shot in .303 but I can't remember the make right now. It was an original British falling block.

The back issue is available at Rifle Magazine's web site:
http://www.riflemagazine.com/backissues/index.cfm
March 2000 issue.
.303 British and .30-40 Krag
Turn-of-the-century classics.
by Ross Seyfried

-Bob F.

Like BruceB, I found comfort in a Lee Enfield years ago in Canada.

Mine was a Jungle Carbine. The 10 shot magazine was the comforting part during a bit of a go-round with a polar bear. One can spare a few warning shots when you have 10 of them at your disposal...

Those rifles used to sell for 40 bucks (and Canuck bucks at that!). Sure wish I had that rifle now. Guys, you should never sell'em, just buy more!

Quote:

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The .303 was my first hunting rifle, 'way when I was a lad in Canada, and I cleanly killed moose and black bear with it on a routine basis. Shots were not long, typically under 100 yards, but it worked great (including an episode shooting for my life against a bear which died at two FEET from the muzzle of a #5 "Jungle Carbine").

Slick action, good cartridge, and a classic combination. Enjoy.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

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The amazing thing about my newly acquired .303 is that I only paid $235. for it, and that included a synthetic stock and scope mount & rings; and when I shoot it, instead of wondering how to make it shoot better, I'm asking myself "Why does this thing shoot so well" (1 1/4" at 100 yds.). Great value !!!