I just bought 2 303 enfields.I want to either build something with more get up an go to it than the 303(i know it's almost the same as 30-40 krag)an more powerful than 30-06.Same thing to use on large deer,hogs etc.Or something for long range work on varmits.But heres the catch,I want to be able to still use the military mag than goes with the rifle.Any suggestions.Oh,almost forgot,more intested in fuction than pretty

Slewfoot Which rifles do you have? The most common are the # 1 Mark III followed by the # 4 Mark I. Neither are designed for real high pressure loads but the # 4 will handle a little more pressure that the # 1. The action is quite springy and with the locking lugs on the rear of the bolt cases will stretch badly and only last for a couple loadings. Most military chambers were so badly oversized that even resizing the cases in std 303 British dies overworks the cases so badly they only last a couple or three reloads. I use a 308 win size die to size the necks only and not push the shoulder back at all. That helps with case life. About the best you can safely hope for is about 2400 to 2500 fps with a 180 gr bullet. That is quite effective if you put it in the right spot. I've also found the 180 gr Rem SPCL to be very effective out to approx 200 yds. If you want to go to a larger caliber there is the 8mm or 338 Epps that fed quite well . There was also a 35 Epps but they did not all feed from the clip. That would also require re-barrelling and custom dies. I would suggest if your can't get the job done with the 303 British you would be better off selling them and putting your money towards a stronger action. A good used 35 Whelan or 338 Win might be better

It's a 4,I figured anything interesting would have to have a new barrel.Just ain't got a clue what I could have it redone to.An I know I'd have to reload for it(got a new one from Santa).Course I figured out to do that yet either,(maybe I better tell the Misses to up my life insurance before I start playing with is).

The best bet would be the 303 Epps Imp or the 30-40 ackley imp. Very similar rounds except the 30-40 uses .308 cal bullets and the 303 epps uses .311. Much better selection of .308 cal bullets. You would also find it easier to locate a gunsmith with a 30-40 Ackley reamer than a 303 Epps. Performance would be between a 308 and 30-06.

Here in Australia some No4's have been converted to .405 Winchester, I think basically new barrel and modified mag. Single stacker from memory

Steve

If you can, get hold of Ackley's Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders. He did quite a bit of work on the .303 case back in the 60s, and came up with some rather impressive wildcats. I have to believe that with the slower powders, the ballistics would be even better...

Thank for everybodys help on this.Doubless..I'm looking on the net for a copy now.

A No4 is an okay action to play with as many have been converted to .223Rem and .308Win for competition ... but lets be safe and steer away from high pressure loadings. Options include 303/22 (bit faster than a 223Rem ... potentially much faster ... many variations!), 303/25 (perhaps the best all-rounder??), 303/270, 303/35. No4 actions have been rejigged as 7.62x54Rs ... 444Marlin (used a .410shotgun magazine though) and 405Win as mentioned. For what your intending, 303British sounds pretty good.
Cheers...
Con

375 winchester ... better to chamber it for 38-55 and so mark the barrel, in mississippi.. as that was originially a black pwder round

Con...I got a deal on 2 of them.One is still mil-spec so I'm gonna leave that one a 303.The other one somebody had alraedy sportered the stock,so I figured I'd wildcat it.Either some thing for coyotes etc,or bigger for hogs or deer.If I do a hog gun it would have to be able to put some smackdown on at least 200 pounders.Yotes I would need at least 200 yards of reach.Hogs(deer)10 yards to 100 yards max.

quote:

Yotes I would need at least 200 yards of reach.Hogs(deer)10 yards to 100 yards max.

You'll be hard-pressed to improve on the stock 303 for these applications. The cartridge case isn't the limiting factor here, the action is. I even like the #4 sights.

But there's nothing wrong with looking for a project, and it can be a fun and educational experience.

As mentioned above, Ackley did a number of wildcats on the 303 that all would likely feed perfectly. I like the idea of a 6.5 x 303 improved. You can get a custom reamer made at very reasonable prices (< $200).

Slewfoot,
I had the pleasure of varmint hunting with a scoped 303/22Falcon built on a SMLE action quite a few years back. It was a mate's rifle and we chronographed it with factory ammunition at just above very respectable 223Rem velocities. Shot MOA as well which was a surprise at the time. Another friend hunts with an $80 sporterised .303 SMLE that I've witnessed too many times shoot 3-shot MOA groups ... we call it his "POS deer rifle" . I play with a 303/25 that in a P14 leaves nothing to be desired compared to a modern loaded 257Roberts, in a SMLE your basically talking comfortable 250/3000 ballistics, possibly a bit more in the No4. Another friend's son shoots a SMLE (singleshot) in 22Hornet which is also okay but not as accurate as required. Before giving up on the No4 in a bog-standard 303British ... try some reloads using the Hornady 123gr. You might find its perfect for your needs. If you want to build something though ... do the 303/35 ... feed it pistol projectiles for varmints and load it appropriately when getting stuck into the hogs/deer ... feel secure in the 10shot magazine capacity ... slick action and those awesome battle sights . The 'smith I've asked to build a 303/35 doesn't use custom reamers either ... just combinations of reamers (body/neck/throat) although being in Australia means you have an option of some "improved" designs as well.
Cheers...
Con

I have seen several recently, that were converted to 45-70...?

Rich