Hi all I was wondering if anybody colud help me out with a few questions about loading the .303. Does it use .311 bullets? Any powder suggestions? Thanks in advance. And btw they will b used in n0 4 mk1 enfield
.303 British
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papajohn428
Member
Yes, the .303 uses .311 bullets, the round was first produced with a 215-grain bullet but modern ammo uses 150's and 180's for the most part. I have a 7.7mm Japanese Arisaka which is ballistically similar, and uses the same .311 bullets. Slugging your bore to determine ACTUAL groove diameter would be a good idea, as there can be quite a disparity from one gun to the next. If the bore is notably oversize, cast bullets might be your best bet if serious accuracy is a concern.
Powders? I've had great luck with the 4895's in several of my rifles, IMR-4895 has been used in military ammunition for many decades, and gives good service. But there are literally dozens of powders that would work, pretty much anything in that general "mid-bore" burning range like Varget, Benchmark, IMR-4064, etc. I'd start with H-4895 because it meters better, it may be all you ever need.
Powders? I've had great luck with the 4895's in several of my rifles, IMR-4895 has been used in military ammunition for many decades, and gives good service. But there are literally dozens of powders that would work, pretty much anything in that general "mid-bore" burning range like Varget, Benchmark, IMR-4064, etc. I'd start with H-4895 because it meters better, it may be all you ever need.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have a few friends who own and load for a 303 British Enfield. Although there's nothing wrong with 4895, 4064 and Varget they get the best results with BL-C(2). Using a 174gr bullet that powder delivers the highest velocity and the best accuracy of all the powders they tried. I shot their reloads and the ones using BL-C(2) feel most like the surplus 303 British ammo we shot along with the reloads. You might want to give BL-C(2) a try or it's surplus cousin, WC846.
I've done a bit of loading for my 303s and bigger is better as to bullet
dia. because most rifles will have oversize bores. I like the Hornady
150 gr .312 dia. bullet. Medium burning rate powders like 4895, 4064,
3031 and 748 are fine. I think modest loads at around 2400-2500 fps
with a 150 gr bullet are best because if you strive for highest velocity
full power loads in the 303 expect case life to be VERY short.
dia. because most rifles will have oversize bores. I like the Hornady
150 gr .312 dia. bullet. Medium burning rate powders like 4895, 4064,
3031 and 748 are fine. I think modest loads at around 2400-2500 fps
with a 150 gr bullet are best because if you strive for highest velocity
full power loads in the 303 expect case life to be VERY short.
Roundsworth
US Veteran
Cast bullets are a nice alternative for recreational shooting. IMR 3031 is a good choice for GC cast loads. Unique is listed for numerous rifle cartridges with cast bullets, but I prefer a powder that fills the case a bit more. I used to have a nice 1905 Ross, but am expecting a Ruger No. 1 in .303 to arrive today. My other .303 is a No. 4 Mk 1. The Ross really beat up the brass, so I used a 7.7 Japanese neck sizing die to avoid over-working the brass. Good luck!
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RobsTV
Member
Slugging the bore can be tough since the 303 most likely has a 5 groove barrel.
Seems the best way is to remove the bolt, then drop in a soft lead slug into the chamber, gently tapping it into the "throat". You should press the lead in until it just touches the rifling. From muzzle, tap lead back out of chamber. You will see rifling marks on slug if you went too far. The smoothed section without rifling nearest the rifling will be measurable and give correct size.
I too prefer the Hornady 150 gr .312 dia. bullet. Just switched from 4895 and 3031 to 4064, but have yet to test the new powder.
Correctly setup and you should get 1/2" or better groups at 100 yards, (as long as you are as good as the Enfield).
Here is my No.4 Mk1 (T)
Seems the best way is to remove the bolt, then drop in a soft lead slug into the chamber, gently tapping it into the "throat". You should press the lead in until it just touches the rifling. From muzzle, tap lead back out of chamber. You will see rifling marks on slug if you went too far. The smoothed section without rifling nearest the rifling will be measurable and give correct size.
I too prefer the Hornady 150 gr .312 dia. bullet. Just switched from 4895 and 3031 to 4064, but have yet to test the new powder.
Correctly setup and you should get 1/2" or better groups at 100 yards, (as long as you are as good as the Enfield).
Here is my No.4 Mk1 (T)
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the .303 enfield is my favorite military rifle...i have 4 (plus mausers, arisakas, french mas's, mosins and steyrs).
for jacketed bullet loads, powders and bullets listed will serve you well, for cast bullets, 17-18 gr of 2400 is hard to beat; cheap, no positional sensitivity, easy on the gun and you, accurate and 1800 fps!
for jacketed bullet loads, powders and bullets listed will serve you well, for cast bullets, 17-18 gr of 2400 is hard to beat; cheap, no positional sensitivity, easy on the gun and you, accurate and 1800 fps!
calmex
Member
Budman, what weight of bullet are you using? I just got a Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk III* with a nice fine bore and butchered wood. Barrel is not cut, so I will restore it to it's original elegance over time.
I was planning on reloading using the Lyman #314299 bullet which I hear weighs around 200 to 208 grains depending on the mix. I will slug the determine bore-size using the RobTV method mentioned above for correct sizing diameter. I was also planning on using 2400 as a powder but my own manuals show around 22.0+ grains to get 1,800 fps with 2400 and a 200 grain bullet.
I would like to be in the 1,700 - 1,800 fps range, however, as we do have a fine 500 meter range with metal knock-down targets and people on staff to run out and set them back up. This is Mexico, remember, and the Metal Chicken game may have started here. I think my old Lee Enfield will be most fun to play with.
1HAWKEYE
Member
.303 british loads
Derek, Hornady makes a .311 dia. 174 gr fmj bullet that matches the old British mk7 ball (bullet) perfectly they also make a soft point version for hunting. IMR 4064 is an excellent powder choice and if you neck size your cases they will last a lot longer. Hope this helps good luck.
Derek, Hornady makes a .311 dia. 174 gr fmj bullet that matches the old British mk7 ball (bullet) perfectly they also make a soft point version for hunting. IMR 4064 is an excellent powder choice and if you neck size your cases they will last a lot longer. Hope this helps good luck.
Teddydog
Member
When I first started reloading for my P14, I used Sierra 150 gr SP spitzers and IMR 4350. Yup...4350. Not an efficient or cheap load with that powder, but I got some outstanding accuracy with it. I have also had creat results with IMR 3031.
Rob
Rob
My 303 Enfield has a 2-groove barrel. Jacketed bullets were very accurate, but cast had to be loaded down to 1300 fps to get any accuracy. 400 yard sight setting was point impact for 100 yards and a 2-1/2" group size. Bang..........thunk! But sure was fun!!
Please , could you kindly let us know more about powder , bullets weight , mould , etcc... you utilize .
in effect i'm very interested (but never tryed ) in to cast and shoot alloy bullets with my n. 4 Long Branch ( five groove )
actually i shoot only jacketed bullets ( Sierra Mk SPBT 174 gr
over 40,0 gr about of IMR 4064 ) - a great accuracy but i wouldlike to avoid to fatigue in excess my favourite old ( 1945 ) gun
thank you in advance
CC
Lately I've been lazy reloading most center fire rifle rounds and have been using 12gr RedDot in all of them.
303B,,30-06,,8mm,,30-40Krag
Cast or jacket,,what ever I have. I have a big box of pulled AK bullets (123gr I think) and they do nicely in the Enfields too with the load.
Rear sight up for elevation for this load,,but the Krag will do 1.5" from an elbow rest at 100m w/ 180gr cast.
The MkI* SMLE & BSA CLLE both do about the same (not quite though!) w/.311 jacketed.
All very easy to load. Scoop measured powder. Neck size the brass,,it lasts forever it seems. I don't crimp the loads, just seat the bullet in the sized neck.
Very easy on the shooter and rifle. Mine are all pre WW1 (30-06 is a Sedgley Springfield Low#, 8mm is an 88 sporter), so I don't mind that they want me to take it easy.
Heavy stuff in the 303's is still HXP Milsurp. That's running low though.
303B,,30-06,,8mm,,30-40Krag
Cast or jacket,,what ever I have. I have a big box of pulled AK bullets (123gr I think) and they do nicely in the Enfields too with the load.
Rear sight up for elevation for this load,,but the Krag will do 1.5" from an elbow rest at 100m w/ 180gr cast.
The MkI* SMLE & BSA CLLE both do about the same (not quite though!) w/.311 jacketed.
All very easy to load. Scoop measured powder. Neck size the brass,,it lasts forever it seems. I don't crimp the loads, just seat the bullet in the sized neck.
Very easy on the shooter and rifle. Mine are all pre WW1 (30-06 is a Sedgley Springfield Low#, 8mm is an 88 sporter), so I don't mind that they want me to take it easy.
Heavy stuff in the 303's is still HXP Milsurp. That's running low though.
A question more about alloy bull. reloading
i see in my Lymann Cast Bullet Handb. it need power faster , and also in less quantity ( according to the tables ) then the usual
the question it is : because in this way the resulting powder charge will be about the half ( or less ) then the case volume , my be it need filling completely the case by some inert material ( cotton flake or other ) ?
please let me know your opinion about it
Thank you
CC
i see in my Lymann Cast Bullet Handb. it need power faster , and also in less quantity ( according to the tables ) then the usual
the question it is : because in this way the resulting powder charge will be about the half ( or less ) then the case volume , my be it need filling completely the case by some inert material ( cotton flake or other ) ?
please let me know your opinion about it
Thank you
CC
CCamer50,
PM sent with load data. DO NOT put filler in a case to hold the powder charge against the primer. You have no idea what happens to chamber pressure.
Take your rifle, a primed case only without powder or bullet, and fire the primer. Wear ear muffs before you pull the trigger. Primer flame will shoot out the barrel 2" to 6", enough flash and bang to ignite any powder charge.
PM sent with load data. DO NOT put filler in a case to hold the powder charge against the primer. You have no idea what happens to chamber pressure.
Take your rifle, a primed case only without powder or bullet, and fire the primer. Wear ear muffs before you pull the trigger. Primer flame will shoot out the barrel 2" to 6", enough flash and bang to ignite any powder charge.
