We have the same frustrations here in Canada when it comes to finding 174-180 gr FB .303 bullets. Fortunately, the problem for me is solved.
A friend who dabbles in bullet making, recently ordered and received a set of .303 bullet making dies from Corbin Mfg. He was smart and ordered the die with the same ogive as the original mk7 bullet. Now, while he is into making his own bullets, I've found that I can reform existing .308 match bullets into .303 FB's. I've reformed Sierra 175gr matchkings, and Hornady 178gr BTHP match bullets. The Hornady's come out a near perfect match to an original mk7 bullet, so close that I can not visually tell a difference. The reforming process removes the BT and replaces it with a very nice looking FB profile, much like that of the Sierra 180 Pro Hunter bullet. I've done enough range testing to confirm that the bullets when reformed, are concentric enough to produce accuracy as good as the factory mk7 bullets.
I do not have a scoped rifle to further test the accuracy potential. At present, I'm just happy that I can create my own supply.
The Corbin bullet making dies are expensive, about $1000cdn is what my friend payed, and it took about a year and a half for delivery.
