going to load for first time ammo for three dif enfields
not sure what is available but i have three hundred cases, plenty of large rifle and plenty of 4064, want to work up a load for perry vintage
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going to load for first time ammo for three dif enfields
not sure what is available but i have three hundred cases, plenty of large rifle and plenty of 4064, want to work up a load for perry vintage
comments
Slug your rifle bores to see what each rifle will require bullet size wise. Consult several reloading manuals or the on line reloading data on the powder manufactures web pages.
Generally, I default to the Sierra 180gr. soft point for accuracy. Then try the Sierra 174gr. HPBT match bullet. If those don't work, its back to South African ball. Failing that, I begin loading small lots of stuff at random! (Doesn't hardly ever happen, though)
4064 is the default powder!
If accuracy starts to fall off, try removing every last bit of copper fouling, some barrels are fairly sensitive, others, not. Bore scope helps here.
I have had exceptional results from the Hornady .312" 150 grain spire point bullet in my three Lee Enfields. I strongly recommend this bullet to anyone striving for an accuracy load for their rifle.
Cast your own! The Lyman 314299 works for most. If you need one bigger pm me and I'll send some links.
My 2¢
I am using .310 Dia. in my Savage no1 mk4* Russian silver tip bullets with RG4895 power 35 grns.
Shoots great no problems .
I'm currently using Hornady .3105 174gn fmj's and they're good for me, but when I'm using something pretty worn I get great results from Hornady .312 gn Matchkings, I've found them pretty hard to get hold of, but they're brilliant if your bore's a bit "how you going..."
+1_My Favorite Jacketed missile!Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry N.
m.chalmers is right on with the cast boolits. I have several versions of Lyman moulds and 1 Lee mould which work great. With component prices going thru the roof these days they save money and are easy on the bore which is a consideration if you have an all original Milsurp. That barrel numbered to the rest of the rifle is irreplaceable. One more thing, I can get very close to standard .303 velocities with my 186 Gr. cast bullets with good accuracy.
I always used the .311 bullets. The weight depends on the amount of grooves. 2-grooves heavier bullets like the 174grs or in my case the 180grs and the 4 or more grooved barrels seems to like more the lighter bullets like the 150 grs Hornady interlock with .311. My two cents!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelago
- Then I seriously recommend that you keep the cases in 3 batches, one for each rifle, and use neck-sizing only. Mark the cases or select by manufacturer. Those 3 rifles will, depending on age and condition, probably need slightly differnt seating depths, powder charges, even bullet diameters, for best results. You need to treat them as 3 individuals, not peas in a pod!
Patrick
:wave:
The .312 Hornady 174 gr work best in most of my .303B rifles, particularly in my Ross. I have the Lee mold but haven't been able to find the right load. What powder works best with cast?
That depends on what you will shoot, i mean the distance. If you would have good rounds only for 100 yards shooting try the TrailBoss. If they should have to work out to 300yards try a VV N140 or other slow burning powders. Fast burning powders will lead to a bunching of the bullet and smear the grooves with lead. Look at the reloading manuals of the powder makers.
I have published my test loads several times, but I will do so again... and explain.
With the Sierra 180 Pro-Hunter flatbase I am shooting 37 to 38 grains of 4895. Seating is to the OAL of a Mark VII Ball round. Yes, this crowds the leade just a bit, but it works. I shoot the flatbase because Enfield rifling likes it. I shoot the American bullets because they have relatively soft jackets and obturate well; also, they are extremely consistent. Velocity with this load is about 2250 ft/sec from the SMLE, about 100 ft/sec faster with the Ross. This velocity, 2250 ft/sec, was proven by test in 1910 to be the most accurate velocity with the 174-grain bullets then coming into use. With this load, I could get half an inch with a really good Lee-Enfield, an inch with a good one and less than the half-inch with a really good Ross. I say "could" because I no longer can hold a rifle steady enough to do this, even with sandbags and a rest.
With the Hornady flatbase 150 Spire Point .312, I find that satisfactory accuracy may be obtained with 40 grains of 4064, seated so the entire bullet cannelure shows. I have had 1-ragged-hole 6-round groups from scoped rifles with this loading, at 100 yards.
BTW, .312" was regarded as the upper limit of tolerance with the Mark VII bullet, but actual tests showed that it shot better than smaller-diameter bullets every time.
Hope this helps.
Good luck in the match.
.