Load for 1903

[SUB VET II]

Currently loading 48 gr. 4895 with 150 gr. SHPBT. All barrels very good. Results MOA. Anyone have a recommendation for a load using a little less expensive bullet? All shooting is at 100 to 200 yds. Thanks in advance.

Information

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[RJFontenot]

Hi there, I have had good sucess with Hornady's 150 gr. BT-FMJ in W-W brass, Federal 210 primers, with 54.5 gr. IMR 4350. These bullets are relatively inexpensive. I am assuming this is not for a hunting load.
Good luck.

[SUB VET II]

Thanks RJ. Not for hunting, just paper targets.

[Pete D.]

I have had a lot of good shooting using .30 cal 147 grain FMJ bullets. They used to be the least expensive way to go. That bullet on top of 44-45 grains of IMR 4064 worked well in my old 1903. I could usually keep them in the 10 ring of a Slowfire bullseye at 100 yards from the sitting position.
Pete

[FTIII]

If for casual shooting you can go with almost any of the less expensive bullets, shop around. If this is for match work you need to continue to use a better grade of slug.

Regards
BudT

[TDH]

I use 44.5 gr of 4895 in either IMR or H and Varget works almost as well for my 03 and I bump it up to 47 grains for the 03A3. This is using either 150 gr FMJBT bullet or a Lee cast bullet. It's a 155 gr flatnose and they work surprising well even out to 200.

[tenntex32]

.......you might tinker with inexpensive flat base bullets. I have had them go neck and neck, or sometimes better,than the matchgrade boatttails, at 100yds, especially from well used/worn milsurp rifles. It's when you start getting out past, say a couple hundred yards the boattails start coming into their own. I segregate my inexpensive flatbase bullets, by weight, to help give them a little better chance against the matchgrade fodder, as well. I have seem some of the inexpensive commercial bullets run up to 1.5gr or more in weight variations. The matchgrade Sierra's typically run no more than 3/10ths a grain variation, from my experience. I find the Hornady product line a good product for the price. I have also had some surprising results with Remington's plain 'ole inexpensive core-lok bullets, as well.

Dale

[rmckeon]

One of my 03's really likes a 144gr fmjbt sitting on top of 49.5gr of IMR4895. the results are 3" groups at 200 yards.

They sure don't make em like this anymore, do they?

[USSR]

One of my 03's really likes a 144gr fmjbt sitting on top of 49.5gr of IMR4895.

I use the very same load for my Garand, and it is indeed quite accurate.

Don

[Orsogato]

150 gr. bullet

55.5 gr. IMR 4350