I'm sure this has been answered before, but my google fu is weak and I can't find it.

I have a new Savage made Lee Enfield No4 MK1*. I want to shoot it and I need advice on what ammo to use. When I get an old military gun, there are usually 3 considerations when it comes to ammo. Historically accurate, safe to shoot, and availability (I don't handload).

Looking into the 303 ammo specs, it appears what i want is a 303 MK7 only without the cordite propellant. Also the MK7 had either aluminum or plastic in the core, and I'm not sure anyone actually makes bullets like that anymore. SO not really a MK7, but something that mimics it.

In my searching I found warnings about using MK8 ammo as it was hotter and intended for machine guns. Apparently if it was used in rifles that had used the MK7 ammo with cordite, there were problems with ruining the barrel.

I don't know how to tell if the cordite ammo was used in my rifle. So what commercial loads should I use to most closely mimic the MK7? MK7 was 174 grain, so I picked up some 174 grain PPU ammo, but unless it's made with the same bullet construction it might not have the same characteristics. While the MK8 had 175-190 grain bullets, I don't think the bullet weight is the deciding factor in whether it's safe to shoot in my gun. I haven't looked online yet, but the boxes of ammo I have now don't list velocities or chamber pressures.

Anyway, here's the ammo I have on hand now (picked up from the gun show last month).

PPU 174 gr FMJ BT
PPU 150 gr SP BT
Sellier and Bellot 180 gr FMJ

Any comments or help will be appreciated.
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