Reloading 303 British

[Black Lab]

I was wondering if anyone would like to share their favorite loads for this Old Warrior ??? I have four reloading manuals and four different powders that are suitable, but would like to know, what are your pet loads ? Jack

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[armabill]

I would be interested in this too. I'm just starting to reload for the .303 British and ran into the same thing.

[jonnyc]

I have been happy with 150 grain bullets and 39-40 grains of 4895 for my No.5 JC. I'm playing with heavier bullets in my No.4.

[jmoore]

I've been right happy w/ the Sierra 180gr SP whilst loading to their recommended accuracy load specs. Matches the sight settings out to about 600yds and is as accurate as any load I've tried including their 174gr HPBT match bullets! (I always go to the manual of the mfg's bullets EVERY time I start a new batch. Prevents unhappy mistakes...)

[Pattern14]

150 gr Hornady SP, 38.8 grns of IMR 3031 in a No.4 Mk1

[Edward Horton]

Black Lab

The Enfield has only one bedding screw and depending on wood shrinkage and how tight the fore stock is in the rear draws area will determine what each rifles sweet spot is. What I'm talking about is up pressure at the fore end tip and barrel vibrations.

You have two choices in controlling barrel vibrations, change the "amount" of up pressure or change the "amount" of powder in the case.

Please note all No.4 Enfield's received at Holland and Holland for conversion to a No.4 (T) sniper rifle were rejected outright and sent back to their owning organizations if these Enfield's did not have the required 2 to 7 pounds of up pressure at the fore end tip.

The military didn't reload so they "tuned" the accuracy of the Enfield by varying the amount of up pressure, we reloaders do it by "tuning" the amount of powder in the case.

I could tell you that 40 grains of powder XYZ shoots under an inch at a 100 yards and you try it and get eight inch groups.



Below is the 2010 Hodgdons reloading manual load data, pick a powder that gives you the highest velocity with the "LOWEST PRESSURE" and work up a load.

Please note the pressures listed are at or below 43,000 CUP or 46,000 PSI and the max pressure for the .303 is 45,000 CUP or 49,000 PSI. My advice when reloading is just like playing Black Jack, Stay "light" and beat the dealer or keep the pressure low and don't go "bust".

The link below is a VERY good source for reloading info.

Basic Manual Download

In the target photo I was using RL-15 but darn it I had two flyers.

[gunner]

My favorite is 180grs FMJBT S&B bullet with 37.8grs of VV N140. Primer is CCI BRL 2. OAL 78.2mm. Gives fine groups out of my No. 4.

Regards

Gunner

[Black Lab]

First let me say "Thank You" for the info. It's always good to hear what others have had good success with. It seems like it is always getting harder to find a good variety of bullets and what not. I have three powders to work with. IMR4831, IMR4350 and Win.760 My bullets are Hornady .312 174 gr. BTHP, Hornady .312 174 gr.RN. Lastly, I had to try some Hornady .310 123 gr. V-Max bullets just because Something I noticed, comparing loads in my four manuals was that the loads in the Hornady manual seem to be quite a bit hotter that the other books. I am still waiting for my barrel bands. When I get them back I'll put the rifle together and try out a box of factory ammo to settle in my new unorthodox bedding job Then I'll start with the hand loads. Jack

[enfield303t]

I have been using 150 grain SP Speer with 39 gr of 3031. That load has been very accurate for my No4 and the longest distance I have shot it so far is 300 yards. I am going to load some 112 gr CETME HP bullets soon and will ask my "guru" reloading friend about powder load/type for that bullet weight.

[jmoore]

A chronograph is your bestest friend when developing a new load!