reloading 303.

[spinecracker]

Thanks to this excellent discussion, I feel that I will have to begin to reload in the very near future. I will be ransacking the local libraries for books on reloading, then putting together a very basic reloading kit (classic Lee Loader, good scales, etc). As I do not get to the range as often as I would wish (once or twice a month), there is no need for an expensive setup right now. I have just finished shimming and cork bedding my 1949 FTRed No.4 Mk.1 (as per the very clear instructions I gleaned from this forum), and it will be interesting to see how she handles with commercial ammo versus reloads.

Information

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[Edward Horton]

no4mk1shooter

I would "NOT" recommend this case forming plinking load for deer hunting, it is a lightly constructed pistol bullet with a softer lead core than a rifle bullet. The velocity is approximately 1700-1800 fps and it could blow up on the surface after hitting deer size game.

The entire idea behind this load is $$$ COST $$$. A cheap .312 pistol bullet and 18 grains of IMR-4759 a large bulky powder designed for reduced loads. With IMR-4759 unlike pistol powders it is impossible to double charge the case which makes it a safer load. The soft lead core of the pistol bullet helps this bullet when fired to fill the bore and make it more accurate.

You can go to the range with this load and shoot 100-200 rounds and your shoulder would still be ready for 200 more rounds.



The idea for this load came from the old Speer #9 loading manual, BUT it is for the 100 grain .308 Speer plinker and not the .312 diameter bullet. The Hornady .312 "IS" a safe load, look at the bottom of the 150 grain bullet load and you will see a load of 25 grains of IMR-4759 with a 150 grain bullet.

[chevy1981enfield1943]

no4mk1shooter

I would "NOT" recommend this case forming plinking load for deer hunting, it is a lightly constructed pistol bullet with a softer lead core than a rifle bullet. The velocity is approximately 1700-1800 fps and it could blow up on the surface after hitting deer size game.

well, it was worth asking. thanks for the info, at $16 per hundred which is less than half the cost of the projectiles I am currently using for plinking one would be foolish not to go with your advise and the results on your target are worth every penny. thanks

also, what is the O.A.L. on your rounds?

[Edward Horton]

no4mk1shooter

I have not tried different bullet O.A.L. yet and to be truthful I don't think I even moved the bullet seater from the normal 150 gr bullet setting. Don't get me wrong but its a pistol bullet and its six feet away from touching the rifling anyway. So I do think moving the bullet in or out is going to make a big difference, a longer cast bullet "yes" a really "short" pistol bullet no. A pistol bullet has a long way to "jump" before it hits the rifing.

I would recommend the .312 150 gr or 174 gr Hornady for deer hunting, they have the "inter-lock" feature and will hold together just like a Nosler partition. If you check and do a search on the 150 gr Hornady you will find the most popular load is 37-38 grains of IMR-4895 and many people use it for deer hunting.