First post in a long time - .303 Reloading related.

[STG-98]

Buntline,
I have some of the 174 Gn RN projectiles, and plan to use them later. Also loaded some 180 Gn spire flat base a while back. Don't want to sound anal about it, but will persist in my search for 174 SP FB bullets. Was going back through Skennerton the other day and looking at the data for MVII (?) ammo. The original ammo characteristic to a rifle is always of interest to me for some odd reason.

Also, I know some folks seem to dismiss the benefits of the flat versus boat tail. Not sure I can do that without comparing apples to apples. I have some 174 Gn BTs. Don't have hard data or total recall of range trips, but seem to remember their performance was Ok out of No4 and not so much per No 1 Mk III rifle.

Any other info from those who have used 174 flat base bullets versus BT would be welcome, but as I may have mentioned, I would really like to know a source for some 174 SP FB.

Badger,
Did not mean a strike against the moderation, just hoping that .303 folks would be looking here too. You are probably right, that reloading belongs in reloading...

Thanks everyone

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.

[Aussie48]

Apart from the Hornady projectiles I mentioned above which are accurate as the closest to the original MKVII projs I have found are made here in Australia by WOODLEIGH .312 174gn cat number 68A

[STG-98]

Aussie,

I just ordered 100 of the Woodleigh bullets from a US retailer. The protected point is a new twist for me. The item sounds about as close as I am going to find these days. Read some posts about the Woodleigh family and factory history a while back. Thought they were not in business anymore.

Thanks!

[Aussie48]

No STG they are still in business and it is booming, as you would be aware 303 British reloading gear is getting harder to source nowadays. The man who is no longer in business is Mr Bone of the Taipan projectile fame, I still have 500 odd left and am going to slash my wrists the day the last of those goes down the barrel.
The PP protected point is a good idea if you look at them the outer jacket comes to a hollow point, the lead core comes up flush to the rim of the jacket which saves the soft core from damage as it's fed into the breech.
I get them for $33 (aus) a box of 50, not sure what the law is your end but if you need any and they are expensive over there can post some over for you.

[STG-98]

Righto, it was Taipan that is no longer. The Woodleighs were not all that unreasonable. The Woodleighs ran $33.49 US for 50. I ordered 100, which should last me for this season and into next. Thanks, Aussie, for the shipping offer. I think I am covered for now

There is also a 215 RN grain flat base out there. I may post this question back in the LE forum, but wondering if anyone shoots those out of vintage LEs? Blackpowder even? Maybe save that one for another thread.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Any other info from those who have used 174 flat base bullets versus BT would be welcome

My No. 4 MK2 takes both.
The No 1s, MKIII and V, both insist on a flat-base, and if they don't get it, they go all moody and start chucking the bullets around. With the right diet of FB, they can manage a 2" wide group at 100 meters. As to the height of the group, that's a problem of eyeballs and bedding - I haven't quite got the answer yet. All of these rifles have "as new, ex-arsenal" barrels - or at least, they did when I purchased them. I suspect that if you dig around the Enfield site long enough you might discover that the forcing cone/transition or whatchacallit was tightened up on the No. 4.