Reloading for the P14 rifle

[Patrick Chadwick]

Tangible harmful results are never shown but only the perpetration of the hearsay. Perhaps tangible results are out there somewhere.

In a couple of such cases I have asked for documentary evidence, as opposed to hearsay. Never had a result yet! My impression is that such tales are typically passed on by "armchair pundits", to demonstrate their "expertise", not by active shooters who are familiar with actually using the guns they are talking about.

[jmoore]

IIRC from previous discussions, some data was changed when the pressure measuring standard changed from CUP to the piezoelectric strain gage. But again, rifles vary, and a chronograph is absolutely required to see where you and your rifle stand.

BTW, last fall I did something very unusual: did some preliminary testing of a "new" (to me) powder for the .303s. Supposed to give lower pressure for similar velocity compared to most other powders. Worked well enough, but accuracy just wasn't quite as good as the old 4064 load at the military standard velocity of ~2440 fps. Close, but just a tad "fatter" groups.
Need to do some more work before making any conclusions.
The upshot is unless you at least basic instrumentation or a range that lets you try loads for drop at extended distances to compared to published data, then it's just a guessing game.

[RC20]

I would shoot as low a velocity as you can and get satisfactory resutls to increase the longevity of the rifle. Maybe makes no different with the 303s as they are low anyway so I may be talking out my hat here. As near as I can tell, you almost can't blow up a 1914 or 1917 short of greasing the bullet, doubling the powder charge and stuffing something down the barrel.

As for the 2400 powder, I have shot it in magnum pistols forever and see no sights of that grainage. I did appreciate the following as it reflects my feeling that I would happily join the illustrious members of the Marine Corp and shoot a low serial 1903 if I had one (and do so with a question bolt!)

[garyohartnett]

day gents.

picture this ,
beautiful Australian summer morning .

aussie rifle range.

young bloke wanders in with a no1 mk 3 that's seen a shot or 2 .

stands a the firing line loads and fires .

great cloud of smoke ,lee enfield bolt standing vertical in the receiver ,no bolt head ,rim of case missing.
another shooter 15 yards away has a cut on his ear.
the young blkes left arm was dripping blood .

when questioned by the range captain .
jesus mate what were you shooting ?

dunno mate it was some stuff i loaded up.

what was it ? what was the powder ? how much did you put in.?

well it was some as100 my grandad had and i just filled the case up ,the bullets were in the same box as the rest of his stuff too.
i just wanted to see if the gun would shoot .



as 100 is a now unavailable shot gun powder ,on inspection the projectiles could have been 303 but probably larger because a witness said he saw the young bloke really force the cartridge home and was about to say something but was too late..

a couple of the older blokes had a few words to say to the young man and the young bloke has never been seen again and the projectile is probably still in orbit.

i use and recommend
privy brass .
sierra 150 grain game kings .seated .5 mm off the rifling.
federal primer.
38. 5 grains of adi 2208 powder .(Australian powder)

first time around full length resize and trim the brass if required (at least check it for over all length)
neck size only ever after and get about 50 plus loads .

the sights are spot on and most 303`s will shoot with amazing accuracy with this load .

my father worked the load out originally and it has been adopted by most of the 303 british shooters at the range.
even the doubters end up coming around when they see his results.

hope this helps

[enfield303t]

There's so much to consider when loading for any gun or cal. and todays books show measurable variables mainly due to the bullet being used and safety. Bearing surface has a major effect on pressue and to just load to max or over in the beginning is not a wise thing to do.

I have a good friend who has been in the gun business for countless years and he literally preaches to me the difference in bearing surface/composition of bullets. He has seen the results of loading "at the top" and changing bullet manufacturers yet still using the same bullet weight. That is why the wise start toward the bottom and work their way up 'till they find a combination of accuracy and safety. Every modern book on reloading states exactly what bullet they used to get the published results and those results are for ONLY THAT BULLET NO OTHER.

Personally I load 303 with 40gr of RX15 and a Sierra 174GRBT with excellent results, even though most say they don't like BT bullets. I also know that no two batches of powder are identical, they may be close as damn is to swearing but not identical.

Privi .303 seems good to me and accurate enough for the fun shooting I do. Yes my reloads are more accurate but considering the cost of bullets I am using they should be.

To come on here and ask advice but not want anyone who has experience to tell you that you are playing with fire if they believe you are doing something wrong makes me wonder why you bothered to post in the beginning.

[garyohartnett]

well said

[Brian Dick]

40.5 grains IMR 4895, I use military cases, (HXP), 180 grain .311 Sierra Pro-Hunter flat base bullet. I've had excellent accuracy from this load for 30 years in both the P'14, SMLE and No.4.

[RC20]

Keep in mind that the powder makers to publish loads and those are for a range of bullet weights. I believe they are "safe" in that they do not push them so variations in the bearing surface and powder difference batch to batch are accommodated.

I also feel that the flat based bullets work well at our usual shooting ranges and the boat tails are really a waste until you get out past 300 yards.

It would be nice to see flat base match bullets at a more reasonable price.