Enfield P14 .303 British Ammo maximum possible muzzle velocities

[Eaglelord17]

How is GP-11 not a truly strong Army Service cartridge? It is more powerful than .303 British, and it is compariable to 7.62 NATO, .30-06, and all the other cartridges of the era which were about the same in terms of velocities and energy (some a little higher, and some a little lower, but all within the same general range).

Standard .303 British loadings can easily get out to 800m, with no issues. They can go farther than that as well provided you do your part.

[Daan Kemp]

All those cartridges are in the same power range; most military cartridges of that era are similar in performance. Muzzle velocity is usually used as comparison to brag, without factoring bullet weight. Add bullet weight and the comparison isn't so simple.

[Patrick Chadwick]

But I want to use it also for distances of more than 300 yards/meters. So I hope for a load within the usual pressures, good enough for maximal distances of 700-800 Meters or 775-875 Yards.

Enfield Enforcer, I really do not understand your problem. Take a look at the sight leaf on your rifle, and you will see that it is calibrated for a couple of thousand yards. Even my LP08 Artillery Luger with its 20 cm barrel is calibrated up to 800 meters. And that's using 9mm ammo! I have seen reports of some lads in the South of France firing Enfield No. 8s - .22s - at 300 meters. And myself fired .22 short at 200 meters and a 45-70 at 1000 yards. Any rifle will reach 300 meters, and yes, I include my percussion and flintlock muzzle-loaders in that claim. And any military cartridge rifle will reach 1000 meters.

What are you worrying about? Just follow good reloading practice and, in the interest of your safety and your rifle, don't try for the ultimate velocity.
On the basis of the front-locking system and the overall constructional strength, a P14 might theoretically be able to reach the same muzzle velocity (for the same bullet weight) as an M1917, but since the .303 case is much smaller than the .30-06, it would IMHO be a risky business, requiring faster powder than usual with potential pressure problems.

[ArtPahl]

Greetings from Michigan, USA:

I am not sure if this will be helpful or is the kind of information you're seeking, but here goes: I have a Remington made P14 that I have shot and chronographed quite a bit. I shoot mostly cartridges that I have reloaded but I've fired some factory and a few military loads in my rifle. You mentioned that you were after maximum velocity loads so I'll list what I have.

150 Hornady spire 2874 feet per second (handload)

150 Sierra spitzer 2897 fps (handload)

174 Military FMJ loaded with 37.3 grains of what looks like cordite 2335 fps

180 Remington round nose factory load 2384 fps

180 Sierra spitzer 2642 fps (handload)

Case life is good with this rifle; I have cases that have been fired 6 times and are still in service.

I did some experimenting with a friend's #4 (I often regret not buying that rifle from him--it shot under 3 inch 5-shot groups with almost anything I put through it). Velocities were within a few fps of my P14 with similiar loads, sometimes even a little faster.

I've also done some experimenting with #1 Enfield Rifles: Another friend owned 3 of them.

[Enfield Enforcer]

Hello ArtPahl,

many thanks. I have been involved in many other things since this spring, only therefore i answer very late.

Thats really interesting information. And even surprising, too. If I understand it in that way correctly:

The 180 grs-Load reached 2642 f/s that means 805 meters per second, thats a true surprise. If I may ask: what type of case was in use ? Which manufacturer.. .

And the 2874 f/s respectively 2897 f/s = 875 m/s resp. 883 m/s for this two 150 grs-Loads really impress me too.

Greetings from Grison/"Heidiland"
Enfield Enforcer

Greetings from Michigan, USA:

I am not sure if this will be helpful or is the kind of information you're seeking, but here goes: I have a Remington made P14 that I have shot and chronographed quite a bit. I shoot mostly cartridges that I have reloaded but I've fired some factory and a few military loads in my rifle. You mentioned that you were after maximum velocity loads so I'll list what I have.

150 Hornady spire 2874 feet per second (handload)

150 Sierra spitzer 2897 fps (handload)

174 Military FMJ loaded with 37.3 grains of what looks like cordite 2335 fps

180 Remington round nose factory load 2384 fps

180 Sierra spitzer 2642 fps (handload)

Case life is good with this rifle; I have cases that have been fired 6 times and are still in service.

I did some experimenting with a friend's #4 (I often regret not buying that rifle from him--it shot under 3 inch 5-shot groups with almost anything I put through it). Velocities were within a few fps of my P14 with similiar loads, sometimes even a little faster.

I've also done some experimenting with #1 Enfield Rifles: Another friend owned 3 of them.

[Daan Kemp]

Normal military ammo velocity was about 2430 f/s with 173gr flat bottom spitzer bullets. This was the load the P14/Mk1/4 were sighted for.

Depending on the propellant, bullet shape and weight, rifle condition, etc, velocity may be quite a bit higher without pressure problems. The P14 had a longer barrel than the No1/4 series and would probably get higher velocities if the propellant used is tailored, possibly slightly slower burning for the longer barrel? Or a different shape bullet.

[Enfield Enforcer]

Normal military ammo velocity was about 2430 f/s with 173gr flat bottom spitzer bullets. This was the load the P14/Mk1/4 were sighted for.

Depending on the propellant, bullet shape and weight, rifle condition, etc, velocity may be quite a bit higher without pressure problems. The P14 had a longer barrel than the No1/4 series and would probably get higher velocities if the propellant used is tailored, possibly slightly slower burning for the longer barrel? Or a different shape bullet.

Thanks Daan Kemp and ArtPahl,

Really good. Now thats exactly the kind of informations, I have been looking for. The longer P14-Barrel can bring not only similar velocities - and trajectories - that f.e. the No.4 does. The use of carefully produced handloads can effect still clearly positiver results. Without pressure problems.. .
I couldn't be sure before whether it is meaningful to try that or not. To give once someday an corresponding order to an experienced handloader... There are one or two such persons in my environment which do that for a long time. And I don't reload.. .

Have a good day !

Many greetings from"Heidiland"
(St. Moritz etc.)

[Enfield Enforcer]

ArtPahl, which powder have you used by loading the 180gr Sierra Spitzer-Ammo for 2642 fps, please ? And which charge ?

Now im in contact again with my reloading-specialist.

Many thanks.

Greetings from Michigan, USA:

I am not sure if this will be helpful or is the kind of information you're seeking, but here goes: I have a Remington made P14 that I have shot and chronographed quite a bit. I shoot mostly cartridges that I have reloaded but I've fired some factory and a few military loads in my rifle. You mentioned that you were after maximum velocity loads so I'll list what I have.

150 Hornady spire 2874 feet per second (handload)

150 Sierra spitzer 2897 fps (handload)

174 Military FMJ loaded with 37.3 grains of what looks like cordite 2335 fps

180 Remington round nose factory load 2384 fps

180 Sierra spitzer 2642 fps (handload)

Case life is good with this rifle; I have cases that have been fired 6 times and are still in service.

I did some experimenting with a friend's #4 (I often regret not buying that rifle from him--it shot under 3 inch 5-shot groups with almost anything I put through it). Velocities were within a few fps of my P14 with similiar loads, sometimes even a little faster.

I've also done some experimenting with #1 Enfield Rifles: Another friend owned 3 of them.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Enfield Enforcer wrote:

"....... hunting is in our country nowadays here not allowed with such calibers".

What are you breeding over there that a .303 will not bring down? Woolly Mammoths?

Here in Australia, the cartridge certainly works on Red and Fallow deer, feral pigs, goats, water buffalo, etc..

[ArtPahl]

Enfield Enforcer,

Per your request: 180 Sierra spitzer .311 dia. bullet (#2310)
47 grains of IMR4320
CCI #200 primer
Remington case

2642 fps is the average of 30 shots measured at 10 ft. from the muzzle with an Oehler 35P chronograph.