using 7.62x54R bullets for loading .303

[HotTom]

The ONLY bullet I use for reloading .303 is a 147 grain 7.62 x 54R FMJBT. Widener's was selling them cheap in bulk a few years ago and I have many thousands of bullets waiting to be loaded.

I think they were made by Prvi Partizan.

I've heard scare stories about boat tails (the gas escapes around them blah blah blah) but they have served me well. As Calif Steve notes above, I wouldn't use it in worn barrels that have seen lots of old cordite ammo. It's safe but the bullet kinda rattles on its way down the worn barrel

Very tight groups with 45.0 grains of Reloader 15. It's a pretty hot load (around 2700 fps out of a P17 with an excellent barrel that's longer than an Enfield barrel producing a bit higher velocity because of the extra langth) but gets a standard deviation of just a hair over 10 fps and that's not shabby. Lighter or heavier loads had much higher deviation and wider groups.

I haven't tried a heavier bullet but I'd have no worry about the size. You may have to do as I did and try lots of recipes with a chronograph.

My personal caution is that I only use them in Enfields having really good barrels (the ones I wouldn't want to crud up with Milsurp, I have other more beat up rifles for that stuff).

Anyway, the simple answer is yes, 54R works well in .303 barrels that are in very good shape.

HT