My First No.4 Mk1*

[roundyuk]

Ahh, so that would have happened on it's trip back to the US! Thanks!

Had some bore gauges arrive today, so off to have a measure shortly - just need to find the post which says how the .307 and .308 gauges should/should not fit...

[browningautorifle]

.307 and .308 gauges should/should not fit...

They'll fit alright, they'll rattle right on through...

[roundyuk]

From what I can tell of reading, they should not rattle through....the .307 should not go into the muzzle more than 1/4" and it does not - it just sits in, probably slightly less than 1/8" inch. The 308 gauge I have doesn't fully enter the breech either which is also fine I think...?

[browningautorifle]

That's right, some are actually that small. I used to shoot a #4T using .308 bullets. Forgot about that. If you get a big one though, they can measure .318...big...worn.

[Doco overboard]

BAR, how can I get good bullet tension on the .303 brass I'm collecting before I start loading. I also have discovered a .308 bullet will not even come close to entering the bore of the two .303 rifles I have been tinkering with. I was concerned I would be contributing to unnecessary wear and was surprised at what I found. Or should I not worry about it. They both shoot well/ok till I learn the rifles with the PPU 174's Ive been using minus the powder fouling, but would like to try some common bullets for .308 I have available. Thanks, Brian

[CINDERS]

I would not worry about it, I have heard guys using a 308 Lee Neck Die when using the 308 pills but have not played with that idea I just use a crimp die on the 303's put a crimp on rotate cartridge 180 degrees crimp again.
Thats fine if the pill will not enter the muzzle but what of the throat as the cordite was like a plasma cutter to the lede and most 303's I have there is throat wear of varying degrees plus fire cracking so I seat my projies out so they just fit in the mag with reasonable clearance just in case there is one with the meplat a bit longer that may cause a jam, seems to work for me and my shooting I think the max for the 303 is COAL at 3.075"
You can ask around but no one where I shoot has used 308 pills in their 303's for some years.

I have just brought an AMP annealing machine and have yet to see the results from the 303's but my 6.5 x 284 Lapua brass was work hardened and the neck tensions were all over the place as I was getting highs & lows inexplicably usually losing 2-3 points to just that problem, I could tell by the amount of resistance by seating the bullet in the case the tight ones.
So I annealed all my unloaded brass for it and what a difference it made the brass is back to original softness and there were no tight feels seating the bullets and the difference it made well I think I am on the road to stopping the unexplained rounds as at 700M on last Sunday I poked in a not to shabby 119.10X/120.20X and used no sighting rounds this was out of a tube that has a high round count and has not been crowned or re-chambered yet as the 6.5 x 284 is a known barrel burner in-fact this is its 3rd barrel in 5 years.

Be wary with 303 Rem brass I anneal prior to sizing as I brought a universal decappping die just to knock the primers out of all the rifles we shoot, anyway you need a reasonable inner neck chamfer with some Redding dry lube as I found the brass gets really soft as not having the chamfer I lost the first 4 cases crushed.

[browningautorifle]

how can I get good bullet tension on the .303 brass I'm collecting before I start loading.

I turned the expander ball down so it didn't touch the case inside neck at all and the bullets held perfectly. I shot lots of those.

[roundyuk]

Hey Guys,

So based on my results using the gauges, does it sound like my barell has some decent shooting life left in it? Looking down the bore the rifling is lovely and sharp also.

[BruceHMX]

You could always try a cast bullet. My No 4 Mk II loves a .308 dia bullet but the well used No 4 Mk I's and Mk III's shoot their best with a .313 dia. Lot's of great reloading advice on this forum about the 303!

[browningautorifle]

Looking down the bore the rifling is lovely and sharp also.

Sounds about normal. Those were cut deep and last long. I have seen a barrel that was down at the commencement, but that was an Ishapore #1Mk3. Looks like it was a range rifle for years. Still shot fine. Sounds like yours will too.

My expander ball...wasn't .308 as many might suggest either. It was small enough it was out of play. You could get a .270 ball...? Or a .25...