M2 30-06 Ball powder for 303 British

[CINDERS]

Best get a neck crimper to as you do not want the projies to move under recoil, I crimp all mine as the last thing you need in a speed shoot is a projie in the case and an action full of powder. Besides keeping things in the case you know that the neck tension is all the same for each round, yes I know we are not F classing here but it is just one variable I eliminate. I use Fed - 210 primers and they work well. Hornady 150 Spire points work really well apart from being a FB they are also .312" good accuracy up to 350m ~ 400m I used AR - 2209 I found 2208 a bit sharp welcome to the world of Lee Enfields and as had been said before prepare for them to multiply as they grow on you

[CruciBill]

Thank you CINDERS. This is my first go at rifle reloading, I've been loading for a few different handgun calibers for a short time.

I just read somewhere that a crimp wasn't necessary on the rifle round! I've been reading so much lately I can't quote the source off the top of my head. I appreciate you bringing that up.

Will the RCBS seating die provide a crimp or should I look into a Lee factory crimp die? My concern with the Lee die is I use one with my .357 magnum and it also full length resizes the case while crimping. Does the 303 die do the same thing? The one suggestion that seems to run consistent with this cartridge is only neck size if fired from the same rifle.

[Wineman]

I feel that crimping adds another variable. It probably can't hurt, but I load for the M1 Garand and have never crimped a round. Big caliber handguns, tube fed rifles, double barrel Elephant rifles, crimping is necessary. A 40k CUP SMLE not so much. Crimping is there to keep the bullet from moving in or out. If the neck tension is not sufficient to hold the bullet, crimping usually does not help. I believe your highest hurdle will not be powder type or charge weight or bullets, but the sloppy chambers of Lee Enfields. Chambers tend to be large, and dies small. Your brass (especially the thin Norma) may not tolerate stretching and full length sizing very many times. Neck sizing may be the way to go and I like the LEE Collet dies. You may find with the collet die, a double size is needed, size once, then spin the case 180 degrees and size again. If you have a P14 it is much less of an issue. The seater die in the Lee Collet set does not crimp. I don't think the standard set does either. My RCBS seater die will crimp if I wanted it to.

Dave

[Parashooter]

The Lee "Factory Crimp" die for bottleneck rifle cartridges is quite different from their pistol die. It utilizes a compression collet to form the crimp and doesn't contact the rest of the case.



As Wineman states, crimping is neither necessary nor desirable for most military rifle cartridges single-loaded or fed from a box magazine. Do it only if you have a sound reason. With adequate neck tension, jacketed bullets will stay put during feeding and recoil.

The standard Lee seating die in current .303 British sets is now their "Dead Length Seater", with no provision for crimping, which can be done with the separate "Factory Crimp" die. (All this stuff is detailed on the Lee Precision website.)

Some older Lee 2-die .303 sets contain a conventional seat and crimp die that can be adjusted to crimp or not.

[CruciBill]

Alright. I got my RCBS neck sizing die, 150 gr bullets and I found some IMR-4064 20 miles south of me. Loaded up my 20 empties. I went with the no crimp as I was staying towards the low end of the powder charges.

Thanks for all the advice.

Bill.

[browningautorifle]

Off to the range as time permits and let us know...

[CruciBill]

Will do.

[Wineman]

Have fun. You never told us what rifle you have, if you did I read past it.

Dave

[CruciBill]

I apologize. It's a 1943 Mk1 No. 4 Savage. She needs a bit of refinishing, as a previous owner had put a glossy coat of some kind on it. I have a thread in the Enfield section on it and received a world of good information/advice on the process.