+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: SMLE Mk III* Reload Information

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member RogueAussie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Last On
    02-15-2024 @ 12:30 AM
    Location
    NSW, AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    31
    Real Name
    Tim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:04 PM

    Question SMLE Mk III* Reload Information

    Ok, so I have a heap of PPU 174gr FMJ factory ammunition just as starter ammo for the new old rifle and I plan to keep the PPU cases to reload as from what I've read they reload very well. What I'm trying to ascertain is a good starting load for my reloads.

    I've done quite a bit of investivating across various forums and websites and while the 180gr SP sound to be a good choice for hunting, I only plan on using this as a range rifle and have leant towards the Sierra 174gr HPBT. The load I have come up woth on paper from my reading is:

    Sierra 174gr HPBT on 41.0gr AR2208 (~2400 fps)

    Can anyone recommend anything similar using the 174gr pills. I'm not shooting F class, just targets at the range, so I want something reasonably accurate and of course saving a few $$$ reloading.

    For those that aren't sure of powder equivalents, check this page out: ADI Powder Equivalents

    Thanks!
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:04 AM
    46gns AR 2209 is what I use 2208 is to sharp in the recoil 09 is slower as always start 4-5Gns under this and work up I will state I am not responsible for any mishap using this data as no offence I don't know you or your reloading practices its given in good faith it works in my rifles very well with SMK's having won numerous competitions with it. And in a world of save a*rses and I'll sue you to death world I aint gunna be responsible for the data being used by anyone. I TTL, FLS the cases if they are in my 2 No.4's or MkIII the Sniper T has its own brass that is only TTL and neck sized. I uniformed all the pockets, tumble, sonic clean, the use my AMP annealing machine on all the cases, RP cases with BR-2 primers its allot of work but I know I have the best ammo I can load.
    I was doing the bullet run out on the 303's as well but that just took up too much time besides when your running 3 eff class rifles, 1 optical rifle + a full bore one they need that 1/2 MOA ammo to be competitive, at times I feel married to the press and not my wife though I have trained her to load her own ammo but she reckons my reloads work better for her Hmmm I think there is some trickery going on there......????????????????

    I was using WIN-760 but whilst it worked OK I was not liking the recoil harmonics (I'm not gun shy having fired a fair few rounds out of my mates 460 Weatherby Mag including 2 rounds from a benchrest now that was nasty!)
    See Pics of the range day we did #1 my friends custom 460WM my stuffs in the background #2 460WM compared to a 22/250 round
    It metered well a very fine ball powder but you have to keep your loads above 80-85% case capacity think I suffered a flash over with this powder (detonation) luckily all held together thats why I ditched it too fine a ball powder a rather nasty experience about 10 years ago from memory.

    ATTENTION:
    Be wary of using equivilants as you can only rely on about it being within 5% of the powder your comparing it to if I compare I start at their minimum load going up in .2 of a grain at a time till I get a good group OCW ladder or pressure signs hit and if it still don't do the business scrap that powder thats why you only buy a kilo for the new powder.
    Been down this road allot since 1978.................
    Last edited by CINDERS; 03-12-2020 at 02:56 AM.

  4. Thank You to CINDERS For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member RogueAussie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Last On
    02-15-2024 @ 12:30 AM
    Location
    NSW, AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    31
    Real Name
    Tim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:04 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the info CINDERS, really helpful!

    I'm definately not new to reloading and do cover off on all case prep every reload except for trimming which happens every several reloads, but then again I'm not shooting comp.

    Using AR2209 would be preferrable as I already use it for my .270 and it would save having another powder on the shelf though in saying that I'm not concerned about the recoil of AR2208 powder.

    You've definately given me some info to work with and I appreciate it!

  7. #4
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:04 AM
    Understand not shooting comp but TTL is very important as you only have to have one case that is a bit to long goes into the chamber with the camming action of the bolt forcing it in to far and then effectively putting a crimp on the very end of the neck & projie and you then have a set up of a serious pressure spike I use the Lee Ezi trim as you can have it set up in the station (Progressives) and do that part whilst resizing.

  8. Thank You to CINDERS For This Useful Post:


  9. #5
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:04 PM
    Start by slugging the barrel. I'm not sure if Australia had somewhat vague ideas of what bore/groove diameters meant or not, but there are lots of .311" and .312" bullet around. And that assumes your rifle is Australianicon made. Mine is not.
    Prvi uses .311". So does Sierra. Hornady uses .312".
    Then just work up the load using ADI's(who make several powders for Hodgdon) data and you'll be fine.
    "...Be wary of using equivalents..." Forget equivalents altogether.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  10. Thank You to Sunray For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    Legacy Member RogueAussie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Last On
    02-15-2024 @ 12:30 AM
    Location
    NSW, AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    31
    Real Name
    Tim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:04 PM
    Thread Starter
    It is a Britishicon barrel made by V.S.M and stamped H.V. for the MkVII upgrade. I haven't borescoped it but eyeballing it it looks clean and in good condition.

    At the recommndation I am staying away from equivalents but I still have a good start point for 2208 and 2209 which is great!

  12. #7
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:04 AM
    Dont be too alarmed at the fire cracking see pic of a section of my 1944 T barrel its part of what they are given the period and useage of them as they were making replacements faster than the losses in the end.

  13. #8
    Legacy Member Peter5761's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Last On
    11-16-2020 @ 10:50 AM
    Location
    U.K.
    Posts
    10
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:04 AM

    .303 loads

    N140. 38.4g 174g heads.
    H4895. 40g. 174g heads

  14. Thank You to Peter5761 For This Useful Post:


  15. #9
    Contributing Member Micheal Doyne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 02:34 AM
    Location
    Wiltshire Uk
    Posts
    397
    Real Name
    Ed Vigors
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:04 AM
    This works well for me in my No4, but each to their own and and work up from minimum levels.

    CCI bench rest primers
    PPU brass, fire formed and neck sized
    40.5grns N140
    SMK 174grn

    I recommend decent brass prep, find your chamber length and trim to it. I remove the spent primers then wet tumble with steel media, using dish soap and a little dishwasher rinse aid, followed by a decent fresh water rinse.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. SMLE trigger guard bushing substitute ..or.. More attempts to not buy old SMLE stock
    By DeeBee in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-11-2019, 03:51 AM
  2. SMLE 303 Armourers Tool Box information
    By Bathurst72 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-25-2016, 04:23 AM
  3. Reload for the M1
    By ledge in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-01-2011, 03:02 PM
  4. Just bought a 1918 SMLE No.1 Mk III with Arabic stock disk, looking for information
    By lthilsdorf in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-24-2011, 12:28 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks