First Time Loading 303 British

[SAM1965]

I have PPU and S&B brass once fired that I've primed (Federal LRM), sized and will trim to 2.212 (Lyman data). I will be using 40gr of W748 and a PPU 150gr SPBT bullet. Anything I should be aware of?

 

[MasterChief]

BT bullets do not always perform well in .303 military rifles. Flat based bullets might be a better choice, accuracy-wise. Whatcha shootin'?

 

[SAM1965]

I have a Lithgow Mk4 that I bought from here about 4 years ago. 303Brit is crazy expensive so... bought some used dies and going to reload my 600 rounds I bought. The bullets are from Grafs and what I can find. Sorry crappy phone pic

 

[MasterChief]

"...going to reload my 600 rounds..."

Forget what I said. You'll do fine.

 

[easttex]

I always used Varget or Reloader 15 (almost interchangeably). For plinking I loaded bulk Remington softpoint .311" bullets. For target punching I'd load .311" Sierra Matchkings.

I'm not even sure you can buy any of that right now, though.

Also, if you're only loading for one rifle, feel free to neck size once fired brass with a necksizer die. It'll extend the brass life.

 

[davidjheg]

These run great in my Enfields but right now are hard to find. The .312 and flat base make a great improvement in accuracy. I also use varget.

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/303-cal-312-174-gr-interlock-rn#!/

 

[easttex]

As an added bonus, if you can find .311"-.312" diameter bullets, you can also load for your Mosin Nagant as well. I used to run the same bullets in both rifles.

 

[V guy]

Are P14 Enfield chambers, as generously sized as the No4's?
Are they as hard on brass?

 

[davidjheg]

Are P14 Enfield chambers, as generously sized as the No4's?
Are they as hard on brass?

I would bet they would have the same generous chambers.

 

[Smellycat]

I've been happy with Hornady 303 150g and IMR 3031.

Case head separation is real with 303 brit. Check for it inside your brass before every reload especially with that S&B. You may find that some only survives one or two reloads.

 

[tac-40]

I would definitely slug your bore to determine what size bullet is correct. I have seen rifles that use .311 bullets and shoot fine and others that need .313 just to be marginally accurate. Cordite was not kind to those bores used in action.

 

[davidjheg]

I ran some .311 ppu 174gr FMJBT projectiles with varget out of hxp brass today. Shot better than I thought. They smacked the gongs good at 200y. 1945 smle with quite a frosty bore.

 

[yovinny]

The original mk7 ammo had a concave exposed lead base. That permitted the base to expand and seal even well oversize bores,, like one of my savage #4 at .315"
AFAIK, You cant even buy a bullet made that way today,, since modern engineers say we need boat tail bullets to shoot past 100yrds..
I guess all those old timers killin people at long range with issue mk7 ammo must now br fake news....

 

[John Crusher]

I think I've got a bunch of leftover .311 174s from my semi-Bren reloading.
I'll look and post in WTS if I do.

 

[Mint]

The original mk7 ammo had a concave exposed lead base. That permitted the base to expand and seal even well oversize bores,, like one of my savage #4 at .315"
AFAIK, You cant even buy a bullet made that way today,, since modern engineers say we need boat tail bullets to shoot past 100yrds..
I guess all those old timers killin people at long range with issue mk7 ammo must now br fake news....

Wow, .315 in a Savage? You'd think we could have done better, especially since there were no bombs falling on them at the time.

 

[davidjheg]

Wow, .315 in a Savage? You'd think we could have done better, especially since there were no bombs falling on them at the time.

As long as it grouped 4 moa they shipped it. Who knows, maybe 5-6 moa too. Takes a lot of time to work a barrel, reason why 2 grooves were made, to toss them during war time.