303 mexican load
- Thread starter gaudzy
- Start date
Doable. As noted, you need to reduce the powder charge a bit. The last ones i made were pulling down with about 44gr powder per 7.62x54r, i loaded the 303 with a full scoop from my lee dipper that came with my classic loader in 303, which worked out to a bit under 39gr if I remember correctly.
As a comparison, 303 max loads with h335 is 42gr, with bl-c2 is 48gr, with max pressures at 42000 and 39000 cup respectively, while max x54r loads are 49.5 and 55.5, with pressures of both being about 46000 cup.
As a comparison, 303 max loads with h335 is 42gr, with bl-c2 is 48gr, with max pressures at 42000 and 39000 cup respectively, while max x54r loads are 49.5 and 55.5, with pressures of both being about 46000 cup.
Using components from 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R has been going on for quite a while - once lower priced .303 ammunition dried up and the cheap 7.62s became available.
Incidentally, the term "Mexican Match" has traditionally referred to making target grade ammunition by pulling service bullets and substituting match grade bullets.
Take a US M-2 .30 with 150gr. ball, and replace it with a 150gr Sierra Match King.
Incidentally, the term "Mexican Match" has traditionally referred to making target grade ammunition by pulling service bullets and substituting match grade bullets.
Take a US M-2 .30 with 150gr. ball, and replace it with a 150gr Sierra Match King.
NOTE, I ordered 500 7.62x54R pulls and didn't read the fine print and these bullets had a steel core.
Bottom line, these bullets did not shoot well in worn .303 bores, and I assume this was because the bullets did not fill the bore when fired.
So as a reminder a flat base bullet with a lead core works much better than steel core bullets.
Bottom line, these bullets did not shoot well in worn .303 bores, and I assume this was because the bullets did not fill the bore when fired.
So as a reminder a flat base bullet with a lead core works much better than steel core bullets.
you take 6gr out of the 54. easy peasy.
Yes, the steel cored bullet would engage the rifling by interference fit, while the lead cored bullets upset somewhat, particularly flat based ones. This is the one disadvantage to the excellent 174gr Sierra HPBT Matchking. The boat tail doesn't promote upset.
Yup gotta love those old exposed lead flat based bullets for the 303Brit.
One other thing that doesn't promote great accuracy out of the 303 chambered rifles is that most of the 7.62x39 and 7.62x54 bullets only have a .310 in diameter. Some rifles with .310-.311 bores will shoot them reasonably well but most have .312+ diameter bores and will shoot them in the general direction of the target but don't expect great accuracy. Of course there will always be exceptions for whatever reason. One fellow was extolling similar reloads recently and bragging up his 2 inch groups. When the whole story came out, he was shooting at 40 yards and the groups opened up to 8 inches at 100 yds.
I am OK with pulling down the corrosive ammo for its components so I won't knock it. One thing I will say though is that the day of "cheap" surplus X39 and X54 is quickly coming to an end. Even now, if you are purchasing proper commercial components in bulk 1000 packs and enough powder/primers it's pretty hard to justify the time and trouble of breaking down "surplus" rounds for components.
I have purchased bulk packs of "pulled" bullets and powder in the past to shoot out of milsurp rifles chambered for 7.62x51 because their bore diameters are on the large side. As much as .3105 diameter. .308 bullets just won't shoot well in these rifles. I have come across more than a few such rifles, especially some of the South American offerings. Lovely rifles with lovely but oversize bores.
