Realoading for .303 British

Nate.308

Nate.308

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Hey guys,

Thought I would start here. My Father has given me one of his Lee Enfield Snipers, I would like to develop a load for this rifle. I'm hoping to compete in a few matches this up coming summer with it so I don't mind using a quality projectile. I was looking at the Hornady Traditional (FMJ) 175gn with a BC just below .500. I have a small stash of Winchester brass to start, any one out there have some experience reloading .303 British they care to share?

Nate
 
For a nice rifle like that, I wouldn't go the 7.62 X 39 route - poor accuracy and barrel wear from the cheap steel clad bullets. I've had good luck with flat base 150 grain bullets (eg Sierra or Hornady).
 
Nate.308 said:
Hey guys,

Thought I would start here. My Father has given me one of his Lee Enfield Snipers, I would like to develop a load for this rifle. I'm hoping to compete in a few matches this up coming summer with it so I don't mind using a quality projectile. I was looking at the Hornady Traditional (FMJ) 175gn with a BC just below .500. I have a small stash of Winchester brass to start, any one out there have some experience reloading .303 British they care to share?

Nate
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303 Is very nice and easy to reload because of the loose tolerances. I have used the hornady interlock 150 and 174gr and have got great results. Last time I took it out I was hitting a propane tank standing with iron sights at 350m using the interlock 150gr, first shot. If you can find the 174gr its usually FMJ and so it will feed perfectly.

If you want quality stuff I would recommend getting IVI brass. Its Canadian made and probably the highest quality 303 brass out there. Not that Winchester is terrible but IVI is better. I have loaded mine a dozen times.

This guy ships and has some in stock. The website is weird so just call him.
http://www.shootist.ab.ca/
 
The Hornady 174 grain FBSP is a good bullet in most 303 British rifles. It is .312" instead of .311", so fits the larger groove
diameter rifles better. That being said, one of the most accurate hunting bullets I have used in several 303's is the Sierra
Pro-Hunter, a .311, FB soft point at 150 or 180 grains. D.
 
Thanks for the tips guys!! I will see what's locally available, I wont be loading 1000s so bulk ordering isn't a consideration just something close haha It will take me a few weeks but Ill let you know how it goes ... thanks
 
VICIOUS said:
Please do not tell us about shooting propane tanks or other non approved stuff. CFO in some provinces drop a load when they hear this.
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Well it was already empty so you can go change your underwear now.

It was on crown land not a range so I do what I want like thousands of people do across Canada

If it makes you feel better I will refer to propane tanks as old round sheet metal with a valve.

As for the CFO I hope their load clogs the toilet

Enjoy your paper targets and please do everyone a favor and stop harassing people at the range you go to. I would bet that you are your range's range nazi
 
I guess I should also mention that I was planning on bedding and seeing if the barrel channel needed some work, anyone accurizing their Enfield's? or should I just leave it be and get the accuracy out of the load? The trigger is terrible hahah not the nice two stage I got on my AX haha
 
If it really is a sniper rifle, its got too much value as a collecter rifle to bed the stock and or open up the barrel channel, they can go for ~3500-7500$. Id just leave it as is and shoot the crap out of it.
 
I use 41 grains of IMR 4320 and the 180 Sierra Pro-Hunter. This was arrived at after scientifically determining that I had lots of the first and Cabelas next door had some of the latter. I can ring the hell out of my 650 yard silhouette with that load and my Ross.
 
Nate.308 said:
I guess I should also mention that I was planning on bedding and seeing if the barrel channel needed some work, anyone accurizing their Enfield's? or should I just leave it be and get the accuracy out of the load? The trigger is terrible hahah not the nice two stage I got on my AX haha
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If it is an actual No4(T) I would not recommend messing with it. Its a piece of history that should be maintained and enjoyed, so still shoot it. If its just a sporterized one then have at it
 
If it's a sniper variant, I'm guessing the chamber is tight? You may have to fireform with dental floss and neck size after if you want your brass to last more than 1-2 firings.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
If it's a sniper variant, I'm guessing the chamber is tight? You may have to fireform with dental floss and neck size after if you want your brass to last more than 1-2 firings.
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Or slip a thin rubber o-ring around the case to fire form it, and when the o-ring is compressed it also centers the rear of the case in the chamber.

Some people use the small pony tail rubber bands or the rubber bands for braces, but the round o-rings work the best.

leGysA2.jpg
 
I had a brand new Irish contract #4 that shot much better with the Sierra 174 Match. The other #4s (more barrel wear) were terrible with that bullet and shot much better with a flat base soft point.

The best bet for accuracy that will work well in any #4 is a flat base Sierra or Hornady.
 
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