Ruger 1 303 load info? PHOTOS #28

WhelanLad said:
Gday folks, just got my hands onto a Neck sizer for 303! you beauty!

I inted to reload for it right now, I previously dabbled with 170gr .308 projectiles, using a 308 die to load them.... we wont go there....
I'm moving onto Sierra pro hunters 150gr .311s and its in the Ruger number 1 So I understand the loading Data is low for the Army guns, but where do you rekon I start with AR2208 or perhaps AR2206H?? with a 150gr SP
I'm now using the rifle Scoped (2-7x33) an would want to use it out to 200meters more often than not.

I want to minimise wastin projectiles (I have 63) :D so I'm thinking of piking a charge an leaving it at that........... hmmm decisionsssss, Where to start and perhaps finish?

WL
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I believe AR2208 is sold as Varget in North America. IMO, and experience that is where I'd start. I used 41 gr with a 150 Speer HC. It turned my Martini into a little sniper. I used a WLR primer and loaded to an OAL of 2.89". I used all kinds of garbage brass, and I don't think that the primer is all that important either. This load is in the zone.

I used a FL die, turned it down until the shoulder was pushed back a few thou, maybe 0.004". Not my preferred practice for most calibers, but didn't want to fool with different dies or custom shell holders. Neck sizer may work, but too snug a fir into the chamber is not a good thing. Neck sizer for cast loads, IMO, pressure too low to really do any serious stretching. The Martini I had locked up like a bank vault, your Ruger should be the same. Brass life should not be an issue.

This load does not work with Hornady 150's, Sierra may be OK, never tried. I have used 311 Sierra 180's in a Mosin, OK there.

I was on #5 or so reloading, still life left.
 
WhelanLad said:
I think that's good Tip too, I will fire only 2 shot groups to determine a load as the rifle would be sufficient with stock for ringsopen sights, but to have a scope on it just makes it more user friendly for most situations, as long as it goes close to the Aim point, ill be happy!

do you just use a standard Ruger ring for the 'rear' ring on the 1/4 rib? or a fancy stepped back ring
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All
 
nitro-express said:
I believe AR2208 is sold as Varget in North America. IMO, and experience that is where I'd start. I used 41 gr with a 150 Speer HC. It turned my Martini into a little sniper. I used a WLR primer and loaded to an OAL of 2.89". I used all kinds of garbage brass, and I don't think that the primer is all that important either. This load is in the zone.

I used a FL die, turned it down until the shoulder was pushed back a few thou, maybe 0.004". Not my preferred practice for most calibers, but didn't want to fool with different dies or custom shell holders. Neck sizer may work, but too snug a fir into the chamber is not a good thing. Neck sizer for cast loads, IMO, pressure too low to really do any serious stretching. The Martini I had locked up like a bank vault, your Ruger should be the same. Brass life should not be an issue.

This load does not work with Hornady 150's, Sierra may be OK, never tried. I have used 311 Sierra 180's in a Mosin, OK there.

I was on #5 or so reloading, still life left.
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This is some Top info Nitro-- Thankin ya.
I have some 40gr 2208 Loaded rounds ready to Test Fire at next chance i can.
 
WhelanLad said:
impossible ;)

Unless you have 3 rings holdin on yer scope tube ;)

I mean to ask, have you changed the 'rear' ring mount? I assume your 303 has a 1/4 Rib?
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Woah something went weird there.
Where’s the rest of my reply?
Posting on the phone while on the fly I suspect.

It’s all original. As issued rings.
 
For the Ruger #1 and P14 chambered in 303 Brit, you can use 308 Win loads. With Varget, that means you can go as high as a full case for most bullet weights.
 
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ok cool!
I shot 3 rounds today but I altered the Scope after each shot to Walk it in so I could then shoot a Group in coming days................. I noticed I have NNY and PPU stamped brass... an coincidently getting two different POIs..
1st LOW- adjusted UP
2nd coinciding with adjustment (diff brass)
3rd 2 inches higher than the first.... 2 inches lower than the 2nd.... grr

but very frusterated, will load in one brass an go again...

40gr 2208 at this stage... pump 3 thru that an work up too see if these Sierra 311s will shoot, .................
 
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WhelanLad said:
ok cool!
I shot 3 rounds today but I altered the Scope after each shot to Walk it in so I could then shoot a Group in coming days................. I noticed I have NNY and PPU stamped brass... an coincidently getting two different POIs..
1st LOW- adjusted UP
2nd coinciding with adjustment (diff brass)
3rd 2 inches higher than the first.... 2 inches lower than the 2nd.... grr

but very frusterated, will load in one brass an go again...

40gr 2208 at this stage... pump 3 thru that an work up too see if these Sierra 311s will shoot, .................
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The brass is not necessarily the problem, your methodolgy is the problem... three rounds with scope adjustments between each round tells you basically nothing... there is too much room for human error with that small a sample. Load up at least 20 rounds (I usually load 50 when working with a new rifle/scope combo), get your scope zeroed and then fire three to five shot groups to determine the accuracy potential of the load.

With regard to the brass, the more variables you remove the better, some people just shoot mixed lots of brass with no sorting whatsoever... personally I like to use only one brand of brass for any particular rifle, and then I sort out any pieces that are significantly out of spec. If you are only chasing hunting accuracy, then carefully weighing your powder charge and using the same primers across the board are usually all that is required for good hunting accuracy.

Give your load another go with all-same brass and more rounds loaded to see what it is really doing.
 
pictures from a 40gr session and 42gr session.. consistant side wind but nothing tooo major... what does the pictures tell you guys??

my COAL tip to base is 74mm , the book says 78 for 150gr, do you think this is going to dramatically tighten groups if I load these sierras well out ????

what does the Case base tell you? those shiney patches??? I have my suspiscions but happy to know thoughts?


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All shots with a cold barrel, waited a good 15 mins in 20c temps.. (a cooler southerly breeze bought some rain last night)
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Safe to say it doesn't like 150grainers?? especially .311s ?
 
Arctic said:
Brass says it might be warm, single shots instead of 3 tell me nothing. Is that a file mark on the brass for constant orientation?
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Not entirely sure what you mean by one shot instead of 3 gives you nothing?

No filing involved , markings after firing , perhaps closing taking a nic off?

3x 40gr
3x42 gr all shot with time allowed to cool barrel... wont ever use it for more than 2 in a Row, further than 150m.

primers indicate warmth up high, 45gr was too warm IMO, bit harder to extract.

42 is up there I guess... 40 was great.
ideally load low enough to not stress stuff.
 
ive also got a Black marker Dot on the primer to indicate a different Load.
not real worried about primer info, but the markings around the base which u perceived as file markings..
 
I suspect the "file" marks are from the breech block sliding across the Base. Your Privi brass may have a thicker rim than standard. To my eye the primers themselves do not show high pressure.
 
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