Loading for ruger#1 303 British

Clarke, I had good results with 46 grains of H4350, and Hornady 174RN bullets in my old rifles. I suspect that you won't be able to put enough in the case to do any harm with the Ruger.
They have the added plus of measuring .312, and having a long bore contact surface, meaning they are a fairly accurate bullet, and a super moose, or deer round.

I never got around to trying Varget in the 303, but I bet it's also good.
Steve Regewell's data shows 40.5 as max under the same bullet above.
 
Leeper said:
Clarke, with your "ladder" test, you are simply seeing the Ruger's sensitivity to varying velocities and/or barrel times. Keep in mind als that consistent velocities may or may not mean consistent barrel times (although it usually does). There are two things which can minimize but not eliminate this. The first is proper bedding of the forend to achieve the proper pressure and stability. The second is lightening of the hammer to reduce the interia and momentum of the hammer.
Like Ted said, BLc2 can be a good powder. I have a bit of prejudice against ball powders which is probably unfounded. I'm sure guys nowdays enjoy this "ladder" test stuff but I would just throw in a reasonable amount or the powder I wish to test into 5 rounds and shoot. The powder which seems to work the best would then get further attention. My load workup techniques would probably seem pretty lacadaisical to today's internet educated shooters/reloaders. The only time I use a ladder is to climb up on the roof. Regards, Bill.
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Bill, usually doing a ladder load work up makes things far easier than more difficult. I've been finding that most of the time a reasonably good hunting load can be established with 10-12 rounds fired.

But then again, most of the rifles I use are bolt actions and most are bedded and not nearly as "sensitive" as what this #1 appears to be!

Also, I dont' have much experience with the #1's and I'm exceeding the max powder charges listed and even though the RUger #1 is much stronger than a SMLE, I still like to go slow and safe when working up loads in what is to me, "uncharted" territory.;)

Plus, it's interesting....;)

That being said, the reality is that I will likely first shoot a blacktail deer and a black bear with this rifle, and both will probably be about 25 yards away, so your method does have merit.:p

I loosened off the forend screw a bit, going to see what the local shop has for ammo, see how that works.
 
Took mr Leepers advice and just loaded up some 150 sierraswith 46gr h4895.

One 1" 3 shot group with a vertcal flyer 4th shot

after a scope adjust I had 1 vertical flyer then one lower then 2 shotsin the same hole. This gun likely needs bedding after hunting season but it is good to go for now.
 
So I loaded up more 46gr h4895. First shot was 2.5 " higher than point of aim at 100- right where I wanted it to be. Next 3 shots made a 1.5" group dead on At 100!!??

Guess the first shot is going to go high but it's fine for hunting. Then I decided to chrono it and it was 2400fps? I tried another with same results

Then I realized i had used H4350!!!

So I shot at the 250 gong and got 4" low and 20" low at 335 but at 335 2 shots almost touched and one was out about 4 "

low velocity but it's time to hunt and this will do fine for blactails at 25 feet to 50 yards. If I head out for sheep I will take my 300wsm!!
 
Good group

My first time out with the Ruger last weekend produced typical No.1 groups,ie: two within an inch and a third a couple inches away. I tried old 150 gr. Herters, IVI Sabre Tip 180's. This week I came across a box of old Winchester P.P. 180 gr. I didnt know I had. Using recent production IVI cases, CCI#200 primers and 46 gr. IMR 4350, I got this tight 5 shot group at 75 yards. This is from the bench of course. Scope is old Weaver 2.5 post&crosshair which is not exactly for target work.
Ruger303group.jpg
 
So her eis my first target of 46H4350

59527_464356080515_526315515_7081370_5650453_n.jpg


This is today- FIrst shot high,the rest ina group

46858_464356105515_526315515_7081372_3562705_n.jpg


2 shots at 335-340 yards

59048_464356150515_526315515_7081373_6201421_n.jpg


And the 3rd one, off to the right

60945_464356175515_526315515_7081374_4157044_n.jpg


Now, these are 30-30 velocities. I am guessing that like many rifles, this one has a point where accuracy is good with low pressure and a point that is good with hihgh pressure. I also expect that with a bit of tweaking etc, this rifle will shoot very well with high pressure ammo, just like most do. And I also think that these rifles may do better with longer, heavier bullets. But it's time to HUNT, not fiddle with rifles and handloads, so I'm going to hunt....;)

I can get by with this performance for now...No way I am going to try to bed a #1 myself as I am barely competent enough to bed Rem 700's and Winchester 70's and RUger 77's I've bedded but it's a pain so I sent the last one out...

So I will send this to get done AFTER hunting season!:D:D
 
josquin said:
Too bad Steve Redgwell isn't making his 200 gr. bullets any more, although I think Hawk makes a 215 as does Woodleigh.

:) Stuart
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Yes, I'm sure Steves bullets would work well, but he doesn't make them anymore I htink... If I could find some Woodleighs I'd be a happy camper. 200/215grs at low velocity should penetrate and kill as well as a TSX at 3000 fps!

However, for me, this rifle will probably always be a "deer stalker" rifle for blacktails at close range, and the 150s will work fine for that. I'm not going to take this rifle on a backpack sheep hunt or a horseback moose hunt;)
 
Gatehouse said:
... If I could find some Woodleighs I'd be a happy camper. 200/215grs at low velocity should penetrate and kill as well as a TSX at 3000 fps!..
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Isn't Corlane's carrying Woodleigh now? (TradeEx lists about every calibre BUT the .303. But if you have a .318 WR or a 700 Nitro, they can help you out.)

I found a post on The Highroad from a chap in Australia for loads for the 215's:

AR 2209 (H4350):
Start 42.0 for 2045 fps, max 45.0 (Comp) for 2185 fps.

Still, as you noted, for your immediate purposes, not required.

:) Stuart
 
Gatehouse said:
Yes, I'm sure Steves bullets would work well, but he doesn't make them anymore I htink... If I could find some Woodleighs I'd be a happy camper. 200/215grs at low velocity should penetrate and kill as well as a TSX at 3000 fps!

However, for me, this rifle will probably always be a "deer stalker" rifle for blacktails at close range, and the 150s will work fine for that. I'm not going to take this rifle on a backpack sheep hunt or a horseback moose hunt;)
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Yes, Gatehouse, Corlane,s carrys Woodleighs 215 grs.
 
Gatehouse,
I wish you would quit pussyfooting around and put some powder in that thing! Remember, think 308, not 30/30!
If you get some 215's, you might want to try my old load of 46 grain of 4350 for a velocity of about 2325fps (don't use this in the old Lee Enfield. Brass life will suffer.) With 180's 50 grains of 4350 works great (about 2650). You need to use a long drop tube for this.
Get that 303 working the way it should and the 300WSM will just sit in the corner! Regards, Bill.
 
loading for 303 british

hello fello cgn'er ive been loading for the 303 for a few yrs now my favorite oad in my rifles is using IMR4350 ,though many have frowned upon me using it because of its"slow burn rate" this does not seem to affect accuracy what so ever, im using curently in #4 and in #1mk111 rifles, the same load with ex results, 45.5 grns of IMR4350, using a hornad 174 hornady jacketed round nose bullet, remington brass , winchester large rifle primers, this gave me in my rifles with good barrels, 2.5" accuracy at 150 yrds, try it out an see for your self velocity was around the 2380fps mark,recoil is moderate,

hope this helps
 
Leeper said:
Gatehouse,
I wish you would quit pussyfooting around and put some powder in that thing! Remember, think 308, not 30/30!
If you get some 215's, you might want to try my old load of 46 grain of 4350 for a velocity of about 2325fps (don't use this in the old Lee Enfield. Brass life will suffer.) With 180's 50 grains of 4350 works great (about 2650). You need to use a long drop tube for this.
Get that 303 working the way it should and the 300WSM will just sit in the corner! Regards, Bill.
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I didn't intend to use 4350, put Hodgdon puts them in the same 4 lb jugs and I got confused!:p

I'm done playing with this rifle until November 30! Then I will send it to you for proper bedding, if that is okay by you. After that, we will see what she can REALLY do!:)
 
I once saw a rifle wherein the owner had loaded some Red Dot he had bought at a garage sale and which had been put into a 4831 can. Quite logically, he had loaded 58 grains of what he figured was 4831 behing a 180 Sierra in his 30/06.
My uncle did kind of like Gatehouse but went the other way and loaded 4320 instead of 4350 into his 270 Gibbs. A damn good proof load. I've seen so many powder mix-ups over the years, they seem almost commonplace. Regards, Bill.
 
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