Bullets, powder and maybe a load for .303 Brit?

.Ben

.Ben

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just got some dies for 303 and cleaned up 200 cases ready to try to work up some loads for a sporter no1 mk3

where the best place to order some cheaper bullets for plinking? all i can find are hornady and such, is there a cheaper option? (i dont want cast lead thx)

what about powder? i have some varget and 3031 on hand i think im going to try the 3031 first because of cost any other powders that people like with the .303 brit?

also i only have a neck sizing die right now but im ordering a FL die as well, how many reloads do people do ususally between doing a full length rezise?


any: thoughts, opinions, threats, all appretiated:)
 
Most of my 303Br. shooting has taken place with a pair of Jungle Carbines fairly recently acquired. What's worked well for me, using the 174gr Hornady, are loads listed in the Hornady manual using IMR 4064. I've also picked up some 215gr Woodleigh bullets. Based on info from Ken Waters' Pet Loads for that weight, I've got good results with close to their suggested loads using IMR 4350 or IMR 4831.
 
For cheap plinking bullets get a mold (Lee 185gr, lyman 314299 205gr, or one from Cast bullet Engineering) and about 16 or 17gr of H110 or 2400. Far cheaper than any other option.
Grouch
 
If you're using brass fired in another rifle, you may have difficulty chambering it in your rifle - try chambering a few pieces. Its customary to FL resize, or partially FL resize when introducing once fired brass to a new rifle.
After that, the amount of neck sizings between FL resize varies with the type of brass and load - you do it when the brass becomes difficult to chamber - anywhere between 4 to 10 resizings...
 
I am using imr 4350 with a 150gr hornady spitzer bullet in my no 1, very happy with results as well. I dont remember the grain weight of powder right now, could look it up if you want for ya. I also really like cast in the 303, using the Lee 185gr, and one of my favorite loads is a 100gr Lee .311" pistol boolit. Over some Unique powder at 1245fps it is a great load, kicks like a 22lr and lays one heck of a wollup on gophers :)

I can send ya some cast if you want to try them out, PM me if ya do.

Matt
 
I've gotten good results with 24 gr of IMR 3011 with the Lee 185 gr cast bullet in a #5 Jungle Carbine, plus similarly good results in an Ishapore #1mk3. I'll see if I can post a photo of a group with the Jungle Carbine later.

I got some Hornady 150 gr Spitzers for making into hunting loads. I reloaded them with H4895 and got decent results. I'll try to post a photo of my results, with more specific information on the load later. IMR 3031 has served me well in a number of applications, so if you find published load data for it with the 150gr jacketed bullets, I'm confident that it would work fine.

Regards,

Frank
 
Check out Henry Nierlycho for cheap plinking bullets. He has Berry's I think, which is lots cheaper than anything besides cast. Varget is good and I intend to try RL15 as well, as soon as I get some 30 cal gas checks.

I know you said you're not interested in cast, but you really should explore the plinking possibilities with cast. I shoot reduced loads out of my 303 that are so much fun I forget how cheap it is. I use a 100gr boolit meant for the 30 cal
Luger pistol. Cheap. Fun. And because its reduced, I can use the brass again and again etc ad nauseam :)
 
You might want to consider trying the heavier bullets. Because a lot of older 303 are somewhat oversizes the heavier bullet often shoots better.
Neil
 
What hunt&hook listed is a good load for the Brit when using imr 3031 and that same bullet weight and type.Good accuracy out to 200 meters, bang on @ 100 meters. Neck size for your gun only as compared to other brass that wasn't fired in your Brit, then I would FL size any brass from another Brit or when using range brass. Don'y be worried about reloading for the Brit but make sure you inspect every casing and just keep track of how many times youv'e fired that particular brass. Keeping data on this sort of stuff is what makes reloading enjoyable and challenging. Have fun.
 
sisiphunter said:
I am using imr 4350 with a 150gr hornady spitzer bullet in my no 1, very happy with results as well. I dont remember the grain weight of powder right now, could look it up if you want for ya. I also really like cast in the 303, using the Lee 185gr, and one of my favorite loads is a 100gr Lee .311" pistol boolit. Over some Unique powder at 1245fps it is a great load, kicks like a 22lr and lays one heck of a wollup on gophers :)

I can send ya some cast if you want to try them out, PM me if ya do.

Matt
Click to expand...

Good point Matt,

The Brit is good for full power or lighter plinkers, I posted my main full load above but have had a lot of fun with .311 lubed round balls over 7 gr of 2400 or 5gr of Bullseye seated either like an ice cream cone or flush with the case mouth. Recoil like a 22 and tons of fun.

I have also used the pulled jacked 7.62X39 .311 bullets in the Brit with the same 17grs of 2400 under them. Cheap shooting and a lot of fun.

Cactus
 
I use Hornady 174gr .303 bullets (3131) with IMR 4064-39.5gr and OAL 3.03
This is exceptionally accurate load out of my Lee Enfield
 
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