I must be sitting on the fence cause I have yet to buy one, I love the round and the rifle (have one in 45-70). Are you owners happy with the accuracy so far? From what I hear it seems that the rifle in 303 tends to shoot the heavier bullets better than the lighter ones...............what are your thoughts?
RUGER#1 in 303........are you happy?
- Thread starter bros
- Start date
Mine handles nearly all bullet weights with more than acceptable accuracy.
However it is a bit fussy with certain brands of bullets.
One surprise was when I tried some 220 gr. .308 bullets out of curiosity.
A 3-shot group made 1" and thinking that was a fluke I repeated the load and went back to the range.... guess what, same results.
Its an ideal rifle if you like walking in the bush and meadows when you're hunting.
Having it has relegated a lot of my heavier rifles to "safe queen " status.
However it is a bit fussy with certain brands of bullets.
One surprise was when I tried some 220 gr. .308 bullets out of curiosity.
A 3-shot group made 1" and thinking that was a fluke I repeated the load and went back to the range.... guess what, same results.
Its an ideal rifle if you like walking in the bush and meadows when you're hunting.
Having it has relegated a lot of my heavier rifles to "safe queen " status.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
.303 #1
Mine was from original run. Really like it although havent carried it in the field yet (too many guns ahead of it). Shoots 150gr. Hornady's very well.
Profet River has some pictured on his site I see.
Geoff
Mine was from original run. Really like it although havent carried it in the field yet (too many guns ahead of it). Shoots 150gr. Hornady's very well.
Profet River has some pictured on his site I see.
Geoff
Thats interesting because mine will not do well at all with that same bullet.
Using the same components my rifle will group 150 Hornady into 1.3" and the Barnes will group 3" +.
Frustrating because I really wanted to use the Barnes for hunting.
44.5grs IMR8208xbr & WLR primers. OAL 3.14". Does 2735 fps
303EppsFan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Almonte,Ontario
Love mine. It shot very well with 150 gr Sierra loads I had made up for a No. 4. Working with 150 Hornady now. Haven't tried any heavy stuff. Joy to carry during deer season.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Granted I'm not shooting a No. 1 in 303 but a bullet that works well for me, well, two brands actually are the Hornady 174gr RN and the 215gr Woodleigh. These bullet diameters are 0.312" where as your Barnes are 0.308" and that may explain the accuracy results you're getting.
Powders, I get good results with both IMR 4064 and IMR 4350.
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I can't speak for your Barnes bullets, but I measured 10 TSX out of a box and all except 2 were 0.312, the two in question miked out at 0.3125.
The 220 Hornady that shoot so well in my rifle mike out at 0.308 and 0.3085.
In theory they should be bouncing down the bore...
As for the .314 bore thing I'm going to slug it and see....
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Sorry guy. Admittedly, while I am using a number of Barnes bullets in a few different calibers, my 303 is not one. I have the Barnes #4 manual and in it, I didn't notice any bullet diameters between 0.308" and 0.323" so I 'assumed'
the Barnes you made mention of 'may' have been 0.308". My mistake. What weights of bullet does Barnes make for the 303 caliber?My Ruger #1 in .303 British has been a great rifle so far. It shoots well, and is easy to carry.
Last season with Federal 150 grain softpoints, I shot my moose at 150 yards and my 151 3/8s (5x6) whitetail at 320 yards. This season again with Federal 150 grain softpoints, I shot a real nice 167 6/8 point (5x7) whitetail. Hopefully, I will add a bear to the list this coming spring.
The Remington 180 grain core lokts group right under an inch at 100 yards.
Last season with Federal 150 grain softpoints, I shot my moose at 150 yards and my 151 3/8s (5x6) whitetail at 320 yards. This season again with Federal 150 grain softpoints, I shot a real nice 167 6/8 point (5x7) whitetail. Hopefully, I will add a bear to the list this coming spring.
The Remington 180 grain core lokts group right under an inch at 100 yards.
Sorry guy. Admittedly, while I am using a number of Barnes bullets in a few different calibers, my 303 is not one. I have the Barnes #4 manual and in it, I didn't notice any bullet diameters between 0.308" and 0.323" so I 'assumed'
I honestly do not know Johnn, this box I have says Barnes TSX 303 Br. .311 dia.
I bought them from a fellow of questionable reputation that is involved with a sporting goods store West of PG ( betcha can't guess who ? )
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I honestly do not know Johnn, this box I have says Barnes TSX 303 Br. .311 dia.
I bought them from a fellow of questionable reputation that is involved with a sporting goods store West of PG ( betcha can't guess who ? )
You're right. After your previous post, I was about to check the Barnes website but my wife & I had a Skype session
with our Daughter and Granddaughters in AB. I did just check and although not listed in my manual, there are a couple of TSX bullets listed on their site.
- one, 123gr TSX BT, 0.310"
- and a second 150gr TSX FB, 0.311".
Wouldn't be a young fella from Vanderfoof would it?? .
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Unbelieveable !! I'll bet you were a detective in a previous life !
[/QUOTE]You got me
. Maxwell Smart at your service. A while back, on the way through to visit a friend now living in Terrace, I stopped in at the Omineca in Vanderhoof and purchased a pair of Buck knives.Back to topic
, if you get the chance, try some of those 0.312" diameter bullets.The area seems to be decent Moose country and another friend has expressed the opinion we should consider going there for Moose, and Black Bear while we're there. Haven't decided yet.
