25/303

[brybenn]

Anyone still using this wildcat? Ive found several different variations
Aside note for ordering custom dies and a reamer does the reamer come with a drawing to send out for dies.

The plan would be to pick up a cheap bubba'd 303 and rebarrel it with a decent sporter style like the churchills and old parker hales.

Also if this all comes together is there any real benefit for the 303 epps improved case over the standard 303? Mostly for brass life as a 100 or so fps dont bother me

 

[hoytcanon]

I have not used that particular chambering, but if you order your reamer from PTG they will email you the blueprint that you can forward to Whidden Custom Dies to have your die set made... I have gone that route several times... including a recently completed 7.62X57 rifle... it is not cheap when all is said and done, and you have to decide upfront if you are doing it to be unique or if you are seeking a certain cartridge for a specific application... if the latter, you would be better off choosing a common cartridge that (invariably) duplicates the performance of what you are looking for.

 

[Why not?]

I have owned a couple of Improved 303 rifle variants on Lee Enfield actions over the years, and can tell you that they are the most difficult rifles to get to feed reliably that you will encounter.

One 25-303 Imp was amazingly accurate and deadly on sheep and caribou, driving 100 gr bullets waaaay past 3000 fps, but would only feed two cartridges from the mag. A 303 Epps, done up by the man himself for me, would occasionally feed three.

I have heard the Pattern 14 rifles are a bit easier to work successfully, but have never owned one in an improved chambering.

Ted

 

[brybenn]

Hoyt the plan is to have a useable coyote rifle for crappy weather in a caliber restricted zone. Ive liked the look of the classic lee enfiled sporters put have no need for a 303

 

[hoytcanon]

Hoyt the plan is to have a useable coyote rifle for crappy weather in a caliber restricted zone. Ive liked the look of the classic lee enfiled sporters put have no need for a 303

Hmmm... there has got to be better options for you... hey, I'm all for chasing our own tail... I do it on a fairly regular basis, but you can buy yourself a whole second rifle, and a nice one at that, complete with a VX-3, for what you will drop on this project... add it up, reamer and gauge $200, custom dies $450, barrel $500, and the time, gas and energy to work it all out and get it done, then add your smith fees on top of that... and if you ever decide to sell... "IF" you can find a buyer, you have flushed 50% or more of your money down the toilet... if you are still in, COOL!!! Post pictures.

 

[brybenn]

Im in the process of getting a pair of 250 savages done as well. This will be the last year for my 2506 barrel to.
If i go ahead with this project i dont expect even 10% return of the cost. Its just to have something that works well and is different. I hate using scopes in the rain and snow although bushnells raingaurd works quite well