- Location
- Tumbler Ridge, BC
Just wondering what's out there in a flat based 174gr or 180 for 303 Brit?
303 Brit flat based bullets?
- Thread starter flying pig
- Start date
- Location
- Tumbler Ridge, BC
I've heard from lots of experts on LE rifles that they shoot much better with flat based bullets. I have four of them to load for, figured I'd try them and I know I'll use them up either way.
I know that Sierra and Hornady make the flat based bullet. The trade off is the round nose and reduced BC. I bought a schwack of the Sierra 174 boat tails to try out (have not loaded yet), but in my rifle (a '54 No4 mk2) I tried out the UMC 174. They are boat tails MC "pointed'.
My rifle loved those things and shot very, very well with that ammo at 300 yards.
I would suggest trying out that ammo first and seeing if your rifle likes the boat tails before getting the round nose.
Edit...should have mentioned that I sighted in the rifle first with the 180 gr Remington RN ammo. When shooting the UMC, I had to adjust my rear sight because the UMC shot flatter than the RN. Both were factory loads.
My rifle loved those things and shot very, very well with that ammo at 300 yards.
I would suggest trying out that ammo first and seeing if your rifle likes the boat tails before getting the round nose.
Edit...should have mentioned that I sighted in the rifle first with the 180 gr Remington RN ammo. When shooting the UMC, I had to adjust my rear sight because the UMC shot flatter than the RN. Both were factory loads.
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The "ballistic" advantage of a boat tail isnt really realized till you get out to longer distances like 300+. "after" that, they slow down at a lower rate than round nose.
BUT, a shooter should try boat tailed bullets as a matter of course to find the most accurate load. If your particular rifle shoots boat tailed bullets better than the round nose bullets, then shoot them.
Typically I have found flat based bullets "easier" to find a top performing load.
For those who are interested, I have found Winchester 760, and H414 to be great powders for top performance in my .303's. (175-180grain bullets).
Have fun you gunnutz!
BUT, a shooter should try boat tailed bullets as a matter of course to find the most accurate load. If your particular rifle shoots boat tailed bullets better than the round nose bullets, then shoot them.
Typically I have found flat based bullets "easier" to find a top performing load.
For those who are interested, I have found Winchester 760, and H414 to be great powders for top performance in my .303's. (175-180grain bullets).
Have fun you gunnutz!
As dthunter siad flat base bullets are better for short distances up to 300 yds and Boat Tail bullets are better from 300 yds. on,especially when were talking about old Mil-Surplus type rifles. The flat base bullet exits the crown cleaner with less blowby at that exact moment.
The FB lead core bullet also upset/obturates more readily to seal the bore especially worn bores than it's BT counterpart. In 1938 when the Mark 8 BT ammo was introduced and used in 303 service rifles it was found that rifles that formally used Cordite loads suffered significant bore erosion form the use of the new BT bullet due to the fact that the BT design channeled the hot gases more directly towards the bore like a cutting torch.
Depending on your type of shooting you might want to try both as see which one works better,but at ranges under 300 yds. you will probably find out the FB bullets shoot more accurately and are much cheaper.
The FB lead core bullet also upset/obturates more readily to seal the bore especially worn bores than it's BT counterpart. In 1938 when the Mark 8 BT ammo was introduced and used in 303 service rifles it was found that rifles that formally used Cordite loads suffered significant bore erosion form the use of the new BT bullet due to the fact that the BT design channeled the hot gases more directly towards the bore like a cutting torch.
Depending on your type of shooting you might want to try both as see which one works better,but at ranges under 300 yds. you will probably find out the FB bullets shoot more accurately and are much cheaper.
