Close to 2800 FPS with my 150 TSX bullets and 4895
Cat
303 Brit powders
- Thread starter Crispy1988
- Start date
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Thanks, Ive been looking for slightly higher velocities without going into overpressure signs. ill try a ladder test.
44.4 grains of W760 is the sweet spot load for those bullets in my No1 and No4 full stock rifles
Being a "ball" type powder, it works best with magnum primers, if you have them.
I just loaded some of that powder, have yet to try it out. Ive been over run by getting my antique running.
This is very much dependent on the rifle. A Ruger isn't going to run at the same pressures as a SMLE.
R.
Right, a Ruger no 1 or a p14 can run the 303 at 308 pressures but a lee enfield or old Winchester shouldnt
Correct. A feller can really make the old cartridge sing in a higher pressure action!
R.
Why not?
It depends on which model of Lee Enfield you're loading the cartridge for.
With the Ruger No1, the weakest link is the cartridge case, as that action easily handles some of the hottest cartridges designed to be shot out of hand held rifles.
The No4 MkI Lee Enfields were regularly converted to handle 7.62 Nato pressures and used extensively.
Some of the "INDIAN" manufactured No1 Lee Enfields were purpose made, using stronger steel to shoot 7.62 Nato only.
Adopted in 1963 and manufactured at India’s Rifle Factory Ishapore, India never intended the “Rifle, 7.62 mm 2A/2A1” for lengthy service—it was a stopgap until the country could fully equip with modern L1A1 select-fire rifles (also manufactured by Rifle Factory Ishapore) firing the 7.62 mm NATO round
I wouldn't suggest converting any earlier manufactured No 1 Lee Enfields or even some of the later Indian No 1 rifles, which were chambered for 303 Brit as they were still being made on the early grade steel.
As for the M95 Winchester, it should be able to handle pressures as high as anything the 30-06 Springfield cartridge or 7.62 Russian cartridge is loaded to, because it was also chambered for both of the latter rounds, as well as the 303Brit.
When it comes to the 303 British cartridge, and handloading, it most definitely is up to the individual to be aware of the capabilities of the rifles the cartridges are going to be shot from.
bearhunter, thanks again for the edification. We have a few Lee Enfield No 4s that we were providing for a .303 British shoot. The first step was to have the headspace checked and bolt-heads changed out where necessary, then we expanded new Hornady brass for uniformity and used VVN140 and Hornady 174 gr. FMJBT. After chronographing, we adjusted down, as match traditionally was to 600m/y only.
Regards,
Peter
Regards,
Peter
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