303 brit

[Suther]

i think im going to just stick to my sks.

im lookin at a 1915 lee-enfield, and i got a serious thing for old guns.... but i think i will just leave it at home and take the sks when i want to shoot.

If you want an old bolt action gun that you can get cheap ammo for, turn that SKS into the start of a red rifle collection and go get a Mosin Nagant to add to it.

 

[green_fury]

If you just want to shoot it learn to cast your own bullets. (it's a fun passtime in it's own right. ) You can load down the round to 7 grains of bullseye or 26 grains of IMR 3031. Just make sure to slug your barrel to get a true bore size. C.E. Harris wrote a really good article on reduced loads for cast bullets for different uses.

 

[kennymo]

If you are not equipped to reload, like me, and don’t want to invest over 200 bucks, get yourself a good old Lee Loader (http://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-303-british.html). Cost 40$ and when you get the trick, you can easily reload 1 round within 30sec.

Stephen Redgwell, one of the most knowledgeable guy in Canada on the .303 highly recommend it (http://www.303british.com/)

The kit only neck size, so your brass will last longer. Seating a primer with a hammer is not exactly my cup of tea, so I strongly encourage using a hand priming tool.
I have reloaded over a thousand round of .303 with this little kit and I still love it, especially for the price.

My 2 cents.

I was just going to suggest this route.....great for the guy who only wants to load one or two different cartridges.

 

[TargetAcquired]

is it substantially more fun to shoot than my sks?

I, nor anyone else can answer that for you - it depends on what you prefer personally. Me, I get bored with semi's, so there is no comparison between an SKS and an Enfield. Working the glass-like action is half the fun of shooting it. Same reason why I can't stop buying lever guns - just so much fun to use. Your results may vary.

And, the recoil? It's there, and it's all good. Again, if you reload, you can decide how much recoil there will be - all of it, or none of it, or something inbetween.

I don't know what it is, but the same cartridge recipe always seems to kick harder in my #5 than in the #4. I know it's lighter and shorter, but compared to the #4, the JC kicks like a mule. And, I love it. I still think the #4 is more fun though.

 

[nw mb]

...second everything all these guys have said...good advice...I started with a Lee Loader in 1976 (in my university dorm room at that!)...moved to a press in 1979...now for plinking I use my .45-70 and Unique powder...I think it costs me $.04 per round...and I have used those brass cases that are dedicated to this oh my...???...dozens of times a piece...don't think they'll ever wear out at that low pressure...

good luck!

 

[popcanhunter]

If you just want to shoot it learn to cast your own bullets. (it's a fun passtime in it's own right. ) You can load down the round to 7 grains of bullseye or 26 grains of IMR 3031. Just make sure to slug your barrel to get a true bore size. C.E. Harris wrote a really good article on reduced loads for cast bullets for different uses.

That's a good idea. Especially cuz I'm a white death fan!