.303 british best Millitary arm ever built.

i know there are alot of .303 fans on here and I am one to, however I don't believe it is the best Military arm ever built, the '98 is tops, '03 Springfield, p-14,p-17, Garand, or the old Win'95 that was sold to the Russkies, I could go on but some readers will be boiling by now, good!! Even the old Krag!!!
 
Yes, I own a ".303 Brit". I own 20 of them, actually. They came in a little box with the word "Federal" on it :rolleyes: Why don't we have a smiley for sarcasm?

I'm assuming that because this post is in the reloading forum you're referring to the cartridge itself, rather than the many rifles that have been chambered for it. Yes, 303 British is a good cartridge, but by no means the "best ever built". Because typical bullet diameter for .303 Brit is actually around .312" instead of .308", bullet selection for reloading is limited to 3 or 4 different bullet weights & 1 or 2 different bullet shapes, as opposed to the plethora of bullet weights & shapes available in .308 cal. That being said, .303 British has taken a lot of game in North America (and wounded a lot more!!). As I said, it's a good cartridge but by no means the best, don't kid yourself ;)
 
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The lee enfield is the best bolt action battle rifle around.
The 303 br is a light - medium hunting round and will do the job well. No better or worse then many other in 95% of hunting situations.
 
Hi

I am going to step into this one.

First off, I like Mauser 98's

Now a rimmed cartridge is not a great thing for a combat rifle, rimless is the way to go. If you have to make sure the ammo is going in the right way, you are taking to long.

As far as the rifle itself. The SMLE and the #4 are great combat rifles.

The Mouth of the chamber is clearly visible. Easy to remove stuck case or crud.

No locking lug area to keep clean, or freeze up and get stuck.

Headspace easy to change. Just change bold head.

Cocks on closing so you are not cocking the action and doing primary extraction at the same time.

4 lengths of shoulder stocks available for different shooters. Easy to replace if broken.

10 shots

Mag easy to replace if damaged.

Faster rate of fire then a 98


P.S. this topic should be in the Milsurp section
 
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Boer seun said:
Why?
I own one and it's a decent rifle but I find the action a little springy and cumbersome compared to the 98 Mauser
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Lets seen, 10 round clip fed mag; reasonable accuracy out to all man sized ranges, fast cycling bolt, able to be used in all types of weather and conditions. How about that for a start.

I am not saying it is the best bolt action. But for use in a battle condion, it is better then any other general use action.

The mauser may be a stronger action, but so what? The lee Enfield action is strong enough for the cartridge it was fed.
 
I'm with Gibbs505 on this one, Subdued most of the Pink bits of the map or at least policed them, put down two continental flare ups (I think they may have been due to the Germans accusing the neighbours of spilling their beer!) and assisted the rimless lads in Korea. Took Suez, and countless bushwars and "police actions".
The theory behind the beer thing is based upon the number of fights witnessed when in BAOR caused by over consumption of German beer. WW2 could have been "Oi Poland you spill my pint?"
British pub humour essential!
As for strong actions I am still using No4 action rifle in 762 and did in my service over 100 years after its introduction many years after every Mauser action had been retired off!
Hythe Small arms Instructors 15 aimed rounds per minute, stopped the Kaisers army at Mons and undoubtedly save France and Europe from an occupation that wouldnt have been easy to remove!
 
I'd like to ask the wifes Grandad, he had a dated mons star which basically meant he was there! A BEF old Contemptible. Artillery but in those days of the RFA and the RHA the 13 lb ers were up with the front line and I mean the front line. See Le Cateau.
 
True, at that point in the war the artillery still engages on direct fire basis, it would have been plenty hot for him. I he is still alive thank him for me, we owe alot to men like him!
 
Cocked&Locked said:
True, at that point in the war the artillery still engages on direct fire basis, it would have been plenty hot for him. I he is still alive thank him for me, we owe alot to men like him!
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Amen to that.
 
I can't comment on other military rifles but I've got a "bubba'd" version mk 4 and I love it.

It takes alot to make it "not shoot" and for hunting it's always steady. (I don't mean to hi jack your thread but I had to comment.)

Around here, everyone has a 303 as their second rifle. It's a favorite for the old timers. I would speculate that because of the popularity back then that this cartridge would account for more game in this province than any other. My new hobby is reloading for this thing - much to my wife's liking. :D

Regards
Ron R
 
Gunners in Combat

Cocked&Locked said:
True, at that point in the war the artillery still engages on direct fire basis, it would have been plenty hot for him. I he is still alive thank him for me, we owe alot to men like him!
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Its not common knowledge, but gunners in WW1 were seldom taken prisoner,as they fought to the last man,defending their field pieces. Yes indeed we owe them alot.
 
I Have a reworked P14 303 British as my "truck" rifle, and it gets bounced around a bit, but is very dependable, and, I might add, Very accurate. Ballistics in my reloads are on par with 308 Winchester loads, so it is not exactly a slouch. My groove diameter is .313", and thus most 312/313 bullets shoot well. One exception is the .311 Sierra 180 Spitzer which, despite it's smaller diameter, shoots under 1moa right out past 300 yards. The lee-Enfields are not a reloader's dream, but if loads are kept to moderate levels, they do just fine. I have seen some amazingly accurate examples of these also. The rimmed cartridge has some disadvantages, but if put in the magazine carefully, seems to work just fine. For sheer firepower in battle conditions, the SMLE was a formidable weapon, and would work in atrocious conditions without a hitch. I have shot a couple of moose and several deer and Black Bear with the 303. Inside 300 yards (+-50), it does the job if the shooter does his. Regards, Eagleye
 
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