.303 British cheapest gallery loads?

TargetNorth

TargetNorth

Regular
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
Location
Southern Alberta
Hi Guys
I searched for about half an hour looking through old posts and couldn't find what I'm looking for...

I want to reload some super cheap and easy "gallery loads", or really light plinking loads for my 303 british. I don't want to cast right now. I hope to in the future. What I can find so far is:

1. Cast .32 cal pistol bullets from bullet barn, $40/500 + shipping
2. .32 cal jacketed pistol bullets from marstar, $84/1000 + shipping
3. .308 cal M1 carbine bullets from marstar, $84/1000 + shipping
Any others you guys can find that are cheaper?

Thanks,
Barry
 
Of the two, I'd go with the cast pistol bullets over a load of Bullseye. Problem is, unless by "Gallery" you mean 25 yds of less, you will probably not find their accuracy satisfactory. The bullet will have a long jump to the rifling and that is not conducive to good accuracy. Stick with the fastest powders too, because there will be an interval when the bullet is "in limbo" (neither in the case, nor engaged in the rifling) and that causes a temporary drop in pressure, which with all but the fastest powders can cause hangfires because the pressure's too low early on to seal the neck.

I've tried 90 gr bullets and been disappointed. They cost a bit more, but I'd go with a bit heavier cast (~120 gr) and I think you'll be a lot happier.

I'd go with a
 
Maybe "gallery load" is the wrong word, I was thinking of shooting cans/blocks of wood etc inside 200m ish.

I am the guy with guns in the extended family, and am trying to get everyone interested. It's fun to have the .303 out at the farm and show people a bit about it, and the history behind it etc. Light, cheap loads are lots of fun to show safe gun handling, target practice etc. It gets expensive pretty quick though, so emphasis on cheap and not on fancy.

Andy, what about the 110gr .30 carbine bullets from marstar? They are .308 but might work?
 
Cheapest would be to get a mold for a proper 303 bullet and cast em your self. For plinking you could be pretty casual about the process. Either that or pay someone to cast you a batch.
 
I would think that any good quality cast bullets from 175-215grs. would be the least expensive and most accurate way to enjoy plinking out to 200 yds. If the bullet is Gas checked and the right size you would be able to push it over 2000fps and should group good out to 200 or more.
 
Buy some 7.62x39 Czech surplus, pull the bullets, dump the powder in your primed .303 cases and seat the .311 surplus bullet on top... 1700-1900fps, fun plinking load and plenty accurate in my tanker No4 and longbranch No4.

Adding filler over the ~24 grain factory charge would likely improve consistency.

HTH
MB
 
Tradex, has 7.62 Nagant Revolver bullets, at $15/100. Tony might even throw in free shipping if you purchase a thousand, can't hurt to ask. $150/1000 is pretty cheap shooting.

The real problem with shooting pulled 7.62x39 bullets, is their weight and steel cores. They shoot accurately enough at short ranges but they penetrate very well, even at low velocities.

You don't mention the ranges or the range you're planning on using. If it's indoors, you will want to stay away from lead, unless it's well ventilated. Penetration is a huge issue under these circumstances. Even a 22rf short, will penetrate most building walls, unless they are purpose built for the shooting. Safety is a major consideration.

The light bullets, will also require special loading techniques. Light powder charges will be necessary. It will be very important, to keep the powder in close proximity to the primer, for consistent ignition. Otherwise, you will get misfires and hangfires and lousy accuracy. I had a 10 yard basement range, many moons ago. I used to shoot plastic bullets that I would press into wax to add weight. I shot these through a 357 mag. The primer pockets in the specialty cases, were filled with shot gun primers. No powder was used at all. Not only that but all of the components, other than the primers were reusable.

I quit using the range, when my neighbours started to complain. Even with only the shot gun primers, hearing protection was needed and the sound was irritating next door. I even tried insulating the area. It helped but not enough. Their complaints were legitimate. They weren't afraid at all, just irritated by the noise. Another problem was ventilation. The primers, give off a lot of gas and it doesn't take long to become irritating to the shooter.

I wonder if that stuff is still available. I haven't seen any advertised for at least 30 years.
 
Hey Guys
This will be s
hot out at the farm where shooting is fine, neighbours don't mind and often are out shooting themselves.

Well, given that I can get cast lead bullets from the bullet barn for $80/1000, $17/100 is pretty expensive. Also, pulling 7.62x39mm is at least $0.20 per bullet by my math.

Thanks for the ideas, I appreciate it,

Barry
 
"....308 cal M1 carbine bullets..." Wrong diameter.
.32 cal pistol bullets are too short. Find some cast bullets. Slug your barrel first though.
 
sunray said:
"....308 cal M1 carbine bullets..." Wrong diameter.
.32 cal pistol bullets are too short. Find some cast bullets. Slug your barrel first though.
Click to expand...

I have already slugged my barrel. I know .308 cal bullets are wrong diameter, but that doesn't mean they won't work fine for what I'm intending... that is showing new people an old milsurp without too much cost, or recoil.

I'm going to get the .32 cal pistol bullets and do a reduced load. Lots of info for reduced loads with pistol powders around, seems to work fine. Some say they won't magazine feed but that's alright for me.

I intend to get a bullet mold and do it proper, but this will be a good start.

Thanks for the input,
Barry
 
A friend of mine uses a 200gr gc cast bullet (not sure which one, but I think it's an RCBS mould) without the checks with SR4759 at around 1800fps. I've shot these loads a few times and they are pretty accurate (about 2moa) out to 200yds in both his #1mk3 and #4 mk1 enfields. They have very little recoil or muzzle blast and are great for general plinking and for first time shooters. I've read about several people that have had good results with 16-18gr of 2400 with 180-200gr cast bullets but haven't tried that combo myself. For loads (pun intended :D ) of info on cast boolits try here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/
 
Go to the castboolits.com forum lots of leadheads there and they're quite happy to help a guy out.............Harold
 
I use .32 cal 100gr HP/XTP bullets over 18gr of SR4759 for 1470 f.p.s. They shoot great out of my P14. The kids love shooting a big, loud, scoped rifle with no recoil. O.A.L. is 2.564"
 
I think that the "200 meter ish" thing threw people, as pistol bullets won't cut it out there, you need properly cast and sized bullets of 180 to 215 grs. tp group(reach) 200 meters.
 
I was just sitting at the reloading bench getting ready to try some new Trail Boss loads. The SR 4759 loads came from the #9 Speer manual for several different calibers.

IMGP4691.jpg


IMGP3835.jpg


IMGP2717-a.jpg


100grainplinker.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom