x55swm, I have taken a lot of game, including Moose/Elk/Bears/Deer out past 300M with various Lee Enfields in all numbers and marks.
It isn't so much whether the cartridge, with proper bullets, is capable of cleanly killing the animals but whether the shooter and firearm are capable of good accuracy under the conditions encountered.
Factory ammunition will shoot extremely well in SOME Lee Enfields and very poorly in others. It all depends on the condition of the particular rifle's bedding and of course bore size and condition.
I presently have a Long Branch No4 MkI*, 1950 date that I acquired about 25 years ago new, sold out of service, in the grease. There is even still some grease in it, because it shoots so well I am afraid to take it apart and screw it up.
I had a Parker Hale custom sporter with a very nice Walnut after market stock set that also shot better than I could hold.
On the other hand, I've also had unissued Lee Enfields of most marks that required hand loads with proper diameter bullets to match their over or undersized bores to be adequate for hunting requirements.
Then I've come across bubbaed sporters and even commercial sporters that wouldn't shoot anything better than shotgun patterns around 6 inches at 100m. No matter what was done to them that was the best they would do.
What you're asking about the capabilities of the 303 cartridge is likely a moot point. The greatest concern is the capability of the shooter and rifle.
The 303Brit/308Win/30-06/7.62x54R/8x57 etc are all in the same power class when their original specs are taken into account. All can be hand loaded for better but similar performance. All are more than adequate for big game out to and past 300m.
It isn't so much whether the cartridge, with proper bullets, is capable of cleanly killing the animals but whether the shooter and firearm are capable of good accuracy under the conditions encountered.
Factory ammunition will shoot extremely well in SOME Lee Enfields and very poorly in others. It all depends on the condition of the particular rifle's bedding and of course bore size and condition.
I presently have a Long Branch No4 MkI*, 1950 date that I acquired about 25 years ago new, sold out of service, in the grease. There is even still some grease in it, because it shoots so well I am afraid to take it apart and screw it up.
I had a Parker Hale custom sporter with a very nice Walnut after market stock set that also shot better than I could hold.
On the other hand, I've also had unissued Lee Enfields of most marks that required hand loads with proper diameter bullets to match their over or undersized bores to be adequate for hunting requirements.
Then I've come across bubbaed sporters and even commercial sporters that wouldn't shoot anything better than shotgun patterns around 6 inches at 100m. No matter what was done to them that was the best they would do.
What you're asking about the capabilities of the 303 cartridge is likely a moot point. The greatest concern is the capability of the shooter and rifle.
The 303Brit/308Win/30-06/7.62x54R/8x57 etc are all in the same power class when their original specs are taken into account. All can be hand loaded for better but similar performance. All are more than adequate for big game out to and past 300m.
