303 British Surplus Ammo Questions

[Painkillers]

This is just to put things into context; with regards to casing longevity.

I don't shoot large bore rifles and shotguns a lot anymore. Maybe 10 rounds per firearm each year, to make sure they are still zeroed in and functioning properly, or to pattern new or unfamiliar shotgun loads.

For tuning in my shooting skills, sighting, breathing, ergonomics, etc, I use a .22 rifle. The rounds are cheap and I can plink all day with no shoulder pain (tore both rotator cuffs a few years back). Typically if I'm leveling one of the big firearms, it's at something that is eventually going to end up on the plate, or in the freezer.

My last trip out for deer, I took 40 rounds for the .303 and came home with 37, the other three ended up putting deer on the pole. That's not a flex. I'm just too cheap to be flinging lead around unless I'm 99% certain of a kill.

I'm actually looking forward to blowing off the FMJ stuff this coming summer, both for the fun of shooting but also to see where my shoulders are as far as healed up and their ability to take the punishment of shooting more. After those rounds are reloaded, they'll end up in the ammo stockpile. The hope is I can have enough so I'm no longer worried about the skyrocketing cost, and increasingly shortage that seems to be there now for British .303. I'm 60 after all and figure I've only got a decade or so more before hanging it up for good.

I'll preemptively state that I know it's hard to incorporate new things, but the butt ought not be on your shoulder. It's meant to be on the pectoral muscle and under the collar bone. Try it, you'll find the l.o.p. feels like a fit glove and cheek weld very intuitive. Held properly, the rifles just fit. Held improperly, as you're aware, the .303 is enough to knock around even the largest men. Not only will you bruise, it can actually damage you (butt slap, nerve damage,...hold it on your collar bone and you'll know it.).