.303 British

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Bones6966

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So I have a .303 lee enfield that was given to me as a kid by an old friend of my fathers.
It is over $40 for a box of rounds and is my only rifle. I'm trying to justify a reason to use it.

Is it to big to use on coyote? or any other smallish game?

If I can't find a use for it I might look to trade it or sell it for something I can actually use.

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If you make head shots, I've used a 308 for grouse. Actually, if you (or someone you know does) reload, they are pretty good with cast boolits and very light loads. Cheap as dirt to shoot that way, too.
 
Interesting. If I could get ammo cheap enough I would work on my shot so I could actually hit the head.
Would a body shot just be too damaging?
 
Perfect for deer, lot's of Moose taken with the 303. As mentioned, cast bullets perform very well in the 303 with lighter loads.
 
there may be an issue trying to explain to a CO that you are small game hunting with a big bore rifle, also in some parts of Ontario you have caliber restrictions (southern parts)
 
rhino519 said:
there may be an issue trying to explain to a CO that you are small game hunting with a big bore rifle, also in some parts of Ontario you have caliber restrictions (southern parts)
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Other than in areas with a caliber restriction why would the Game Warden care?

In BC centerfire rifles are legal for small game (coyote,fox, raccoon, skunk), grouse and ptarmigan, lynx and wolverine, crows and ravens, and more. Is Ontario different?
 
Riflechair has you covered: Maple Leaf Up!
Loads with 32, cal. , timed link didn't take, so jump to 12:25 .

Also as an aside, my local Wal-Mart has Remington Core-Lok 303 British ammo on sale for $30 instead of 40.
 
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Sad but this is the state of the Lee Enfield in Canada.
One of the all time greatest rifles ever made. Hundreds of thousands of them all over the country for still pretty low prices. Might as well be chambered to fire pure gold.
The caliber is on its way to the boneyard. USA never had any rifles chambered in it so there is zero interest in new manufacture ammo down South. Imported ammo from across the pond would cost more than what limited amounts are already available from USA at almost $2 a round.
Even reloaders have a very hard time finding projectiles.
It's a horrible, ironic situation indeed. I am in the same boat myself. Have a Jungle Carbine that I would love to shoot more but I don't reload and I sure as fack ain't paying $40 for a box of 20! :(
I find it odd how there are a few new Ammo companies selling bulk reloaded ammunition in Canada currently but noone has realized this potential market gold mine if they slam out even "acceptable accuracy" FMJ reloads for under $1 a round. You wouldn't be able to keep them on the shelf.
I can't imagine it's just myself and the OP in the exact same position in this country...
 
Bones, looks like you are a new parent. Congrats on that first and foremost. If you want practicality in southern Ontario, .22lr or a shotgun is the way to go. Personally, I would trade the Enfield in for a .22 bolt action because 1, the Enfield is sporterized so there is no real collector value, 2. 303brit ammo is expensive and even with reloading, you still can not beat the price of .22lr, 3, a decent .22 bolt action in good to very good condition will last you a life time and could be past down as an heirloom to your child. 4, chances are, your child will learn to shoot on a .22 and will enjoy firearms more if he/she is not initially scared off by the recoil of a 303. There is so much .22 rifles to chose from and I know just the store that will take your Enfield on trade for a good .22 or shotgun if you chose that route. PM me if you need additional info. Good luck
 
MiG25 said:
Other than in areas with a caliber restriction why would the Game Warden care?

In BC centerfire rifles are legal for small game (coyote,fox, raccoon, skunk), grouse and ptarmigan, lynx and wolverine, crows and ravens, and more. Is Ontario different?
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not to be condenscending but cause that's their job?
if one is hunting small game with a large caliber rifle, and small game seasons usually match big game seasons, one better have proper tags in their possession if you don't want to be explaining yourself in front of the judge
 
i'm in the same boat as many here, nostalgia keeps me attached to my Enfields, but costs of ammo and lack of reloading components keep me from enjoying shooting those great guns :(

op, you have to ask yourself how much are you attached to this rifle, a .22 rifle can be found for cheap if one is not too finicky, it toook most of us years to collect number of guns we have, just the way life is
 
Probably millions of pounds of moose and deer taken with those rifles. Nothing wrong with them if they shoot.

So what's $40?

Fire half a box to sight it in and you can get a deer a year for the next ten.
 
I reload for my .303's, easy peasy, no shortage. Components are around, just have to look a little harder. Only challenge is keeping brass sorted to each rifle since you neck size with .303 so it lasts longer.
 
$31 for Winchester is the cheapest I've found for new at ctire, and like Travis said even the projectiles for reloads are hard hard to find, especially for a good price. It's on the pricey side for plinking but I really enjoy shooting it.
 
Chas59 said:
I reload for my .303's, easy peasy, no shortage. Components are around, just have to look a little harder. Only challenge is keeping brass sorted to each rifle since you neck size with .303 so it lasts longer.
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This. Reloading components were hard to get a few years ago but that's not the case anymore. Multiple site sponsors sell multiple options from fmj to soft point to cast lead, from 150 to 180gr for jacketed bullets and like 90 to 220gr for cast.

If you're really cheap, pull down 7.62x54r or 7.62x39 and use the powder/bullets from those to make cheap ammo. (don't use the whole powder charge from the x54r if you like your face though)

$0.54/shot is what my reloads cost not counting brass (which I collected from shooting factory ammo before reloading) and it would be less if I used 7.62x39. Add a $45 Lee Classic Loader, $20 inertia puller, and a Lee hand prime ($40) and you're ready to go. Make 100 rounds of ammo and the gear pays for itself.

Also, two things should be noted. First, it's not that much more expensive than other common calibers ($32 for winchester at CT, vs $25ish for 30-06) and its nothing compared to some (eg. A box of 308 Norma Mag will run you like $90)
 
...first of all the LE is a good enough gun...it's good enough for shooting deer, and moose, and bears...and coyotes

...is it the best? ...it's underpowered for some and overpowered for others ...i suppose it's best for killing humans, which is what it was designed for ...but leaving cannibalism out of the picture, it will do an adequate job on game

...is it accurate? ...a couple of three inches at 100 yards, yup ...would i try and shoot a coyote at 300 yards with it? ...i'll try anything but in all likelihood it's a gamble every time ...would i try a lung shot at a deer at 300 with it? ...if i knew the gun and was well practised, sure

...the only way you'll know is to try ...pick up a lee loader, a pound of powder, get someone to sell you 100 cast bullets with gas checks and see how it does ...or go over to a friend's and have them show you how to reload, most guys who reload will be glad to show you the ropes ...reloading cast with unique powder is very inexpensive and just the right ticket for smaller game up close and then you still have a rifle for mid-sized game farther out ...if you need casings to try this out let me know and i'll send you some for free

good luck

ps...if those are diapers on your table then you will definitely be short on cash ;)
 
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