Does anyone have a kickass recipe for reloading Hornady 174 gr. FMJ/BT (#3131) to military specifications? I have a good range of powders but I'd like to find a load that's as close as possible to the original military specifications for use in my No.1 Mk.III* and my 1950 Long Branch No.4. I know the original bullets were flat base, but try to find them in FMJ. I also have some Hornady 174 gr. RN soft points (#3130) that do have the flat base and though they're a heavy bullet for whitetail, I'd like a good load for those as well. Thanks in advance.
.303 Mk.VII or VIII reloading specs
- Thread starter LawrenceN
- Start date
Bigrounds8mil
CGN Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, MB
Military loads for the 174 gr were around 2450 fps IIRC, as far as a kickass recipe, every gun is different. That being said, both of my No. 4's are quite happy with 38 - 39 gr of IMR4895 pushing a 180 gr pill @ 2250-2300 fps, just under 2" @ 100 m.
Using BL-C(2) also yielded good results moving close to the military speeds, I'll have to search for my notebook.
Some guys get lucky and the boat tails will work well for them, my Enfields won't have any of that, only flat base for me.
Using BL-C(2) also yielded good results moving close to the military speeds, I'll have to search for my notebook.
Some guys get lucky and the boat tails will work well for them, my Enfields won't have any of that, only flat base for me.
Winchester-1897
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
…………………………………..
Mk VII was flat base, Mk VIII was boat tail.
As said, about 2450 for Mk VIIz and 2550 for Mk VIIIz. Something right around Varget in burn rate will give you about the same charge weight as they had. Unfortunately, replicating Mk VII/VIII without access to cordite and unformed cases is impossible.
As said, about 2450 for Mk VIIz and 2550 for Mk VIIIz. Something right around Varget in burn rate will give you about the same charge weight as they had. Unfortunately, replicating Mk VII/VIII without access to cordite and unformed cases is impossible.
As stated above every Enfield rifle will be different, the rifles were tuned or regulated by adjusting the bedding at the rear draws area that would vary the up pressure at the fore end tip.
On top of this cordite powder was a double base powder that contained more nitroglycerin than many pistol powders have today. Meaning you are better off with a flat base bullet because of the throat erosion.
And cordite ammunition was banned from machine gun use due to rapid barrel wear and fall off of accuracy.
The Enfield rifle was tuned to issued military ammunition the opposite of reloading for "your "rifle.
In rifles with worn bores the Hornady 174 gr. RN bullet or Sierra 180 SPT gave good accuracy because of their flat base and long bearing surface to grip the worn rifling.
Bottom line find best bullet that is accurate and is as close to the military sights as possible and most say this is the Sierra 180 SPT in a properly bedded Enfield rifle.
A flat base bullet when fired and kicked in the seat of the pants will fill and seal the diameter of the bore. And a boat tail bullet will not fill the bore as well as a flat base bullet and the boat tail bullet will not be as accurate with a worn muzzle. Meaning the boat tail will be deflected by uneven gas flow over the rear of the bullet at the muzzle.
On top of this cordite powder was a double base powder that contained more nitroglycerin than many pistol powders have today. Meaning you are better off with a flat base bullet because of the throat erosion.
And cordite ammunition was banned from machine gun use due to rapid barrel wear and fall off of accuracy.
The Enfield rifle was tuned to issued military ammunition the opposite of reloading for "your "rifle.
In rifles with worn bores the Hornady 174 gr. RN bullet or Sierra 180 SPT gave good accuracy because of their flat base and long bearing surface to grip the worn rifling.
Bottom line find best bullet that is accurate and is as close to the military sights as possible and most say this is the Sierra 180 SPT in a properly bedded Enfield rifle.
A flat base bullet when fired and kicked in the seat of the pants will fill and seal the diameter of the bore. And a boat tail bullet will not fill the bore as well as a flat base bullet and the boat tail bullet will not be as accurate with a worn muzzle. Meaning the boat tail will be deflected by uneven gas flow over the rear of the bullet at the muzzle.
Last edited:
They're hard to come by but the flat base bullets with the exposed lead base work very well in most Lee Enfield rifles. The exposed lead supposedly helps to obdurate the jackets into the rifling for a better fit.
