I just bought a Lee Enfield No 5 Jungle carbine. What's the best I can expect to do on 303 ammo? I can get S&B or prvi partozan for around 27.50 shipped from Tradex if i buy bulk or combine with other ammo. Anyone know of a better deal?
.303
- Thread starter sailor723
- Start date
31.99 according to CT website.
$27 for prvi is a good price. Keep the brass to reload later.
I couldn't find the 303 but the 270 and 30-06 in Winchester is 25.99. So I was off only by .99. I would assume the 303 is the same price.
Nope. 303 is almost never the same as the 270/30-06. I literally *just* looked it up before posting the price. Just type 303 into the search on the CT website, its the 5th hit i get.
Fwiw, $32 isn't a bad price these days either. Not a *good* price, but not bad.
I just scored some 243 Corelokts from Walmart for $26 a box. They rang in at at til for $29.97... With the info you guys provide, this makes me think a lot of ammo may have just went up in prices...
You are correct. I wonder why the are 7 bucks more. At least I have 3 boxes and I also now have the reloading equipment so no worries about price anymore.
Casting is a bit much for a lot of people. For instance I have nowhere to melt down lead. Also, pennies per round is a bit ambitious for something like 303. Even if the lead is free, the powder and primer will run like 40c a round. In addition to that, you can't push cast bullets as fast as you would a jacketed round, and thats a deal breaker for some, especially if they use the iron sights on their enfield. This would be the cheapest option though, once you invest in all the equipment necessary (which is another deal breaker for some)
In general though, reloading will cut your per round cost in half if not more, even if you buy jacketed bullets. You can get those for around $40/100, which would take cost per round to around 80c each if you already have the brass. (Compared to $1.79/round if you buy it at 32/box+tax(12% in BC)) You can get those prices slightly lower if you buy cast bullets, and even lower if you cast your own.
Actually, the CHEAPEST option is to cannibalize surplus 7.62x54r, and use the bullets and powder to load 303 with. DO NOT use the full powder charge from x54r in a 303 case though or you might blow your face off. If you look around you can find more info on this method and how to safely do it. The 303 I make this way cost about 40c each. With a $40 lee classic loader and a $20 inertia puller, you've got all the equipment you need to make cheap plinking ammo.
Supply and demand I would think. Anything made from a 30-06 based case or 308-based case is cheaper due to the volume they are made in most likely. Keep in mind, the 303 is not popular south of the border, whereas 30-06, 308, 270, ect all are, so production runs of 303 will more than likely be smaller or less frequent.
I don't know how you guys are finding 26-27 bucks for 303. The cheapest I have seen is 29-35 a box.
Suther explained it well. The lee loader classic is what I use for my 303 needs. It is 40% cheaper AFTER you break even. I am paying .70 cents a round with jacketed bullets. If you are lucky like me your enfield will function with .308 dia bullets which are cheaper and easier to find.
Casting is too much hassle for me. Same as breaking down 54r. I would rather buy a mosin then break down 54r ammo.
Suther explained it well. The lee loader classic is what I use for my 303 needs. It is 40% cheaper AFTER you break even. I am paying .70 cents a round with jacketed bullets. If you are lucky like me your enfield will function with .308 dia bullets which are cheaper and easier to find.
Casting is too much hassle for me. Same as breaking down 54r. I would rather buy a mosin then break down 54r ammo.
OP, if you reload, your best bet is to get a bunch of brass and fly at it. You can reload the 303B for under a dollar per round with buld FMJ bullets. If you want hunting soft points it will cost more.
If you don't reload then you will just have to watch for the sales.
The most expensive part of shooting isn't purchasing the rifle, it's the ammo, especially if you plan on shooting a lot.
If you don't reload then you will just have to watch for the sales.
The most expensive part of shooting isn't purchasing the rifle, it's the ammo, especially if you plan on shooting a lot.
