.310 123 grain jacketed bullets for .303 plinking?.
- Thread starter rocklin
- Start date
I've shot 125's out of a P14 ahead of 33.0 grs of H4198 with good results. This would be safe in a Lee Enfield (I went quite a bit higher in the P14, i.e. 39.0 grs).
That said, depending on your bore's groove diameter, these small bullets might not shoot very well. The saving grace is that even without a flat base (albeit an open boat tail), with the relatively quick powder, they might "bump up" and fill the bore nicely. Hope so - you have 1000 of them.
That said, depending on your bore's groove diameter, these small bullets might not shoot very well. The saving grace is that even without a flat base (albeit an open boat tail), with the relatively quick powder, they might "bump up" and fill the bore nicely. Hope so - you have 1000 of them.
8gr of titegroup or 10 of w231
ive used both with 150gr jacketed no signs of pressure
i take apart 7.62x39 and use the powder and bullet in a 303 case pretty often, a few of my lee enfields like them more then half dont. not sure if its the bullet jump before rifling starts or the under bore projectiles.
those are pistol powder loads ive used myself MANY times
i have also used these other loads myself depending on powders i had, but they burn a lot of powder for a plinking load. Ive used them with cast (96-205gr)and jacketed (150gr)
16-18gr A2400
25gr AA5744
32-40gr IMR 3031
28-40gr H4895
ive used both with 150gr jacketed no signs of pressure
i take apart 7.62x39 and use the powder and bullet in a 303 case pretty often, a few of my lee enfields like them more then half dont. not sure if its the bullet jump before rifling starts or the under bore projectiles.
those are pistol powder loads ive used myself MANY times
i have also used these other loads myself depending on powders i had, but they burn a lot of powder for a plinking load. Ive used them with cast (96-205gr)and jacketed (150gr)
16-18gr A2400
25gr AA5744
32-40gr IMR 3031
28-40gr H4895
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Good timing, I just got a case of 1000 123 gr Pulled Russian from Canada Ammo!
Shot a trial of 3 light loads for my 303 today.
Using H4895, I loaded 5 each of 30, 33 and 36 grains just to see how they group.
30 gr shot 6" low of my POA with a 5 inch group
33 gr shot 2" low of my POS with 1" windage and 4 inch vertical group
36 gr shot 7" high with a 5 inch group
The 30gr loads felt super soft
Temp was -14C so I expect I may get different results when things warm up
Shot a trial of 3 light loads for my 303 today.
Using H4895, I loaded 5 each of 30, 33 and 36 grains just to see how they group.
30 gr shot 6" low of my POA with a 5 inch group
33 gr shot 2" low of my POS with 1" windage and 4 inch vertical group
36 gr shot 7" high with a 5 inch group
The 30gr loads felt super soft
Temp was -14C so I expect I may get different results when things warm up
Those are very night loads, sure the 30gr load was less than 2000fps, my light 125gr load is 39gr gives me roughly same point of aim as military surplus rounds
The .310's could be just rattling down the bore hence the poor accuracy.Try wrapping them with teflon plumber tape to fatten them up. It must be wrapped in the direction so that the rifling tightens the wrap or it will shred it and you will be no further off.You may be surprised.
Now that’s an idea I may have to try it. I’m pulling some x39 rounds right now as an experiment. If I can get results I will buy the 1000 bullets. Do you think there is any possibility the tape could cause high pressure, or would it just squeeze out if things get too tight?
Many moons back I picked up 100 rounds of Kynoch 577/450 at an auction. This stuff was unique because it was commercially loaded for hunting purposes. Long 500+ grain bullets in heavily crimped brass cases that were Berdan primed.
This stuff was likely pre WWI. The only thing about them that I found to be different than the surplus stuff that was available at the time was that the bullets were PATCHED with a green material. I hadn't seen anything like it before. This is really dating me and the experience.
The PATCHING material was dark green MASKING TAPE. If it wasn't, it certainly looks like present day masking tape.
I haven't tried it with .310 diameter bullets but I have tried it with jacketed 308 diameter bullets in .269, .312 and .323/.329 bores and this spring in my Kropatschek hand loads. It works well on both jacketed and cast lead. I will admit I prefer powder coating the cast lead if I'm only looking for a few thou but the tape is fine otherwise and reduces fouling. There are also several different thickness of tape out there.
Anyway, it works for me and it's fast to apply. Care should be taken to make sure a bit of tape sticks out of the case.
This stuff was likely pre WWI. The only thing about them that I found to be different than the surplus stuff that was available at the time was that the bullets were PATCHED with a green material. I hadn't seen anything like it before. This is really dating me and the experience.
The PATCHING material was dark green MASKING TAPE. If it wasn't, it certainly looks like present day masking tape.
I haven't tried it with .310 diameter bullets but I have tried it with jacketed 308 diameter bullets in .269, .312 and .323/.329 bores and this spring in my Kropatschek hand loads. It works well on both jacketed and cast lead. I will admit I prefer powder coating the cast lead if I'm only looking for a few thou but the tape is fine otherwise and reduces fouling. There are also several different thickness of tape out there.
Anyway, it works for me and it's fast to apply. Care should be taken to make sure a bit of tape sticks out of the case.
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
40 grains of WC-845 or H4895 works for me. WC-845 is a surplus powder similar to H335.
Well I’m as happy as a pig in mud now. Tried my pull down x39 loads yesterday and I was getting sub 3” groups at 100 yards using the peep sights.
I used the power recovered from the Chinese cases and carefully worked up the charge until I was at 38 grains of this mystery stuff. I’d seen another member here use this load so at least I was not in completely uncharted territory.
I will post pictures of my target shortly.
I’m so glad I can now make cheap 303 ammo!! Just built a steel target stand and I’m going to shoot the heck out of this rifle now.
I used the power recovered from the Chinese cases and carefully worked up the charge until I was at 38 grains of this mystery stuff. I’d seen another member here use this load so at least I was not in completely uncharted territory.
I will post pictures of my target shortly.
I’m so glad I can now make cheap 303 ammo!! Just built a steel target stand and I’m going to shoot the heck out of this rifle now.
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It's not a powder you can buy, but in my experience it is comparable to IMR-4198 in Burn Rate. That said, I'd be reluctant to shoot any more than what's in the 7,62X39 case without a chrony. In a Lee Enfield, I'd stop at 2800 fps, and in a P14, at 3000 fps.
For those without a chrony, I wouldn't recommend going higher than 36.0 grs, although some report 38.0 grs as "safe", and it might well be.
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That’s good advice to use a chrony for working that load up. I’m going to test both 36 and 38 grain loads, if the 36 works nearly as well I will just stick to that. Easy on brass too.
Just ordered from Canada Ammo 1000 pull down bullets, 5 lbs d4198, and primers. Going to have some fun!!
Ok I asked about IMR 4198 in another thread and a couple very helpful members were able to dig up some data. This is copy and pasted from that thread.
Quote Originally Posted by Paul_T View Post
Speer 14 has 123gr Spitz SP
IMR 4198 34.5Min - 38.5Max
COAL tested 2.910
-no loads for 125gr in Speer 14
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...look-up-a-load-for-me?p=14617052#post14617052
Also a big thanks to GreenBob for help with some info.
I’ve settled on 35 grains of D4198 with the pulled Russian bullets. Gives me about 2500 FPS and nice accuracy. Tested in increments up to 38 grains but accuracy was all about the same. Pressure seems very low as primers are not flattened out very much at all, big rounded edges.
Shooting the .303 for half a buck a shot (including brass price). Looks good.
Quote Originally Posted by Paul_T View Post
Speer 14 has 123gr Spitz SP
IMR 4198 34.5Min - 38.5Max
COAL tested 2.910
-no loads for 125gr in Speer 14
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...look-up-a-load-for-me?p=14617052#post14617052
Also a big thanks to GreenBob for help with some info.
I’ve settled on 35 grains of D4198 with the pulled Russian bullets. Gives me about 2500 FPS and nice accuracy. Tested in increments up to 38 grains but accuracy was all about the same. Pressure seems very low as primers are not flattened out very much at all, big rounded edges.
Shooting the .303 for half a buck a shot (including brass price). Looks good.
