32 cal (.312 diam.) Hornady 85 gr HP/XTP in .303 Brit.?

[gerardjohnson]

Has anyone tried the 32 cal. (.312 diameter) Hornady 85 gr HP/XTP bullet in a .303 British?

 

[Ike]

Hi Gerry,
I have tried about 5 of them through my No 5, they go bang but poor accuracy, I have heard they can be made to work well just haven't had the time to find a good load.
Cheers

 

[ben hunchak]

pistol bullets in a rifle

Why?

 

[Ardent]

Why?

-Varminting (explosive expansion)

-Reduced recoil loads

-Reduced loads with regard to muzzle blast

...these are just a few reasons off the top of my head, there's a ton of good reasons. I'd like to give this a go, I think a powder like 'Lil Gun would be good for this application, with the bullet around 2000fps.

 

[gerardjohnson]

Why?, because it's available. Several at my club use it with 35 grains of 4895. I tried it and get blackened cases but recoil like a .22. It's fairly accurate in some rifles. I'm timid about fooling around with loads that I can't find in a manual but this bullet does seem to have potential as a plinker.

 

[Hitzy]

for range plinking, you can get bulk 123g Hornady (.310) FMJ's that shoot pretty good in most .303's. $15/100 from higginson's.

 

[catnthehatt]

Has anyone tried the 32 cal. (.312 diameter) Hornady 85 gr HP/XTP bullet in a .303 British?

I've got some loads for chickens that my father made years ago.
The are 32S&W bullets with 4895 powder, not sure of the charge however.
They work well.
Cat

 

[prosper]

Or run 'em through a .308 sizer/lube die (yes jacketed bullets can be sized. Use plenty of lube), and shoot 'em in your 308/30-06/etc.

 

[hs4570]

85 gr. (.312) Hornady hp

Found this in "Archived" pages..........have had some success with 71 gr. fmj (.312) at about 3000 fps..........so loaded up some with 85 gr. Hornadys last week........

#4 Longbranch 1943...........303 EPPS.. "Sporter".........3 x9 Bushnell , B square mount .

LOAD DATA is for .303 British........1960's Speer manual.. 100gr bullet

All loads shot at 75 yds as preliminary testing only....

37.0 gr Imr4198............2shots/.50 in. 3rd 1.5 in. group...no chrono readings.
38.0 gr Imr4198............3 shots/1.75 in.......2935, 3015, 2959, fps
39.0 gr Imr4198............2 shots/1.0 in./3rd to 2.0 in....2970, 3093,3041, fps.
40.0 gr Imr4198............2 shots..touching/3rd wouldnt chamber, 3157,3160 fps.

H335 loads

45.0 gr H335............2 shots touch/ 3rd 2.0 inch away..2768,2748,2761 fps.
46.0 gr H335............2 shots /0.60 in. 3rd 1.0 inch away....no readings
47.0 gr H335............1.75 in. 3 shot group.........2930,2981,2976, fps
************************************************************

Bluedot powder... no fillers used.....THESE were NOT loads anywhere in any manual .......your useage implys consent to the usual risks with using pistol powders in rifle cases...

16.0 gr Bluedot......2 shots touch..3rd makes it 1.75 in...no readings
17.0 gr Bluedot......2 shots touch..3rd makes it 0.75 in group....no readings
18.0 gr Bluedot......2 shots 1.0 in 3rd makes it 2.75 in...no readings
19.0 gr Bluedot......3 shots. 2 shots touch. 3rd = 0.50 group, @2435,2482,2439fps
20.0 gr Bluedot......2 shots 0.50 ...3rd @1.25 in group...no readings
21.0 gr.Bluedot......2 shots touch...3rd @ 1.25 in. grp. 2519,2588,2474 fps.

..........have been told by several riflemen that my 3rd shot delivery is entirely lacking with this rifle........

If you feel any of this information is unsafe.....don't use it !!!!

hs4570.......your mileage may vary

 

[Workin Man]

There are loads listed for this bullet at 303british.com . If I recall right, it says they won't feed from the mag.

 

[Dean C]

303 bullets

Sierra makes 125 gr bullets, i shoot them almost 3000 fps and still have great accuracy. Also i think Speer sells a 125 gr bullet as well but have never tried them out. if you have good luck with the 85's drop me a line and let me know.Dean.C