Black Powder .303 / BP Cartridges

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Jacks_username

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Disclaimer: I don't reload...yet :D. This question is mostly asked out of curiosity, not out of real desire to make BP loads of .303.

I was reading about the History of the Lee Enfield and the .303 British Cartridge here http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net, and was curious about handloading .303 with blackpowder, mimicking early loads for the Magazine Lee Metford et al. Does anyone here do it? I know it must be possible... but can it be done with modern cases and primers, or does it require something more like a percussion cap than modern primers?
 
I have reloaded BP for my Martini Metford rifle. I just fill the case to it's fullest with 3F Swiss and top with a jacketed bullet. It shoots better at 100 yards than any of my Lee Enfields. You "MUST" clean properly and thoroughly after every use or you risk permanent damage to your rifle. I use ordinary primers and jacketed bullets. I tried cast projectiles but they would NOT shoot in the MM......they keyholed badly. Apparently the Metford rifling won't stabilize cast as it was designed to stabilze jacketed. Best of luck....Dave PS - where are you? Boy, I can never figure why users here don't add their location.
 
"...can it be done with modern cases and primers..." Yep. Works just fine. Mind you, neither the No. 1 or No. 4 ever used BP. Lee-Metfords did though. Used a 215 grain RN bullet with BP until 1891.
"...they keyholed badly..." Likely undersized or un-lubed bullets. Had a Trapdoor carbine, long ago, that would do the same thing with unlubed cast bullets. I was very new(no Internet then) and didn't know any better. 70 grains of BP with a 405 grain cast bullet, out of a carbine, hurts. Found out later that the carbine load was 55 grains. Made a lovely cloud of white smoke though.
 
IMHO and experience Metford .303" barrels will not shoot cast lead bullets accurately above 1200 fps. Tried various diameters designs and alloys without success. Same loads shot well in Enfield bores. Lead bullets strip in .303" Metford bores above 1200 fps.
 
"...Metford .303" barrels..." They wouldn't in the late 1880's either. Had to do with the rifling. Metford rifling didn't like smokeless powder pressures and heat.
 
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