Closest round to .303?

[Riflechair]

I haven't read any of the other posts but here is what I think.

Using similar bullets weights I would say that the 7.65X53 Mauser is the closest comparable cartridge performance to the .303 British - I am restricting this to factory or unobtainium military surplus ammo.

The spectrum of reloading performance is far too broad and subjective a topic due to action strength of the two different service rifle breeds so I do not include this book of worms in my answer.

 

[Mike Webb]

Bearhunter hit it right on. The .30/40 Krag is an absolute ballistic match for the .303 British even down to the original sporting loads for both 215 grain bullet in the .303 and 220 grain in the Krag.

 

[RememberTheSomme]

What velocities are No4 shooters getting safely out of their .303 with the 174 FMJs? . What loads, if they are not secret recipes are some using?
I chronograph 2510 FPS avg 15 feet from muzzle. That will take on the .308 with similar shaped 165gr anyday of the week and knock the pants off the M-80 round! Doesn't appear as too hot in anyway.
Wow did I just post that, being I always said, " the .308 does it all"

 

[Lee Enfield]

What velocities are No4 shooters getting safely out of their .303 with the 174 FMJs? . What loads, if they are not secret recipes are some using?
I chronograph 2510 FPS avg 15 feet from muzzle. That will take on the .308 with similar shaped 165gr anyday of the week and knock the pants off the M-80 round! Doesn't appear as too hot in anyway.
Wow did I just post that, being I always said, " the .308 does it all"

MkVII ball: 174gr at 2440+-40 fps, thats what all of the No1 HV marked, No4 & No5 sights are calibrated for.

When my shooting buddy decided to recreate the (awesomly accurate) FNB-87 round he pulled the bullets and discovered that they average .314" rather than .311"...

 

[RememberTheSomme]

MkVII ball: 174gr at 2440+-40 fps, thats what all of the No1 HV marked, No4 & No5 sights are calibrated for.

When my shooting buddy decided to recreate the (awesomly accurate) FNB-87 round he pulled the bullets and discovered that they average .314" rather than .311"...

The round i'm using Lee-Enfield is my our Club presidents load for the 174FMJ. I didn't ask what OD the bullets were. He was instructor at British army Sniper school and I have his "copper out" concoction as well. I've never verified MOA at distance but i will say this;
We were shooting at 50 yds as it was first i tried the load. My son was spotting with only our Binocs. First shot center low about 2". second shot he called miss. Ok. third shot miss. I look and say wtf one round on at 50yds from the bench rest come on! I go down look and see a keyhole. I say ok , wtf is this .308 bullets or what. I look beyond at backstop and only see one hole dug in sand I look closer at target and wow, two almost same hole third about .25 . Ok, go back and move the long range peep up a little and whammo three through at about 1 inch high and nearly as tight. I couldn't believe it. I didn't fire anymore but my son was wacking the 200 yd gong with ease, every shot.

When the weather clears up i'll try this load out to 300 yds and see what it will group. That will tell the tale of the 300 yd battle sight MOA.

Maybe its one of those short range MOA teasers! and a let down at 300yds. We will see.