A question for you who reload 303 british. What type of dies would be best? I am just starting at reloading and bought Lee RGB dies. Then I heard the brass will last longer if resize with collett type dies. How many loads can a guy expect from the brass in your experience with these different dies? I haven't reloaded any yet,haven't even opened up my dies packaging.
Dies for 303 British.
- Thread starter pdpush
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
With the 303Br, a lot depends on the loads you intend to use, and the chamber of the rifle you are using.
Standard dies, can be used to partial size, and get good life from brass, if you don't push the envelope, and your chamber isn't too large.
That said, the very best brass life is possible with true neck size dies.
Too many variables to say for sure, if they are worth the extra $
Standard dies, can be used to partial size, and get good life from brass, if you don't push the envelope, and your chamber isn't too large.
That said, the very best brass life is possible with true neck size dies.
Too many variables to say for sure, if they are worth the extra $
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
dies
We don't shoot the 303 that much(in spurts), nor do we load it, "hot"; just target loads. That being said, I can't remember buying brass for it, and the brass we have is Dominion, so that tells you how long we've had it. We have a set of rcbs neck sizing dies. Sure the one's you have will be just fine.
We don't shoot the 303 that much(in spurts), nor do we load it, "hot"; just target loads. That being said, I can't remember buying brass for it, and the brass we have is Dominion, so that tells you how long we've had it. We have a set of rcbs neck sizing dies. Sure the one's you have will be just fine.
- Location
- Eastern Ont.
.303 enfields didnt have the highest qaulity chambers.
I personally have the lee pace setter dies that full size
the cases.
you will have better sucess if your brass looks a little funny after fireing.
Stick to starting and midle of the road loads, and brass should last
for several loadings.
I have been loading with Lee collet dies in neighbours P14 & my Enfield and have shot same brass 6 times so far with no problems. Friend at range told me to make a tool or take piece heavy wire and make a 90 deg point end to feel inside of case just ahead of rim about 1/2" where brass shows swelling more so in Enfields than P14 and make sure you feel no cracks, if you feel it DON":T USE THEM ANY MORE THEY WILL SEPERATE AT THAT POINT. most fellows only get 3 to 5 reloads using a full lenght die, I seperated brass and find when using light loads 35gr H4895 is much easyer on brass, with stiffer loads 41.5 & 42 Varget & 174gr bullets, ring on brass ahead of rim is much more noticable. We only shoot to 200 yards a area Milsurp shoots not relly any need for hot loads. With my light load was able to shoot 3/4" to 1" groups at 100 don't think I can shoot any better than that with my old eyes.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Definitely the Lee collet neck die will give you the best brass life.
If you keep your loads at moderate pressures, 4 to 6 firings is quite possible with reg. brass and 6 to 10 with mil spec brass.
For a Lee, I shot alot of Hornady 150gr SP's over H335. Benchmark would be my choice today. The 174gr FMJBT's would also make great bullets.
Keep an eye on bore diameter. Sierra and Speer are narrower bullets. The Hornady is the widest and gives great performance on those 311 and 312 bores.
Enjoy...
Jerry
If you keep your loads at moderate pressures, 4 to 6 firings is quite possible with reg. brass and 6 to 10 with mil spec brass.
For a Lee, I shot alot of Hornady 150gr SP's over H335. Benchmark would be my choice today. The 174gr FMJBT's would also make great bullets.
Keep an eye on bore diameter. Sierra and Speer are narrower bullets. The Hornady is the widest and gives great performance on those 311 and 312 bores.
Enjoy...
Jerry
ipscgraz
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you are going to shoot all the brass out of one rifle try to neck size. I have an RCBS set that is supposed to be adjustable for neck sizing only but I need to take a look at that again (two rifles, selling one.)
As was mentioned earlier, a paper clip bent 90 degrees so you can run the tip of the wire inside the case before loading is a good way to see if you are about to have a separation.
As was mentioned earlier, a paper clip bent 90 degrees so you can run the tip of the wire inside the case before loading is a good way to see if you are about to have a separation.
You don't have to use your Full Length die to size the entire case.
Usually this die is adjusted so it hits the shellholder. This gives a full size to the case. But, if you adjust the die up a few turns, so that the shell holder goes up and down and clears hitting the shell holder by a tenth of an inch, you are sizing the neck but not much of the case body. So long as the ammo is to be used in the same rifle, this is a way to neck size without have a neck die.
If you phone Higginsons in Hawksbury, he can probablys ell you a Lee Collet die. I use them in some calibers and love them.
Failing that, phone Lee Precision in the USA and they will sell you one and send it by mail to your door. Make sure you tell them to send it by mail, not UPS.
Usually this die is adjusted so it hits the shellholder. This gives a full size to the case. But, if you adjust the die up a few turns, so that the shell holder goes up and down and clears hitting the shell holder by a tenth of an inch, you are sizing the neck but not much of the case body. So long as the ammo is to be used in the same rifle, this is a way to neck size without have a neck die.
If you phone Higginsons in Hawksbury, he can probablys ell you a Lee Collet die. I use them in some calibers and love them.
Failing that, phone Lee Precision in the USA and they will sell you one and send it by mail to your door. Make sure you tell them to send it by mail, not UPS.
The selection of dies also depends upon the desire to shoot more than one rifle with the same loads. Neck sizing causes one to dedicate brass to a given rifle, whichh can be a pain if you have several 303's.
Partial resizing to the tightest chamber, as described by Ganderite, is a suitable option for use with more than one rifle. The gap between shell holder and die is about a "toonie", however, you have to check for fit...
Partial resizing to the tightest chamber, as described by Ganderite, is a suitable option for use with more than one rifle. The gap between shell holder and die is about a "toonie", however, you have to check for fit...
