differences between the 303 and 308?
- Thread starter TrxR
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I'm assuming you are referring to the .303 British and the .308 Winchester.
1st difference is the case, rimmed for the 303 and rimless for the 308
2nd difference is bullet diameter, .311 for the 303 and 308 for the 308
Ballistically with the same weight bullet they compare favorably.
the 308 however has the advantage that there are many different manufacturers of bullets and many different bullets weights and types from each manufacturer available, thus making it much more versatile than the 303.
Is the 308 superior to the 303? Realistically speaking the 308 has a reputation for accuracy and the vast number of bullet, ammunition and rifle manufacturers that have 308 offerings vs the 303, does , in my mind tip the scales in favor of the 308.
Those are book max loads, but if you are talking actual case capacity, they are very close to identical. I have a P14 [not a Lee-Enfield] in 303 British, and I work up to 308 loads as listed regularly in it, for very similar results. i.e. the 150 grain bullet at about 2900 fps using RL 15 or Vihtavuori N540. Regards, Eagleye.
While I love the .303 British and have taken many moose with it, the .308 Win is a superior design and offers better velocity, accuracy and bullet selection.
I look at it as a case of old tech vs. new tech.
At the same time, most rifles the .303 Brit are found in, cannot safely handle the pressures involved in really hot-loading the cartridge (P-14 is the exception), especially the rear locking Lee-Enfield design. The .308 is a very efficient design and it is generally agreed that it is an inherently accurate cartridge. It is chambered in many modern designs that can handle much higher pressures than the .303 Brit. The rimless design makes loading magazines much simpler as well, when compared to the Brit's rimmed design.
In practical field/hunting terms, however, I would not feel under-gunned toting a nicely sporterized Lee-Enfield. Shots out to 300 yards are no problem with the .303, although I'd prefer to get a little closer if possible. For the part of the moose, deer or caribou...the .303 will kill just as effectively and cleanly as the .30 caliber.
I look at it as a case of old tech vs. new tech.
At the same time, most rifles the .303 Brit are found in, cannot safely handle the pressures involved in really hot-loading the cartridge (P-14 is the exception), especially the rear locking Lee-Enfield design. The .308 is a very efficient design and it is generally agreed that it is an inherently accurate cartridge. It is chambered in many modern designs that can handle much higher pressures than the .303 Brit. The rimless design makes loading magazines much simpler as well, when compared to the Brit's rimmed design.
In practical field/hunting terms, however, I would not feel under-gunned toting a nicely sporterized Lee-Enfield. Shots out to 300 yards are no problem with the .303, although I'd prefer to get a little closer if possible. For the part of the moose, deer or caribou...the .303 will kill just as effectively and cleanly as the .30 caliber.
I think the .303 can be a pretty darn accurate cartridge.
Here are some 100 yard targets with a Jungle Carbine I used to own. Not benchrest accurate, but good for most hunting aopplications
Put the .303 in a modern bolt action, and I bet we could see some real accuracy!
Here are some 100 yard targets with a Jungle Carbine I used to own. Not benchrest accurate, but good for most hunting aopplications
Put the .303 in a modern bolt action, and I bet we could see some real accuracy!
Northman999
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I have both and love 'em both, but have not been able to totally duplicate Eagleye's ability to get the 303 British to fully match the performance of a .308. For hunting purposes however, they are so similar (50 - 100 fps difference in my experience) that nobody will ever know the difference. Honestly though, there's a reason nobody chambers factory rifles for 303 Brit anymore - one being that the 308 win will do anything the 303 can, just a bit better, and with more common components and (ususally) out of more reliable rifles. And brass life in typical 308's is going to be much better than in typical 303's.
It's more about the rifles they come chambered in than the cartridges. Both will kill any game you care to hunt, but you won't find a modern commercial hunting rifle in .303 British.
"...the make is of a .303..." A rifle? Most common are No. 1 Mk III and No. 4 Mk I Lee-Enfield.
"...the make is of a .303..." A rifle? Most common are No. 1 Mk III and No. 4 Mk I Lee-Enfield.
Out of my P14 rifle with a 26 inch Shilen barrel, I can drive 174 Sierras to 2730 fps and 180's to nearly 2700. Just like a 308. Case shape has no measurable effect on performance. Bullet choices are limited in 303 but as luck would have it, all bullets which are available work very well at 303 velocities.
Having said that, the 308 is, far and away, the most practical of the two. The availabilty of a plethora of bullet and ammunition types for use in the equally abundant and varied rifletypes and makes, means the 308 is something it makes sense to own. Regards, Bill
Having said that, the 308 is, far and away, the most practical of the two. The availabilty of a plethora of bullet and ammunition types for use in the equally abundant and varied rifletypes and makes, means the 308 is something it makes sense to own. Regards, Bill
The Finnlanders work with the Russian 7.62x54 and a 308 version,7.62x53.These are rimmed cartridges very much like our old 303,from the same era. They claim the 7.62x53 is more accurate than the 308Winchester !! Since we don't have .313 match bullets,we can't really say if the 303 is less accurate.
