I have a number of Enfields in .303 all are in great condition, barrels seem to be in good codition rifling etc... do I need to worry about the bullet diameter I choose for best accuracy? I noticed a range for .303 bullets, in .311, .312, or .313. Which is the best to use? Does it matter? Thanks for your help!
Enfield Bullet / Barrel Question
- Thread starter tjdrent
- Start date
Generally The No1MkIII's III*'s etc you should use the larger bullet, Some bores can be worn a bit. The No 4's can have a smaller dia but that is not always the way they are. The .312 is a good place to start for copper jacketed bulets, lead use a .314 dia. If you are wondering, slug your bore and measure it.
I have had a few No 4's that have been able to shoot .308 bullets fine, but they were in really good shape. I have also had a few Pattern 14 rifles that needed larger dia bullets .314". So it depends on the rifle and what it has seen and it's age.
Peter
I have had a few No 4's that have been able to shoot .308 bullets fine, but they were in really good shape. I have also had a few Pattern 14 rifles that needed larger dia bullets .314". So it depends on the rifle and what it has seen and it's age.
Peter
Pblatzz has great advise. If using cast I would recommend as large a diameter as the chamber and throat of the barrel will allow. In jacketed I will use the .311" in my very best barrels. I think that some jacketed are produced in .312" to .314" but I have no experience with them. In jacketed the Sierra Match King .311 is really hard to beat in my rifles. Dave
Go to hornady's site they have some different sizes that will atleast get you going.
.312 303 CAL 150 GR SP p/n 3120
.312 303 CAL 174 GR RN p/n 3130
or Speer ,they have two bullets weights but the are .311
or
Marstar @ http://www.marstar.ca/ammo-etc/rl-frontier-lg.shtm
They have a .311 bullet.
Try Hornady first wit hte .312"
.312 303 CAL 150 GR SP p/n 3120
.312 303 CAL 174 GR RN p/n 3130
or Speer ,they have two bullets weights but the are .311
or
Marstar @ http://www.marstar.ca/ammo-etc/rl-frontier-lg.shtm
They have a .311 bullet.
Try Hornady first wit hte .312"
Here's whet I do and I have read a few other do as well.
** Very Important - be very careful, NEVER use metal tools to do this. Very Important...!
First get a "soft lead" bullet that is the correct bore dia. I said soft for a reason. and no gas checks.
You will need some wooden dowel for this, longer than the barrel and as close to the bore dia. as possible. Cut the down into 4-5" lengths, all of it. Taper the first piece to be 70-80% of the bore dia. You will use this to tap the bullet into the muzzle. The taper will allow the bullet to flow back and not mushroom over top of the muzzle.
It will not go to waste, this become a useful and valuable tool
You will need a hammer, A combo-cast (a hammer designed not to mark nor bounce back) hammer is good or a plastic hammer will do.
Seat the bullet down the muzzle with the hammer untill it is flush with the bore. Use the dowels to tap the bullet down the bore until it falls out. You will need to feed new 4-5” lengths of dowel as you go.
You will need a vernier and a micrometer to measure the dia. on the grooves and the rings.
I will follow up on this topic but if anyone else has more to add, please do.
Hammer a cast .30 calibre bullet or lead fishing sinker of an appropriate size through the barrel using a brass rod(no bits of dowel required) and a plastic mallet. Measure the bullet/sinker with a micrometer or vernier, then use the closest bullet diameter you can. You only care about the diameter across the lands. That'd be the largest diameter of the bullet/sinker.
Lee-Enfield barrels can measure between .311" and .314" and still be considered ok. If the bullet/sinker measures larger than .315", the barrel is shot out.
Most factory bullets are .311" or .312". Steve at .303british.com is making 200 grain .313" and .314" jacketed bullets.
Lee-Enfield barrels can measure between .311" and .314" and still be considered ok. If the bullet/sinker measures larger than .315", the barrel is shot out.
Most factory bullets are .311" or .312". Steve at .303british.com is making 200 grain .313" and .314" jacketed bullets.
No...but if you are using cast, you will need a Lyman "m" die or a Lee "Universal expanding die" to bell case mouths consistently so you don't shave lead. Do not bell too much or your brass won't last. Pistol and str. sided rifle cals. die sets come with a exp./bell die, the .303 does not.
I use "00" Buckshot, which is pure lead and .330" diameter to slug .300, .303 and 8mm Barrels. I use a similar method to Pblatzz, but do not put the dowelling in in sections, once I have started the slug in the bore. I have 3 - P14 rifles, and they measure: .3126, .3128, and .3125. I bought some of Steve Redgwell's Mk 9 - 200 grain bullets, sized to .313, and it shoots very well in all these. Surprisingly, the next best shooting bullet in them is Sierra's 180 grain spitzer, which is usually right around .311" Another great shooting bullet in the P14's I own is Hornadys 150 grain spitzer, a .312 bullet. Go figure! Proves that barrels are fairly forgiving as to diameter of the bullet. I have a supply of Norma RN 180's that one rifle likes, but the other two hate, apparently. Note the 180 Power Point from Winchester. It does not shoot in any of them. The Speer 180RN and the Hornady 174RN are OK bullets, but not outstanding in any of these rifles. You just have to try em out to find out what works. Regards, Eagleye.
