Factory 303 ammo test chrono Ruger 1

I think most of the factory 303 is pretty anemic. Although could be an oversize bore or worn throat on mine. with hand loads I could never get much past the 2300 fps mark withh a p14 sporter. Wanted more for some longer shots here. Decided 6.5x55 with 156 would drill game just as good and shoot flatter.

Still reload 303 with 150s for my lee speed sporting rifle and cast for milsurps though.
 
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hobophobe said:
I think most of the factory 303 is pretty anemic. Although could be an oversize bore or worn throat on mine. with hand loads I could never get much past the 2300 fps mark withh a p14 sporter. Wanted more for some longer shots here. Decided 6.5x55 with 156 would drill game just as good and shoot flatter.

Still reload 303 with 150s for my lee speed sporting rifle and cast for milsurps though.
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Not sure how hot you can load the 303 british? Maybe a lot hotter in a Ruger no.1 than a Lee Enfield. Friend of mines dad was a big fan and handloader back in the 60's. He passed some 20 years back and my friend found a pile of handloads for 303. All packaged nicely, several boxes marked in red paint FOR P14 ONLY. Must be crowding 30/06 ballistics according to his son. Wish he could run some over a chronograph.
 
Mike Webb said:
Not sure how hot you can load the 303 british? Maybe a lot hotter in a Ruger no.1 than a Lee Enfield. Friend of mines dad was a big fan and handloader back in the 60's. He passed some 20 years back and my friend found a pile of handloads for 303. All packaged nicely, several boxes marked in red paint FOR P14 ONLY. Must be crowding 30/06 ballistics according to his son. Wish he could run some over a chronograph.
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My Ruger single shot safely and accurately runs 150's at 2774 FPS with the particular TSX bullets I am using . I can get higher velocities with good accuracy from some other bullets and powders but the TSX and 4895 is my choice for a hunting bullet and powder.
It is not a factory barrel however.
Cat
 
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Mike Webb said:
Not sure how hot you can load the 303 british? Maybe a lot hotter in a Ruger no.1 than a Lee Enfield. Friend of mines dad was a big fan and handloader back in the 60's. He passed some 20 years back and my friend found a pile of handloads for 303. All packaged nicely, several boxes marked in red paint FOR P14 ONLY. Must be crowding 30/06 ballistics according to his son. Wish he could run some over a chronograph.
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will not even come close to 30-06 stats does not matter what action
 
Mike Webb said:
Not sure how hot you can load the 303 british? Maybe a lot hotter in a Ruger no.1 than a Lee Enfield. Friend of mines dad was a big fan and handloader back in the 60's. He passed some 20 years back and my friend found a pile of handloads for 303. All packaged nicely, several boxes marked in red paint FOR P14 ONLY. Must be crowding 30/06 ballistics according to his son. Wish he could run some over a chronograph.
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P14 i figured I'd be able to get more than I was. Maybe she was to worn. Easy to push 150s into the 2650 range, basically it had 300 savage ballistics.

But my 6.5 swede with 140s and 156s will do the same so I ditched the ole p14.
 
iron cat said:
My Ruger single shot safely and accurately runs 150's at 2774 FPS with the particular TSX bullets I am using . I can get higher velocities with good accuracy from some other bullets and powders but the TSX and 4895 is my choice for a hunting bullet and powder.
It is not a factory barrel however.
Cat
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Like I said crowding 30/06 territory. Buddy says 2774 with 150 grain bullets and could get higher.
 
Mike Webb said:
Like I said crowding 30/06 territory. Buddy says 2774 with 150 grain bullets and could get higher.
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I do not consider 2774 with a 150 into 3006 territory, it certainly is approaching the realm of the 308 though .
My barrel is also a 26" as opposed to the normal 22" of most 308's
I have four leads right off the top of my head that are right around 3,000FPS with a 150 in the 3006, and one of them is a Barnes
Cat
 
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In a modified P14 with a 26" custom barrel, I was able to get 174 grain bullets going 2750 fps. 180's would do 2700. Definitely far too hot for a lee Enfield but not for a Ruger. Pressures are, of course, well above SAAMI. Rimmed cases handle high pressures remarkably well in a strong action.
When I decided to barrel my own Number One to 303, I decided to chamber it for the 303 Epps. This way I can't accidentally slip a hot load into the Lee Enfield.
 
Leeper said:
In a modified P14 with a 26" custom barrel, I was able to get 174 grain bullets going 2750 fps. 180's would do 2700. Definitely far too hot for a lee Enfield but not for a Ruger. Pressures are, of course, well above SAAMI. Rimmed cases handle high pressures remarkably well in a strong action.
When I decided to barrel my own Number One to 303, I decided to chamber it for the 303 Epps. This way I can't accidentally slip a hot load into the Lee Enfield.
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yeah nice thats a pretty perfect combo! a number 1 in the Epps!
ive heard the case life increase dramatically? it wouldnt be out of the options for my number 1 down the track--
 
In a front locking action, there is virtually no difference in case life. case capacity is increased by a little over 10%.
 
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