Favourite Power in 303 British - other than Varget?

[wasa]

My current deer/bear load is Varget powder under 150gr Hornady or Speer projectiles in both my sporterized P14 and No 4 MK1. They are scoped, and I can fairly easily group about 1" at 100 yards.

But, like many other people, my supply of Varget is almost out, and I've started to try other powders (that I have been able to find). Experimenting with IMR 3031, Alliant Re15, and even AA2700. All are providing me good groups at 100 and I believe all will be good for my future hunts.

So, this got me thinking - what are other people's favourite reloading powder in 303 British for hunting? Moose, deer, bear - 150gr, 174gr, whatever.

And, if you are using a ball powder like AA2700, are you using a magnum primer like Speer recommends?

Thanks!

 

[Gordon M]

hodgson ,414 bcl2 are a couple I like with 150 gr bullets ,,,

 

[iron cat]

IMR 4895 has been my goto for several years now with 150 grain TSX's for my .303 Brit
Cat

 

[Auggie Doggie]

I've had good luck with IMR4320 and 174gr. bullets, but I believe that it is now discontinued.

Auggie D.

 

[fwm]

IMR4064 has always been my go to with 150gr bullets.

 

[peterdobson]

VihtaVuori N140 and N540 with Hornady 174 gr. FMJBT.

 

[redbirddog]

Reloader 15 is very good

 

[trkyhunter]

found some decent loads with cfe223 or win 760 under sierra 180 spitzers.i also was using 4320 but i am saving what i have for my 300 win mag loads

 

[GunsNotPuns]

I go with BL-C(2) under a 174 gn bullet.

 

[jethunter]

I've had good results from 4198, 3031, 4895, 4064, rl15 . You can make most medium speed rifle powders work in a 303.

 

[Eagleye]

My pet loads in my 1910 Ross use: IMR 4320 [discontinued] RL15, Norma 202 and 203B, Vihtavuori N540, Ramshot Big Game.
All shot 174/180 grain bullets sub-moa in my rifle. 180 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter and 4X grains of IMR 4320 will turn in a group
under ½ moa. Dave.

 

[Webley No.5]

I load pretty much all my surplus rounds with 4064. 303 British, 7.62x54r, 7.7x58, 6.5x55, 7x57, 7.92x57. Mostly it’s just because it’s what I had and now I have so many loads worked up I’m not switching.

 

[Suther]

The stuff they put in surplus 7.62x54r.....

 

[downwindtracker2]

A while back, a good while back in fact, I bought a jug of IMR 4064, still using it.

 

[nowarningshot]

Literally in the name. The replacement for the black powder cordite.......303#1.....aka 3031.

 

[bearhunter]

Literally in the name. The replacement for the black powder cordite.......303#1.....aka 3031.

I fully agree, why fix what isn't broken??

IMR3031 and its equivalents have been my go to powders for 303 Brit for 55 years and its always been a consistent as well as predictable performer.

 

[M1-Garand]

The stuff they put in surplus 7.62x54r.....

I use a lot of that as well in most of my milsurps, even use the bullets in .303 British rifles.

 

[wasa]

Literally in the name. The replacement for the black powder cordite.......303#1.....aka 3031.

My quick internet search couldn't find what I recall... that IMR 3031 was designed for the 30-30. Of course, anyone can post anything on the internet!

According to Handloader Magazine "IMR-3031 was one of the illustrious family of “improved military rifle” powders introduced by DuPont in 1934-35, which also included IMR-4227, 4198, 4064 and 4320. In burning rate, IMR-3031 ranked in the middle, with 4227 and 4198 faster and 4064 and 4320 slower." so if it came out in 1934, not sure if it was designed for the 303 British, the 30-30, or just as an inter-war powder to try and get military contracts.

I always find it fascinating to learn about the history of different powders.

 

[renton83]

I've always used imr 3031 with good results

 

[B]

I have found BL-C(2) and CFE223 to give highest velocities with most bullet weights. There are dozens of powders that work well though. Most I can't think of have been mentioned.