Favourite Power in 303 British - other than Varget?

39gr of H4895 works like a charm in my No4. In my No5 I reduce that to 35gr for plinking at 100y to reduce the recoil to a comfortable level. Varget works very well also. Any of the mid-level burning rate powders will work as Ganderite mentioned. IMR/H4895 is a good powder for reduced loads.
 
I haven't reloaded any .303 yet but have gathered most of the tools and components I think I'll need. Varget, IMR3031 and IMR4895.
I have no1 mkIII type rifles and my desire is to replicate the results I get from federal powershok 180gr hunting loads at the reloading bench.
Seems my powder choices might be more geared towards the 150gr bullets so I'm still researching and threads like this are great.
It's good to read here that there are other powders to consider.
 
Old Lyman manual accuracy loads 150gr/ IMR 4895- 41gr/2400fps 180gr/IMR4320-44gr/2469fps [factory duplication load IMR4895-42.5gr/2433fps] 215gr/IMR4895-39.5gr/2188fps [factory duplication load IMR4895-39.6gr/2183fps]
 
I use 16 grains of 2400 behind a 203g cast bullet

Basically you want to start at 14 grains and keep going up until the outside of your brass doesn't get charcoal-sooty while maintaining good accuracy. It's easy on the brass, especially if you're worried about case head separation, and it's cheap, like how my exgf used to dress when we'd go out.
 
4064 for jacketed.

But right now its 24.2 grains of 4227 behind a 215grn .314 gas checked. Been working those up a bit higher to see if I can get some more velocity and keep my good accuracy.

Economical, but still some noise and recoil. Good accuracy from all of enfields.
 
Thanks for all of this info. I'm surprised at the wealth of choices we have to reload for what I consider Canada's favourite hunting caliber. USA has its 30.06, we have our 303 British.

Didn't notice anyone mentioning magnum primers for ball powders. I use them for my AA2700 loads based on Speer's recommendations (or at least my memory of Speer's recommendation!)
 
Mulletard said:
4064 for jacketed.

But right now its 24.2 grains of 4227 behind a 215grn .314 gas checked. Been working those up a bit higher to see if I can get some more velocity and keep my good accuracy.

Economical, but still some noise and recoil. Good accuracy from all of enfields.
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Now that sounds like a nice load, going to try that one. Thanks for the info, writing that down now lol

When you say good accuracy, do you mean around 3 inch groups?
 
Rocket Surgery said:
Now that sounds like a nice load, going to try that one. Thanks for the info, writing that down now lol

When you say good accuracy, do you mean around 3 inch groups?
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my no4 mk2 PH scoped sporter, I had target setup at 30 yards and it stacked 2 of 4 for quick sight in. The others were around half an inch away. Thats resting on a plastic ammo box. 2 similar groups.

My full dress, no4, no5, no1, and p14 can regularly hit the 200 twelve inch gong with Irons. Never checked groupings. Makes me happy though.

I think you'll like it.
 
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Non-scientifically, and assuming people above didn't double post and I can count....

#1 powder listed : IMR 4064 (9 mentions)
#2 would be IMR 3031 with 6 mentions

then, each with 5 mentions are BCL(2), IMR 4895, IMR 4320, and Alliant Reloader 15.

Thanks to all for your comments! Not sure why, but I note that Accurate Arms/Western Powders are not mentioned much at all. IMR totally dominates with 4 of the top 6 "favourite" powders (again, other than my personal choice, Varget)

(standard disclaimers apply...)
 
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