Getting started for .303

TargetAcquired

TargetAcquired

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Well, it's a really fun rifle to shoot, but expensive to feed - time I get into reloading I guess.

I don't want the GM of reloading equiopment, but I don't want to start with the Rolls Royce either - can someone suggest some decent equipment for a reloading newb that won't break the bank right off the hop. I'm happy to upgrade down the road if/when I get more into it, but I'd like to test the waters before I jump in feet first. A good friend of mine gave me a lee loader kit when I told him I bought an Enfield - he had 3 of them, in the box with all the papers, but I can see right away that if I want to reload even a day's worth of shooting, this set will be a pain to use.
 
The Lee 50th Anniversary kit and Lee dies work fine for me. The kit is around $150 and the die set $40-$50 ish, depending where you go.
Not a huge investment and if you decide you don't have the time or patience for reloading you can always flog it on the EE here.

I would recommend getting a decent quality digital scale though- way faster and will save you squinting at tiny graduations for hours.

h ttp://leeprecision.com/50th-anniversary-breech-lock-challenger-kit.html (remove space from http to fix link)
 
Thanks Zippy - $150 for all that stuff looks like a worthy buy. From the description, is looks like it comes with a scale - are you suggesting that I should have an additional digital scale? The scale this comes with has the tiny graduations that I don;t want to squint at?
I have one that measures 0.01g - is that sensative enough, or would I need one of the jewellery ones that goes to 0.001g.
 
Before you buy anything, slug the barrel. Lee-Enfield barrels can vary from .311" to .315" and still be considered ok. Over .315" the barrel is shot out. Hammer a cast .30 cal bullet or suitably sized lead fihingsinker through the barrel and measure it with a micrometer. Most commercial bullets are .311" or .312". Not so good through a bigger barrel.
Then go look into one of the beginner's kits. Give you everything you need less dies and shell holder.
 
recipe I use for .303 British reloads is 40.0 grains of IMR4895 powder with Hornady 174gr FMJ/BT Bullets & any standard rifle primer. I've used these reloads on several different Lee Enfield Rifles & Ross Rifles & found that overall they work pretty well in all of the rifles. (note- standard "CYA" warning, use recipe @ own risk)
 
I use a lee-loader hand kit. .311 150gr sst bullets and H-4895 powder. With the 2.8cc dipper it gives me just over 2500 fps and is close to moa accurate. That is in both my Paki no4 Mk2 and my Maltby No4 mk1/2 PH sporter.
 
Loading 303 for the enfield is quite a bit of fun. And once you start casting the fun increases exponentially!

I started off with Hornady .312 jacketed bullets. But once I started casting, there was so much mmore to the rifle. Like you I started with the intention to just save money...and it just took off from there.

Zippy's advice is good. The scale, I would change for....a better scale. It's not that I don't like the digital things, but for starters, I would recommend getting a nice beam scale.
 
I received my 303Brit loading components today, going to load with lee 50th.

I reload many other calibers but starting 303 tomorrow on lee 50th, the lee is the first press i purchased and i still use it for new (to me) rifle calibers.

I agree with sunray, slug the barrel before spending money on bullets and agree with zippy on scale.
 
TargetAcquired said:
Thanks Zippy - $150 for all that stuff looks like a worthy buy. From the description, is looks like it comes with a scale - are you suggesting that I should have an additional digital scale? The scale this comes with has the tiny graduations that I don;t want to squint at?
I have one that measures 0.01g - is that sensative enough, or would I need one of the jewellery ones that goes to 0.001g.
Click to expand...

The Lee kit is a good start. Got one on sale at Cabelas for $99! My biggest issue was I couldn't get really accurate measurements with the scale. My Lyman is a lot easier to use and I've recently acquired a Frankfort Armoury digital scale for about $50. If you get serious you'll want to upgrade some of the other components as well. Like I said, a good place to START. I've had good experiences with my Lyman and RCBS reloading products as well. Price point on Lyman isn't too bad, RCBS is costlier but mostly pretty nice stuff.
 
smpmaint said:
recipe I use for .303 British reloads is 40.0 grains of IMR4895 powder with Hornady 174gr FMJ/BT Bullets & any standard rifle primer. I've used these reloads on several different Lee Enfield Rifles & Ross Rifles & found that overall they work pretty well in all of the rifles. (note- standard "CYA" warning, use recipe @ own risk)
Click to expand...


x2 for this load (my target load also, @ 3.065" OAL with this config)
 
Ok, just to be clear - the kit we're talking about is everything I'll need tool-wise, less dies.

As I mentioned, a buddy gave me one of these - I opened it and read the papers, but I've done nothing else with it so far - does this contain the dies I need, or should I go out and get something else?

http://2.bp.########.com/-2raz8MMBrt4/TamKTN22__I/AAAAAAAACRQ/ynAIqQyn6M4/s1600/blog%252B003.JPG

Not my picture, but the box kit he gave me is similar.

Again, sorry for the grade 2 questions - I keep my eyes sharp by shooting rimfire for the most part, and my big rifle stuff is reloaded by a friend of the family who does the chore for a lot of us. Since he already does so much, I'm not going to burden him with this and thought it would be prudent if I learned how to make dinner for the girls myself.
 
Also, is there a forum sponsor that would be recommended for buying powder, primer, and projectiles? I can certainly source them on my own, but if I can provide some support internally, then I will.
 
I've never used a Lee loader for .303 Brit but will say this is the slowest way possible to reload.
Nothing wrong with it- it'll take the most time, that's all.

The Lee universal 3 jaw chuck with spinner stud is a fast and inexpensive way to trim cases and
will not allow the brass to slip out, when properly tightened. I'd recommend that
over the shellholder style brass holder for trimming.
ALWAYS measure your case length after resizing to determine if the case needs to be trimmed or not.

h ttp://leeprecision.com/3-jaw-chuck.html

h ttp://leeprecision.com/case-spinner-stud.html
 
No, I will get a press and do it that way, I was just asking if I can use the dies that came with the Lee Loader in the press.

Anyway, I'm placing a few orders now and will get started soon.
 
TargetAcquired said:
No, I will get a press and do it that way, I was just asking if I can use the dies that came with the Lee Loader in the press.
Click to expand...

No,you can't.
The Lee Loader doesen't use conventional dies - what you have is the whole kit there to reload with. The brass is just neck sized,essentially,so no full-length dies are in the kit.
 
If you're in the market for dies I'd say buy the Lee deluxe die set. It contains a FL sizing die, neck sizing die, dead length bullet seating die, shell holder and scoop. I think I paid $45 for my set and it contains every die you'd ever want.

Necksizing is a good idea with .303 British as the chamber specs on Enfields can be sloppy and case failures can be a common thing if you are FL sizing your brass.

As for bullets I'm using hornaday .312 RN bullets in my Ross, a no1 Mk.3 and my longbranch. My Ross and longbranch both have .311 bores and my no1 has a .314 bore. The bullets work great for all of them.
 
TargetAcquired said:
Ok, just to be clear - the kit we're talking about is everything I'll need tool-wise, less dies.

As I mentioned, a buddy gave me one of these - I opened it and read the papers, but I've done nothing else with it so far - does this contain the dies I need, or should I go out and get something else?

http://2.bp.########.com/-2raz8MMBrt4/TamKTN22__I/AAAAAAAACRQ/ynAIqQyn6M4/s1600/blog%252B003.JPG

that right there is ALL you need to make fine ammo

there have been some serious competitions won with ammo loaded using the LeeWhackEm dies! Remember, they may be one at a time slow, but they are inline seaters and only neck size, so the ammo is a fine fit for the gun that shot it last.

use an O-ring on the brass to fire it the first time.
lee data keeps the pressures down, so you should be good for several reloads before needing any Full Length resize.

Best thing is you can load ammo anywhere with your take along kit. Leave the hammer at home, and use a small chunk of firewood.
Click to expand...
 
The Lee loader works great and with a little practice you can get going pretty quick. Its actually faster than using a single stage press. You can't put the dies in your press though. The Lee beam scale works great for me, it has been very accurate. Its very sensitive so you can't get rammy and hamfisted with it lol. Always use the poise lock and make sure the counterweight is not rubbing the base. If you're going to use the Lee loader make sure you're using your own brass or brass that will chamber in your rifle. As mentioned, LEs can have pretty sloppy chambers and they can vary a lot. This is a general rule for neck sizing. Neck sizing is your best option for both accuracy and brass life. The Lee loader and collet neck sizing die work the brass very little. The dippers can work well with stick powders and good technique but weighing each charge and working up a load will net best results. Its a little more time consuming but worth it in the end.
 
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