heavier .303 British rounds
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
The 215gr 303Br bullet weight brings back memories. Living in the B.C. interior in the early 60's, when I first got my intro to big game hunting, Dad and I were using Simpon-Sears 'sporterized' Lee Enfields and the ammo choice for Moose was the 215gr C.I.L. or Dominion loads.
I remember that. Real men used the 215 gr stuff, because "it hit a lot harder."
Ted
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I remember that. Real men used the 215 gr stuff, because "it hit a lot harder."
Ted
That point in time was the beginning of the 'learning curve' for me and was what I used on my first two Moose, both of which were under the 50 yrd mark. As I recall, in Wells at that time, that ammo was going for $3.25/box. A few years later, when there was a little more cash available, Dad got an '06 and I picked up a 308 Norma Magnum. The price difference in ammo amounted to a real shock. $3.25 for the 303Br ammo jumped to $8.10 for the 308 Norma!!
Sorry for the thread hijack. Got a little carried away with the 'trip down memory lane'.Well - The kicker was that ammo was considered to be expensive back in the day. I can recall getting my uncles 303 and ammo after he gave up hunting back in the early 70's. He liked 303's because he was a vet.
He gave me the box of 10 rounds made by Cogswell and Harrison, with a price tag somewhere around 2$. He apologized for the partial count of 8 intact rounds in the box. He had used one for sighting in, and the other to harvest his moose.
He gave me the box of 10 rounds made by Cogswell and Harrison, with a price tag somewhere around 2$. He apologized for the partial count of 8 intact rounds in the box. He had used one for sighting in, and the other to harvest his moose.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Yes, it definitely seemed to be expensive to me at the time. Had quite the impact on the cash reserves from my after school jobs. Put a damper on any excessive range time that's for sure.
Just wanted to say thanks all again for all the info and the stories too. Exactly what I was hoping to find. my grandfather isn't around anymore to ask. so I need people like you.
Andy that thread is excellent, I did a cursory search but didn't look close enough I guess.
Andy that thread is excellent, I did a cursory search but didn't look close enough I guess.
Question to the OP ....... Why not just use 174s or 180s in a 303?
I certainly get wanting to use heavy bullets for nostalgia sake. I have a good supply of 175gr RNs for my 7x57, but also know that for practical reasons, a good 150 - 160gr (that is much easier to source) would be a better choice. If I didn't have those 175s, that's what I would use.
I certainly get wanting to use heavy bullets for nostalgia sake. I have a good supply of 175gr RNs for my 7x57, but also know that for practical reasons, a good 150 - 160gr (that is much easier to source) would be a better choice. If I didn't have those 175s, that's what I would use.
Better how? How are you defining better?
As implied by my question, I can't find any 200's or 215's, and I don't hand-load yet, so I am already using 150's and 180's today.
As stated by multiple people here, the 215g is probably one of the more accurate loads out of a .303 - and my personal experience, having shot the last 215's in my family's possession about 15 years ago.
compared to 150 or 180, heavier bullets may have similar or less energy, but much has been written about a heavier bullet moving more slowly creating better hunting results. thats if you left it well enough alone at a traditional ~2200fps loading.
And last, my complete idea was to load a 215g projectile with .308 type pressures, relying on the stout P14 action, and get better than typical .303 performance, though that seems like it won't work. the goal there being to see if better terminal performance was possible with a heavier projectile and more velocity.
Better? ..... Better selection of bullets which will be easier to find and cheaper. With a better selection comes a better chance of finding an accurate load. 150 - 160gr bullets in my 7x57 are still heavy for caliber but would offer a slightly higher velocity. Those same benefits would apply for your 303.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not all about high velocity. There isn't a magnum in the safe right now, but do have a 300H&H in the works which is hardly high velocity. I mostly do load heavy for caliber bullets in everything I own. The 300 will see 180s, the 7x57 175s, the 280 160s. Even my 22-250 gets 70gr Speers. Saying that, unless you can find a good supply of heavy bullets to last a while after the load development ends, you would be better off just settling for a 174 or 180gr bullet.
Now this last bit of information, does pull together and make some sense. With the P14 action instead of the std Lee Enfield, you will see some gains in velocity, but it would really depend on what you are hunting in order to see "better terminal performance". I doubt that a deer would tell the diff between a 180 and 215. A moose or large bear on the other hand might.
Yeah mate i load 215gr Woodleighs in my #1 .303 , pretty sweet for close range "big Deer" hunting!!
i find down under theres alot of 150gr factory stuff available and the odd 180 gr stuff from rem and perhaps winchester? but the brands are getting expensive..
all the old 303 stuff got gobbled up some time ago, not that id use it in the Ruger anyhow
i find down under theres alot of 150gr factory stuff available and the odd 180 gr stuff from rem and perhaps winchester? but the brands are getting expensive..
all the old 303 stuff got gobbled up some time ago, not that id use it in the Ruger anyhow
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
A while back I picked up a pair of full length wood 7x57's. One a Zastave and the other, a Lipsey Ruger RSI. At a fairly recent local gun show I couldn't resist three boxes of Federal Classic, 175gr Hi-Shock SPRN that were available for 'bargain basement' price.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have two boxes of the same on hand. Those and the Hornady 174gr RN are or have been my two main 'go to' choices. Lately though, I've thinned out my rifles in 303Br down to just one. I've kept a VERY mint Jungle Carbine with sling and bayonet. The condition and as something to take to the range on occasion are the reasons for keeping it.
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