Does anyone have some data on reloading 303 British with IMR 4227 powder ? I have looked on line but not found any info , I am loading a Hornady 150 grain bullet ( PSP) and using CCI 200 primer , starting load would be great or any info ................thanks Joe
Help with handload for 303 British ?
- Thread starter joe.l
- Start date
Wrong powder for jacketed bullets. Works well with lead bullets.
Not correct.
You can use any cast bullet load with a jacketed bullet of the same weight. The cast bullet loads act at pressures well below the strength of any action, including a Lee Enfield, and any pressure increase due to it being a jacketed bullet is not very large.
The first question should be: is it to be shot in a Lee Enfield? P14? Ruger No. 1?
Furthermore, with the dearth of 303 Brit loads that are published, you can use 308 Win cast loads (even jacketed loads in a strong action lke the P14 or Ruger No. 1), as their case capacities and bore diameters are very close. In fact the 303 has slightly more case capacity and a slightly larger bore diameter and that lowers pressure below what that load would produce in a 308 Win.
Here are suggested starting and max loads for the 303 Brit with a 150 gr jacketed bullet with IMR-4227 (from the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook 4th edition pg 149):
1. 18.7 grs - 1710 fps - 14.2K psi; and
2. 25.5 grs - 2177 fps - 25.1K psi.
Or anything in between.
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Not sure why I got the "not correct" quote. I made no claims other than my understanding from the reading I have done on reloading the .303 , mostly on Milsurps.com, and the list of powders I have gathered for 150 and 180gr jacketted bullets. IMR 4227 is not on that list. As a novice reloader I make no claims to be proven incorrect or correct..... but all the reading I have done only mentions the IMR 4227 for cast loads..... that's not me saying it can only be used for cast loads. Big difference there because I in truth have no idea LOL
What I can say is that as a novice reloader , in my researching powders in these scarce times I realized that there are a crap load of powders that can be used with .303brit Jacketted bullets
Alliant : reloader 10x, and RL15
Accurate : 2230,2460,2495,2520,2700,4064,4350
Hodgdon : BLc-2, CFE223, H335, H414, H4350, H4895, Hybrid 100V, Varget
IMR : 8208XBR, 3031,4064,4166,4320,4350,4451,4895
Vhitavouri : N135, N140, N540,N160
Winchester : 760, Staball 6.5
I am sure that list is not complete but just shows the OP that there are other options that might be more suitable for the actual bullet he is reloading for.
Ok - I just have a different view of things.
There are many reasons why someone might want to use a "non-standard" powder, and when people pose a question like the OP did, I'm inclined to answer if I can, not suggest they use something else.
The real benefit to answering is that cast bullet load data is useful not only for cast bullets, but is also a source for jacketed loads as well, should someone want a reliable sub-sonic, or low pressure and powder thrifty load, don't have the more popular powders, or just want to try something new.
When I suggested that the pressure for jacketed bullets is a bit higher than for cast, I was taking the safe side, as there is quite a bit of evidence that pressure is in fact lower with jacketed than for cast, which seems counter-intuitive. Bullet "fit" (cast are often quite "fat"), lack of obturation, shorter bearing surface lengths and the fact that gilding material is actually quite "slippery", are suggested reasons for that.
There are many reasons why someone might want to use a "non-standard" powder, and when people pose a question like the OP did, I'm inclined to answer if I can, not suggest they use something else.
The real benefit to answering is that cast bullet load data is useful not only for cast bullets, but is also a source for jacketed loads as well, should someone want a reliable sub-sonic, or low pressure and powder thrifty load, don't have the more popular powders, or just want to try something new.
When I suggested that the pressure for jacketed bullets is a bit higher than for cast, I was taking the safe side, as there is quite a bit of evidence that pressure is in fact lower with jacketed than for cast, which seems counter-intuitive. Bullet "fit" (cast are often quite "fat"), lack of obturation, shorter bearing surface lengths and the fact that gilding material is actually quite "slippery", are suggested reasons for that.
sorry andy, i wasn't refuting you are trying to argue.
Just learning like the OP and I appreciate what you posted.
I know a lot of folks are having a tough time finding the "usual" powders associated with common bullet/cals these days. Most shops are sold out of those common powders or when they have them they are very pricey. I been finding that while shops may not have the commonly used stuff, many have less commonly used powders still in stock.
Managed to find a few pounds of H335 at the 48.99 a pound at the local shop and hope to work up a load with 180gr prvi. I have Varget and 3031 but i want to save those for other loads.
I guess there is 2 threads on this topic?
bearhunter laid down some interesting info in the other thread.
Just learning like the OP and I appreciate what you posted.
I know a lot of folks are having a tough time finding the "usual" powders associated with common bullet/cals these days. Most shops are sold out of those common powders or when they have them they are very pricey. I been finding that while shops may not have the commonly used stuff, many have less commonly used powders still in stock.
Managed to find a few pounds of H335 at the 48.99 a pound at the local shop and hope to work up a load with 180gr prvi. I have Varget and 3031 but i want to save those for other loads.
I guess there is 2 threads on this topic?
bearhunter laid down some interesting info in the other thread.
24.2 grains of 4227 is where I'm at. .314 , 215grn GC from jet bullets. Good accuracy from what I have seen sighting in my PH no4,mk2. 200 yard gong hits pretty consistently on all of my full dress enfields with Irons. Economical shooting! Still noisy with recoil so more fun than mouse fart loads.. Haven't needed dacron. Standard LR primers
