Hornady 123 gr FMJ 7.62X39 bullets for 303 British

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majormarine

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On the Hodgdon site and the Lee modern reloading 2nd edition manual, they both have 303 British data for the 125 gr jacketed bullets.

now, my question is, can i safely use the EXACT 125 gr data for the 123 gr bullets? :redface:
 
I would. But as with anything, you have to have a feel for your individual rifle and how it performs.

Actually, I plan to try the brand-new 123-grain Barnes Tripleshock in this very application.
 
i just tried a few rounds...bad news...the 7.62x39 bullet has a diameter of .310", but the 303 brit has a diameter of .311". after i seated the bullets, i could pull them out with my fingers and push them in as well.

if i crimp it at the crimp line, it would be too short.

i was also thinking of using these bullets on 7.62x54r, but the die uses the .311" expanding ball as well...

so, i guess i am out of luck! :(
 
Here's some things to try for the 303 Brit (or 7.62x54R):

- deprime the cases, then substitute the decapping rod from the 7.62x39 and F/L size again; or
- put the 303 Brit decapping rod in a drill press, lathe or drill, and reduce its size by a couple of thou. This is permanent of course, but you can buy additional decapping rods from Higginsons or you can live with the additional neck tension you'll have with the larger bullets; or
- buy a 303 Brit Lee Neck Sizer. It can be adjusted for tension, and if still not tight enough, the rod inside can be reduced by a couple of thou; or
- neck size with a 30 cal sizer (F/L or Neck). I'd use 300 WSM F/L sizer.
 
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I load these bullets for the 54r.

I have Lee 54r dies, if you didn't know the Lee dies have a .308 decaper. I however replaced my .308 decaper with a .311 decaper from the .303 dies. The .310 bullets are slightly loose, but I firm that up with a Lee FCD, works fine.

I would use the load data for the 123 grain, its almost identical. I suspect this so called 123 vs 125 grain bullet is the same deal as the 147 grain vs the 150 grain for 7.62 NATO, its just the allowable manufacturing tolerance.

Craig
 
for the 54R, if you crimp the rounds at the crimp line on the bullets, it gives you a 2.755" COL, and the Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Ed. book lists a min COL of 2.715". so, i guess it's okay?

may i ask what kind of powder you used and how much did you use?

thx!


Craig67 said:
I load these bullets for the 54r.

I have Lee 54r dies, if you didn't know the Lee dies have a .308 decaper. I however replaced my .308 decaper with a .311 decaper from the .303 dies. The .310 bullets are slightly loose, but I firm that up with a Lee FCD, works fine.

I would use the load data for the 123 grain, its almost identical. I suspect this so called 123 vs 125 grain bullet is the same deal as the 147 grain vs the 150 grain for 7.62 NATO, its just the allowable manufacturing tolerance.

Craig
Click to expand...
 
majormarine said:
may i ask what kind of powder you used and how much did you use?
Click to expand...

I'm loading 56 grains of BL-C2 over a WLR primer. Case is S&B or PP (NNY) whatever falls into my hand while I'm loading.

Longer COL's are ok, its the shorter ones that could cause pressure problems. When I use cannulured bullets, I mostly seat to the cannulure without much worrying, but then again I always begin with the starting loads. The 125 grain Hornady's are pretty short bullets they don't even extend into the case from the neck in 7.62X39, never mind X54r or .303

HTH,

Craig
 
How big is your barrel's ID? A .310" bullet may be too small. Slug the bore.
125 grain data wil lbe fine though. Two grains won't make any difference.
 
We have guys here that claim :rolleyes: they can accurately shoot .308 bullets in a 303. Me, they always keyhole.

sunray is correct though, you should slug your bore, 303's vary wildly examples as big as .318 have been found.

Bullets that properly fit your bore are bound to shoot better.
 
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