Hunting rounds for .303 British

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rtracer13

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Powell River, BC
Just wondering what you guys use for rounds and what you think of it for performance on various game?

Myself, I'm using a Hornady 174gr accubond SP over 41.5gr of RL15 for deer/bear. Works well on deer, and only so far had a shot at one bear. I think I messed up the shot and didn't hit a vital (had to track it for hours and no signs of bubbling or darkness in the blood. Felt terrible) but have had others that are .303 haters say I'm not using an appropriate calibre for bear. (that I should go at least .308). Since I don't have much field experience with this round on bear, I've yet to build an opinion; With that said though, I do believe based off of my understanding of the ballistics it should be just as fine and I really think it was just me that screwed the pooch on the shot.
 
Well I disagree with your buddy as the .303 is almost the ballistic twin of the .308, in fact the longer mags make the .303 more capable with 200+ gr. bullets. You will note that I didn't claim it was as accurate. I've always found that shoulder shots take game down best, but hey you're not the first to wound a deer.
 
ben hunchak said:
Well I disagree with your buddy as the .303 is almost the ballistic twin of the .308, in fact the longer mags make the .303 more capable with 200+ gr. bullets. You will note that I didn't claim it was as accurate. I've always found that shoulder shots take game down best, but hey you're not the first to wound a deer.
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yah, I will agree that you're more likely to find a rifle in .308 that is more accurate, but he was talking stopping power, as it was if it hit the desired point.
If I was to hazard a guess, I think his opinion has came more from the majority of shooters he's seen with .303B's rather than the calibre itself and .308 is his cool aid :).

What 200+ gr loads are you using out of curiosity?
 
I've been using IMR 4895 for 150's and 180's. I also load some .308 dia 220 gr RN for my dad on the trapline using this powder as well. He really likes that load.

I like the Sierra Gameking 180gr in the 303 British as a very good overall bullet.
 
rtracer13 said:
I do believe based off of my understanding of the ballistics it should be just as fine and I really think it was just me that screwed the pooch on the shot.
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A hit is a hit and a miss is a miss no matter what you're shooting.

As far as the .303 goes, It has been noted on CGN more than a few times that this round has dropped every species of large animals in North America. After testing all posibilities you find your shootin' iron isn't accurate, I suggest a change, but I believe the .303 to be fine for dropping anything.
 
How are you guys shooting medium to full power reloads and not having case head separation? Did you pay a gunsmith to fix your headspace?

I have to literally have the primer sticking out a bit (don't do this) or use dental floss for my stuff to take anything other than pistol powder cast bullet loads.
 
I of course only use cast and when i get my orig. '95 .303 back from the 'smith, I hope to try 220 gr. and 247 gr. bullets.
 
Those must be some pussy ass loads with 247 grain bullets, 1600fps?

I wonder how that would shoot. I have tried the 200 grain round nose cast bullets with A2400 @ 1700fps and they did 3-5 inches @ 100y

Took me 2 years to clean that gun afterwards lol
 
Rocket Surgery said:
How are you guys shooting medium to full power reloads and not having case head separation? Did you pay a gunsmith to fix your headspace?

I have to literally have the primer sticking out a bit (don't do this) or use dental floss for my stuff to take anything other than pistol powder cast bullet loads.
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check the number on your bolt head if its a #1 then try a #2 or #3
 
The hard part is finding a #3 head, and even if you do, it still may not work. It still needs to be probed by a gunsmith unless you have the gauges.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
How are you guys shooting medium to full power reloads and not having case head separation? Did you pay a gunsmith to fix your headspace?

I have to literally have the primer sticking out a bit (don't do this) or use dental floss for my stuff to take anything other than pistol powder cast bullet loads.
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I have been shooting Hornady 150 gr with near full power loads of IMR4895 in my No 4. for several years. I'm at 4 loadings on the 50 round box. No indicators of head separations yet. Similar results on my brothers No 4. However I neck size only. I have seen some guns separate a case head on the first firing with factory ammo. It's largely dependant on the gun I believe, how "generous" the chamber is.
 
Muahaha... Hornady 174gr RN with max loads of H414, not a critter in north america it won't stop with authority...

Also for deer I have had most excellent results with the 150gr sierra spitzers... BOOOOOM flop.

Just gotta hit em in the rite spot ;)
 
mkrainc said:
As far as the .303 goes, It has been noted on CGN more than a few times that this round has dropped every species of large animals in North America. After testing all posibilities you find your shootin' iron isn't accurate, I suggest a change, but I believe the .303 to be fine for dropping anything.
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ABSOLUTELY

Bell used the .303 on elephant when he first got over there, he only went to the 7X57 because he was having pressure problems in the Brit at the temps over there.
Anyone tells you the old Brit ain't big enough for NA game, hit them with it. I killed one of the biggest black bears I ever shot with a 243, just got to put them in the right spot. That was the only flaw in your program, probably could have hit him in the same spot with a .375 and had the same result, lost game is almost never an equip/bullet/energy/caliber problem.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
How are you guys shooting medium to full power reloads and not having case head separation? Did you pay a gunsmith to fix your headspace?

I have to literally have the primer sticking out a bit (don't do this) or use dental floss for my stuff to take anything other than pistol powder cast bullet loads.
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A higher-number bolt head will often - not always - cure the problem. That said, it's getting harder and harder to find them.

Where are you located? There's a gunsmith in Calgary that specializes in LEs - did a wondrous job on mine.

The alternative is handloading. Use dental floss or a rubber grommet pushed down by the rim and thereafter just neck size.
 
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