long range .303 load for service rifle

kevin.303

kevin.303

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anyone have any good loads using the sierra 174 gr matchking? i plan on using my no.1 mk 3 to try service rifle next spring, and am doing load development over the winter.
 
.... I guess the first place to try would be to attempt to duplicate the Service rounds. With the .303, it's main short coming is the ever present "risk" when using reloads, of "Case Separation" which can be reduced, particularly if you use just one rifle and stick to fairly light loads, is to NECK SIZE ONLY. Depends on the rifle and it's chamber dimensions whether this is a practical way to go. Others can chime in, as regards to specific "recipes", as I'm still looking for the elusive Golden Grail of .303 accuracy myself ! .... David K ;)
 
i have had very good luck with the 174 MKs and IMR 4320. ill have to look up the data, but if i remeber correctly , about 43 grains gives 2450 over the crony. they shot very well out of the target and standard #4s ive used them in
 
I've always liked IMR 4320 with this rifle and cartridge. In fact, it's the main powder I use in the .303. As usual, work up from well below 40 grains. Your No. 1 is the weakest of all Lee Enfield actions, so you may max out below the maximum load listed in the book.

Another option is to try to duplicate the old WWI classic military load with the 174. During WWI, DuPont developed a powder called "MR 16", which was actually the precursor of what would eventually be called IMR 3031. They loaded that powder (something like 37.5 grains) with the 174-grain military bullets, and that became the classic .303 military loading. To this day, nearly 100 years later, many people swear by IMR 3031 at something around this charge level with the 174-grain bullet in the .303. I've never tried this load (because I'm very happy with IMR 4320), but I'm sure it would work.
 
If you use a faster powder, like 3031 or 4895, you can get good accuracy without full pressure/velocity. This is much easier on the brass.

4320 tends to have a significant variation from lot to lot.

Good powders wouild aslo include 748, varget and RL15.
 
GANDERITE said:
4320 tends to have a significant variation from lot to lot.
Click to expand...

It also tends to be a bit squirrely, as you push the hotter loads. However, I've found that in the .303 you're always working with slightly lighter loads, and I've actually managed to get the most consistent results of any powder with IMR 4320, even as between different lots of 4320 (from ancient powder that probably dates to the '60s to the most recent stuff I bought from Higginsons a few months ago.)
 
The last batch I made up was: IVI case, 39.5gr RE15, OAL 3.05" in a Ross Rifle and P14. See 303british(dot)com; that's where I got it from. It was not a heavy load. It would probably work in a No1 and it was plenty accurate for me.
 
There is a lot of talk about 40-41 gr of Varget and the Sierra 174gr Matchkings being the magic .303 combination. I haven't got a chance to try this yet. I've just started reloading thus haven't a lot of experience, and have had a hard time getting Sierra bullets. I have finally got the Sierra 180gn flat base bullets to play with, but no data with them yet. Please keep us (or at least me) posted on your developments.

Gary
 
I run 174 GR Hornady interlocks with 36 gr of IMR 3031 for my #1 Mark 3

I had made a few with 40 gr but was starting to get head space sep
 
I'm using the published max of Varget (Hodgdon) and the 174gr. MK in my No.4 mk1*, it follows the sight calibrations to about 400yds, and actually is a tad flatter than the graduations beyond that (set to 480yds to hit rams at 500m)
Case life is only about 3 to 4 loadings and that's with the use of a collet sizing die too.

good luck
 
Tried a box in direct comparison with Hornady RN, and the MK were by far the poorer performer in all loads from light to max. Suspect what I read elsewhere may have merit, in that the profile of the matchking body has less length at max o.d. than the round-nose, thus allowing more "tipping" as it travels down the bore. My Ross and Enfields definitely prefer the RN but your rifle may be entirely different. Worst case senario is more time at the range.:D
Cheers
Jaguar
 
I use h414 with good results.H414 gave real good groups.I never used a chrony to check the velocity.
 
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