Looking for reloading data for 303 Br with Lead Bullets?

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edlott

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Hi.
I'm new to this forum but I've been a shooter and reloader for 35 years. I've picked up 2 Lee Enfields with good barrels and I,m having a hard time finding any good info to reload with. I have all the standard books, but they are limited when it comes to lead bullets. I,m looking to develope a 100 yard target load with lead bullets. I know lead bullets in a 303 barrel can be a challange, but that what I'm looking for. Thanks.
 
Need more info to help you,

What bullet weight
Gas checked or plain base
What does your bore slug at?
What powders do you have?
 
If your barrel is smooth and you size the bullets to fit they can work quite well. Make sure the bullets are gas check style, hard cast and I have found that the 200 grain (nominal) weight works pretty good. I have also found I have had better luck with rifle powders than with the pistol powders. I use imr 3031 0r 4895 and work the load down to the 1800-1900 fps range. I also fireform the brass to the chamber with a full power load and they neck size for the cast bullet loads. Also make sure you have all the copper fouling out of the barrel before shooting the cast.

I have an old ideal mould for the 170 grain flat nose 30-30 bullet that casts oversize bullets--it also works quite well in my 303's.

With both bullets I can keep most of my shots inside the black on a standard pistol target at 100 yards--I am sure rifle could do better but my eyes aren't up to it any more.

FWIW, 44Bore
 
Hi.
I cast my own, I can get almost any powder, gas checks will depend on how the round peforms. But I need is a starting point.eg
Type of powder
Powder weight - min. & max.
Velocity
Bullet wei.
Bullet sizing will be keep as close as possible to the bore size and adjust as groups develop.
I will cast to any bullet recommended as long as moulds are avialable.
Thanks.
 
edlott said:
Hi.
I'm new to this forum but I've been a shooter and reloader for 35 years. I've picked up 2 Lee Enfields with good barrels and I,m having a hard time finding any good info to reload with. I have all the standard books, but they are limited when it comes to lead bullets. I,m looking to develope a 100 yard target load with lead bullets. I know lead bullets in a 303 barrel can be a challange, but that what I'm looking for. Thanks.
Click to expand...


This data is from an old Hodgdon book for cast bullets in the 303 British
150 gas checked

4831--44.0 gr. 2014 fps
H380--36.0 gr. 2151 fps
4895--34.0 gr. 2106 fps
BLC-(2) 34.0 gr. 2060 fps
H4198--24.0 gr. 1884 fps
H4227--17.0 gr. 1602 fps

180 gas checked bullets used the same charge with all powders,the velocity was lightly lower using the heavier weight cast bullets.
Hope this helps,it was taken from the Hodgdon manual Number 23 , page 200
 
I use a Lyman 311299 cast with WW and 5% tin, comes out cast at 203 gr I size at .314 because my bore is .313
gas checked and lubed. (always size 1 or 2 thou larger than bore size)
Powder I use about 24gr H4895 or 20gr of IMR4759 to get approx 1800 FPS as I find that is the velocity most people strive for to get good accuracy. (reloader 7 is also a good choice).
If you want above 1500 fps you better gas check them.

hope this gives you a ballpark figure you are looking for.
 
i use the M.T. Chambers' version of Lyman #314299, accuracy can be hit and miss though.....I've heard of or seen it used at .310,.311,.312 and up with varying degrees of success. The problem is more with the nose diameter and how that matches the bore(or doesn't). Best load to date is 19.5 grs. of SR4759 with the 200+ grain bullet. I think that a bullet design such as the Loverin may be more consistent instead of the big bore rider. If your .303 shoots the Lyman well,then disregard the above.
 
Hi
I've seen the Loverin bullet and I think you may be on to something.I had this mould on my list of things to try. Thanks for your help.
 
If you're still looking for cast bullet load info for the 303 Br., send me a PM. I have some in the Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook as well as in the Lyman 1st & 3rd Edition Cast Bullet Handbooks that may be helpful to you.
 
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