Pondering powders- 303B

[NW Redneck]

I want to load up some 303 British with 180gr bullets and am wondering what powder, of what I have on hand, I should use. I currently have:

Hodgdon Varget
IMR 4064
IMR 4350

Which of these three would you choose? This is going to be a target/plinking load so I'm looking for accuracy over velocity. I'm hoping if I can keep the velocity down and neck size then I can get a little more life out of my cases.

What say ye CGN?

E: This is for a #4mk1 with 2-groove rifling if it matters.

 

[dan belisle]

I use 4064. - dan

 

[Andy]

Of those, up to 41.0 grs of IMR4064. Up to 42.0 grs of Re15 is worth a look IMO.

 

[Eagleye]

I like RL15 for the 303 British, but 4064 works fine. Eagleye.

 

[stevebc]

I'll be using mine for target purposes, so I'm using Varget, and have loaded the first ladder test rounds, from 38.0 to 41.9gr. I hope to get it out soon.

 

[Ganderite]

All are good powders. If you plan on weighing powder charges, 4064 would be excelllent. If you want to throw the charges, Varget would be better.

 

[dudley2112]

i use win 748

 

[NW Redneck]

Thanks for the replies. I think it will come down to flipping a coin between Varget and 4064. I just got back from the range where I was testing some Varget loads for my .243. I brought the .303 along to shoot off some 1951 surplus Dominion ammo I was given in between the .243 groups while letting the barrel cool off. Despite the gusty winds and the hard to see orange target, I got this group at 100yds using the 200yd battle sights:

Not to shabby! (The shots to the right are from the .243) This rifle will also shoot 180gr Federal factory ammo into 1-1/2 to 1-3/4". I took a deer with it last year at about 75yds. I think I'll try the Varget.



Or maybe the 4064.....


But the Varget meters so nicely.....


or maybe...........

 

[dan belisle]

Load one batch with 4064 and another with Varget. Shoot and compare. Decide. See? Easy. - dan

 

[Old Ranger]

I've had good luck with 4064 in most of my military rifles including 303 Br. Use 40.0 grs with the 150 gr Hornady SP. Shoots well in the 4 Enfields and 1 Ross I now have. 40.0 grs is a light load with the 150's. I neck size only with Lee collect die and have some cases which have been loaded 10 times without problems. 4064 may not meter well in some measurers but works fairly well in my old Lyman 55. I weigh every charge and have very few that aren't within 0.1 grs above or below. I do have a couple boxes of 174 Hornady's and part cans of Varget and R15. Might be a summer project to see how my DCRA #4 will perform with those combinations.