Reloading .303 with Recovered Bullets and Powder

Blastattack

Blastattack

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
145   0   0
Location
Winnipeg MB
Hello all. I know this was lightly discussed in a previous thread, but I figured it should get a thread of it's own. I have recently fallen in love with .303 British rifles (Ross', primarily) and have been searching for some economical target/plinking reloads to practice with. While it's nice to use 174gr. FMJBTs fresh from Hornady, it's not exactly the cheapest endeavor. After much reading on this forum and others, I decided to breakdown and re-use the 147gr FMJBTs and the powder from 7.62x54R rounds.

I'm interested in knowing what experience people have had with this brand of recycling, as well as starting loads and such. I have a case of 880, and have already disassembled about 120 rounds or so.
 
lowridersvt said:
I did a bunch a while ago they shoot well I lowered the powder charge from the 7.62 x54r by 2 grains it grouped well
Click to expand...

Pull down, say, 10, take an average and reduce by 2 grains? That sounds easy enough.

Geoff B said:
I saw mention of using 7.62x39 bullets as well. Has anyone any data on this?
Click to expand...

I would think you pretty much just transplant one to the other. I would still average the charge though.
 
Geoff B said:
I saw mention of using 7.62x39 bullets as well. Has anyone any data on this?
Click to expand...
I've done that a bit and so do others. There is load data for 125gr bullets available for the .303B and I just use that data with the 123gr bullets pulled from 7.62x39 and I've never had an issue.
I can only use them in one of my two .303's; my Enfield has a .315" bore and anything under .312" tumbles. My P14 can shoot .308 bullets though and doesn't have an issue.
Not the best accuracy since the rifling isn't meant for bullets that light but it still works for plinking.
For cheap plinking I still prefer 200gr .314" cast bullets. Even cheaper than pulled surplus and of the proper weight (compared to 123gr, 147gr should work fine.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom