Reloading .303 with the Lee Classic Loader: Overall cartridge length

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WHOPPER_JR

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In my quest to find affordable .303 to feed my No.4, I bought a Lee Classic Loader kit (the one where you bash on the dies with a mallet), some Sierra 180 grain bullets, a 1lb bottle of Hybrid 100V powder, some primers, and a set of digital calipers.

My bullet/powder selection was based purely on availability and the chart provided by the kit. Per the chart, my min/max cartridge length with my grain and powder combination is exactly 3.075 inches. When I was toying around with my new calipers I found out that I will need to be very precise to be exactly 3.075"

My question is, how much can I deviate from this length requirement? Can I get away with having 3.070" or 3.080" long cartridges? If I shoot a cartridge that is 3.074" or 3.076" will I end up looking like the elephant man? The dipper that the kit comes with is 2.8cc which is supposed to weigh in at 38.5 grains if I level it off. I'm super green to reloading, and I might buy a powder scale before I start.

Thanks,
 
OAL only matters if:

Rounds are too long for the magazine, or

Some engage the rifling and some don't.

The variation you are talking about won't matter. Find the longest one you have made and make sure it fits the mag, and then gently chamber it and close the bolt. Check the round to see if there is any rifling marks on the bullet. If not, you are good to go with the variation you are getting.

FWIW, I load my 303 at 3.000"
 
I started out with a Lee loader for 303Brit as well. One bonus is that the unit neck sizes only, which is easier on your brass. A scale is a good investment. I still use the Lee dippers, but dump the powder from them into a scale, then add a little powder using a powder trickler to get the weight I want. It is difficult to get consistent charge weights with just the scoop. The length of the bullets themselves may vary a bit, so don't let it drive you crazy if you get one cartridge that measures 3.074 and the next one measures 3.076.. It is the lead tip itself that varies a bit, nothing to get excited about.

And FWIW, I am loading to an overall length of 3.050" for my No4.
 
I am green as well (and using Lee Loader), and had the same concerns. Unlike you, I just went ahead and used them with a relatively short COAL instead of asking for advice. You'll probably live longer than me. The rounds shot just fine. In fact one test load shot .526" 4-shot group at 100.

In my second round of reloading, I adjusted the die to set a longer COAL. It takes some dicking around, but once it is set right just tighten it well and forget it. That's my plan.

If you are looking for a scale that is affordable, easy to use, and accurate/reliable, get the Frankford Arsenal DS-750. Under $50 on Amazon. It's excellent. Well worth it to allow more powder flexibility (beyond the ones on the dipper chart)
 
Yet another 303 British reloading newbe answering. I did not give much thought to OAL on my first go round as the 150gr SSt had a cannelure line. I set it where it needed to be. The second batch was 174gr RNSP and it too had one, but at a different OAL. I figured if the bullet manufacture wanted it to seated and be crimped there, it was supposed to be at that OAL. My challenge came when I loaded 174gr BTHP match. There was no line to set to. If I used LEE's 3.075 OAL, there was damm little of the full diameter of the bullet in the neck area as it is tapered at both ends. I quick check of my old stash of various factory loads showed each was a different OAL yet again. Internet search time. Long search but simple answer. LEE's OAL is based on maximum length. Other's manufactures OAL on minimum length. Hence confusion for this newbye. Both appear to have good reasons. Too short and the bullet may be compressing the charge. Too long and the bullet may be pressing against the start of the rifling in the barrell. I chose to set the Match bullet length similar to other factory load lengths. As I was loading pretty mild with lots of case room left, there was no chance of making compressed loads. My thinking is if you are in between the minimum and maximum, where most factory loads seem to be, you should be safe. The experts will set us straight as to the importance of OAL as to accuracy and performance. As for me, I just want safe, reliable and cheaper things to go bang with in my MK4.
 
Thanks for the info guys. A scale is definitely my next purchase. I'm not trying to win any competitions with my No.4, I just want to be able to shoot it more than a couple times a year, lol.
 
36 years ago, I bought a .303 rifle (my first) from my local shop. I bought factory 180gn rounds (all he stocked) went home and got ready to start zeroing. Not bad, had a 4" group with iron sights, but I wanted better. I really couldn't afford the buy a ton of factory and the next summer I was at a flea market where the friend of my girlfriend's parents had this box that said .303Br. I asked what it was, he told me it was a reloading kit for a .303.
I gave him $7, took the box home. Went to a local shop, actually called "The Gunnery". Unfortunately, I knew nothing. I bought a box of bullets (their suggestion), primers, and a powder on the instruction sheet. This took a month to save and pay for. I ran home, excited to make my own rounds and then shoot them.
I knew nothing about COAL. The instructions said to crimp in the cannelure, so I set for that. Loaded rounds as carefully as I could, followed the instructions, shot like crap! I threw everything in the box, went home, tossed the box under the workbench. Reloading voodoo! Crap. I was pretty mad that I had been taken in.
Couple years went by. I was in the post office, guy comes in, recognizes me, asks how I am enjoying shooting more. I told him that was voodoo and a waste of money. Factory ammo is better. He tells me something must be wrong, it should have worked great.
He invited me to his house to check this out. I dug out my gear and rounds, grabbed my rifle, and went to his house.
I found out lots that day.
Turns out the rifle (an 1898 Lee Calvary Carbine, who knew) likes a slow, heavy (215gn) slug and that 150gn jacketed bullet zipped through with no stabilizing (which is why I had 2' groups) at all. He showed me why the 180gn factory loads grouped better and then showed me what it could do with some 215gn reloads he had prepared.
Lessons learned: twist rates, bullet weights, velocity, age, experience.

I now knew what I needed, I could not find 215gn bullets but 180s worked satisfactorily. Even with the scoops varying 1/10 of a grain, I got 3" groups. I used that loader for years.
 
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Good story Wildcat. I started with the Lee Loader as well in the 303br. It's good for me to know there are still a few out there using one. Just graduated to a single press and very much a rookie still.

Responses from the membership here has been really positive for the questions I've had already Whopper. Well stated questions with supported investigations seem to do it.

RonR
 
I still use my lee loader for .303 British. Handy little thing. You can make some nice ammo with it. I do have a single stage press but I neck size with the lee loader, hand prime and seat with the press.
 
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