Good day all. I'm have some 174 Gr. FMJ (Hornady #3131) that I plan to run through my 1950 Long Branch #4. My Lyman manual lists best results with RL15, but that's for the 174 Gr. RNSP. Any of you out there have pet loads with that bullet? I have a pretty good range of powders available to me and I'd like to tap into the knowledge base on this site. So my fellow gunnies, thoughts?
Reloading for .303, 174 Gr. Hornady
- Thread starter LawrenceN
- Start date
This is what I was told is the closest to the original flat base military bullet that we can get.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/303-caliber-7-7mm-180-gr-spt/
Hornady used to make a .312 diameter bullet, tradeex has some listed, I would love to try some of these.
https://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/hornady-30377mm-312-174gr-bthp-out-stock--
I was told the same. The rifles perform better with flat base bullets, but there's nothing wrong with using boat tails. I was aware of this and my brother has used them to OK effect at the range. I was just asking if anyone else who has used them has a pet recipe.
Curious here too, I know the rifle model and manufacturer would have an impact too, your Longbranch probably has a tighter bore than an old No 1.
How about these? Any good??
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/reloading/brass-bullet/campro-303-british-180-jsp-500box/
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/reloading/brass-bullet/campro-303-british-180-jsp-500box/
I've never tried those particular bullets. I have 174 and 180 Gr. hunting bullets. I have a good and accurate deer load worked up for my rifle with 150 Gr. Hornady Interlocks. I need input specifically for the 174 Gr. bullets I'm asking about.
Bigrounds8mil
CGN Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, MB
Those 180 Sierra flat base are incredible. 39.1 gr of IMR4895 gets me 1.5 moa 
Tried the PPU 174 gr boat tail, looked more like 10-12 moa, couple keyholed.
That being said, if you have a sporter thats been barely used or rebarreled those boat tails work just as well
Tried the PPU 174 gr boat tail, looked more like 10-12 moa, couple keyholed.
That being said, if you have a sporter thats been barely used or rebarreled those boat tails work just as well
Use the book values for 174s or 180s. Good powders are 3031, 4895, 4064, RL15 and Varget.
Start with the lowest loads and test 5 of each in 1.0 increments to the max. Each rifle is quite different. Look for the load that shoots a group instead of a pattern.
A worn barrel is much better with flat base bullets. That is why the military load was flatbase.
Start with the lowest loads and test 5 of each in 1.0 increments to the max. Each rifle is quite different. Look for the load that shoots a group instead of a pattern.
A worn barrel is much better with flat base bullets. That is why the military load was flatbase.
Thank you Ganderite. My Lyman manual shows the best results with RL15. I'm going to be shooting these out of a nice 1950 Long Branch. The rifling is very good, though a little dark (I'm working on that) but not worn to any appreciable degree so it should shoot well. I have every powder you listed so even though I plan to sell the rifle, it would be nice to put some rounds through it and see how it performs.
You have a "new" Canadian made rifle, you probably have one of the best cases for shooting boat tail bullets, keep us in the loop.
I have a Savage lend lease, I feel that it should do well with boat tail bullets but the BSA No 1 Mk III* from 1917 probably not.
If you have some IMR 4320, I have found it to work very well with the .312" Hornady 174 FBSP bullet.
Start at 40 grains, and work up cautiously. Norma 202 is also very good, but hard to come by. Dave.
Start at 40 grains, and work up cautiously. Norma 202 is also very good, but hard to come by. Dave.
These haven't worked in my sons rifle. Tried IMR 4064, Varget, IMR 4166 and N540. I know the rifle is well used but was hoping one powder choice over the other would stand out as a preference. 4166 and NN540 looked more promising than the others, but neither coming close to a group of any sort at 100. If one of the powders had I would consider purchasing more.
Going to try the 180 Speers and have a box of the Sierra 180, both flat bottoms in my rifle. I have the Speers loaded over Bl-c2 with fed mag primers and VV540 to try. The Bl based on the Hodgdon site and a whisper from another reloader that's longer in the tooth than I.
I have found that following EE and Ganderite's advice gets me to the goal quicker.
Regards
Ronr
I own a number of Lee Enfields. Other than those that have been worked over as true target rifles, they all(but one) shoot like crap.
My only conventional LE that shoots well is a new irish contract.
Your big groups just reflect reality. Nothing to do with powder or loads.
A mediocre rifle will shoot best with a flat base round nose.
My only conventional LE that shoots well is a new irish contract.
Your big groups just reflect reality. Nothing to do with powder or loads.
A mediocre rifle will shoot best with a flat base round nose.
I've heard the same, but I doubt that it's the number of lands and grooves as much as it is barrel wear or sloppy tolerances. I'm going to be pushing my reloads through a 5 groove barrel with good strong rifling so hopefully flat base or boat tail won't make a major difference.
A boat tail bullet does not expand as much to fill a worn bore as a flat base bullet will when fired and kicked in the seat of the pants. The big problem is muzzle and crown wear and the uneven gases pushing on the boat tail and causing it to deflect or tip.
The .303 machine gun ammunition was loaded with single base powders and had a rebated boat tail bullet. Cordite ammunition was banned from machine gun use due to bore wear and short barrel life.
I had a 1950 unissued No.4 Longbranch that would shoot any type bullet very well. But my worn 1943 two groove barrel shot the Hornady 174 round nose flat base the best. And this I think was due to its longer bearing surface.
Below the Mk.8z machine gun ammunition below had rebated boat tail bullets and was loaded with single base powders. (not cordite)
Below a 50 yard 10 shot group with the Hornady 174 round nose bullets from a worn two groove barrel. (42 grains of RL15 Powder)
NOTE, the 2 to 7 pounds of up pressure at the fore end tip is important for controlling group size when bedding the No.4 Enfield rifle. Before bedding this rifle the best I could do was have 3 bullets hit the paper at 50 yards. The Canadian No.4 manual covers bedding and shimming the draws area to tighten up the fore end.
The .303 machine gun ammunition was loaded with single base powders and had a rebated boat tail bullet. Cordite ammunition was banned from machine gun use due to bore wear and short barrel life.
I had a 1950 unissued No.4 Longbranch that would shoot any type bullet very well. But my worn 1943 two groove barrel shot the Hornady 174 round nose flat base the best. And this I think was due to its longer bearing surface.
Below the Mk.8z machine gun ammunition below had rebated boat tail bullets and was loaded with single base powders. (not cordite)
Below a 50 yard 10 shot group with the Hornady 174 round nose bullets from a worn two groove barrel. (42 grains of RL15 Powder)
NOTE, the 2 to 7 pounds of up pressure at the fore end tip is important for controlling group size when bedding the No.4 Enfield rifle. Before bedding this rifle the best I could do was have 3 bullets hit the paper at 50 yards. The Canadian No.4 manual covers bedding and shimming the draws area to tighten up the fore end.
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