Ruger #1 303 British and moose
- Thread starter albertaal
- Start date
I can vouch for what Leeper is saying. I've had the opportunity to fire off WW2 milsurp ammo in my p14, and those have consistently achieved 2450fps with a 174gr bullet. I have some old Dominion ammo kicking around too; I should fire those off and see what they chrony at.
I don't understand why factory loads are neutered nowadays, especially knowing what the original 303 British milspec loads were (174 @ 2440).
I don't understand why factory loads are neutered nowadays, especially knowing what the original 303 British milspec loads were (174 @ 2440).
I used Federal 150gr factory loads on this whitetail as well. Punched both shoulders; cup stayed inside and the core exited. 40yd shot with my Ruger 303, obviously, using the factory open sights. What a great rifle to carry around! I actually had a scope on it but decided it didn't 'fit'.
And one with the rifle
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I have never seen factory 30-30 ammo come even close to advertised velocity over a chronograph. Some 170 gr stuff was less than 2000 fps.
Ted
Admittedly I tend to view the 30 30 as better than the 7.62 x 39 which isnt legal here in any factory loading for deer, it just doesnt make the grade MV wise, but not as good as .303. Mind when we are talking woodland stalking with ranges from a few feet out to a massive 140 yards even Iron sighted rifles get a look in and you dont need a magnum anything for that distance.
Maybe ten years ago, I would have believed this story. Today though, with a dozen years of internet education under my belt, I know better. It's highly unlikely a 303 will kill a moose with one shot, especially with a 150 grain factory load.
Don't know if you are being sarcastic so I will respond, growing up on the rock where "gettin your moose" is way of life for so many,I have probably seen more moose being taken with a Lee Enfield 303 than any other rifle.
Maybe ten years ago, I would have believed this story. Today though, with a dozen years of internet education under my belt, I know better. It's highly unlikely a 303 will kill a moose with one shot, especially with a 150 grain factory load.
Good one, Bill.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
Last time I crony'd Winchester 180g 303 ammo it was doing about 2350fps out of a 22" bbl
Remington 170g 30-30 ammo was doing a little over 1900fps out of a 22" bbl
I was with my buddy who was shooting his Ruger #1 303. He had 2 or 3 duds in a box of newly purchased Remington 303 ammo.
I once shot a white tail buck with a 303 and a 180g Sierra at about 70 yards. I hit it in the spine and found it left a good hole right on through. The results were not too messy, not to weak, it was jjjuuuust right.
The end.
Remington 170g 30-30 ammo was doing a little over 1900fps out of a 22" bbl
I was with my buddy who was shooting his Ruger #1 303. He had 2 or 3 duds in a box of newly purchased Remington 303 ammo.
I once shot a white tail buck with a 303 and a 180g Sierra at about 70 yards. I hit it in the spine and found it left a good hole right on through. The results were not too messy, not to weak, it was jjjuuuust right.
The end.
Maybe ten years ago, I would have believed this story. Today though, with a dozen years of internet education under my belt, I know better. It's highly unlikely a 303 will kill a moose with one shot, especially with a 150 grain factory load.
Cripes , are you bhind the times ! Last I heard , there was a backlog on firing point procedures for target range fire from HMCS Athabsca for moose ! !
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
My experience and feeling exactly.
The last batch of milsurp I fired two years ago averaged 2458 fps, twelve feet out from the muzzle, fired from a full wood No4 Mk1.
It's the damn lawyers at it again.
If you think .303 Brit being downloaded is bad, check out most factory 8mm Mauser with 170gr bullets...about 400 fps slower than what that catridge is capable of! They've turned the bloody thing into a 30-30 instead of the 30-06 that it really is!
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
I must say that i would not call winchester gray box "neuterd" as i allmost need to open the bolt of my enfield with my boot when i shoot the stuff yet have had no issue with milsurp ammo... Safe Pressure is the limit not theretical velocity!
Also i wonder if the barrel mfg understood that some of us handloaders would be tryin to sweadge hornadys 174gr RN's down there tubes not just 150 an 180gr spitzers? Just a weeee bit more bearing surface on the RN's ;-)
Also i wonder if the barrel mfg understood that some of us handloaders would be tryin to sweadge hornadys 174gr RN's down there tubes not just 150 an 180gr spitzers? Just a weeee bit more bearing surface on the RN's ;-)
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Oh and i should say its alotta fun reloading .303... Cheap plinking when you roll your own!
