Ruger #1 303 British - now what powder? (Post #43)

double gun said:
So what scope does the 303 deserve?

I have a 1-4x20, and a 2.5-8x36.

I'm not opposed to buying a different scope if it would better suit the cartridge...
Click to expand...

I put on a Leupold 2X7 compact which is a great scope BUT, even with 2 extension rings the scope is so short I can't get the right eye relief at 7 power without crawling the stock. Scope length/eye relief is something to consider. The power range is fine.
 
Thanks gentleman.
Today I picked up some hornady 174gr round nose bullets, some brass and dies. So what's everybody's favourite powder?
 
Because most data for the 303 British is developed with the SMLE type rifles in mind, it does not always develop the potential of the cartridge in a
solid action like the P14, the Ross or the #1 Ruger.

The case capacity of the 303 British is virtually identical to the 308 Winchester, and in a strong action like the #1 Ruger, 308 loading data can be used,
always working up carefully, of course.
In my 1910 Ross, I can come close to 2700 fps with the 174/180 grain bullets, which is 308 territory. No case
issues, no excess pressure signs, and accurate as can be. [New barrel on this Ross, BTW.] D.
 
Varget works real well and you can drive the 174 to 2700+(not suitable for Lee Enfields). 4350 is a bit slow but not too bad. Compressed load will yield 2650 or so. 4320 and 4064 are both very good. I dislike ball powders but suspect 760 would work well for heavy loads.
 
303 British brass is thinner at the front than most 308 brass but, as luck would have it, that portion is enclosed by the chamber so it doesn't matter. The head of the case is at least as strong as 308 and, since the cartridge is almost fully enclosed in the chamber, it takes a lot to cause a case to fail. I have never loosened a primer pocket in any rimmed cartridge. The case handles 308 pressures just fine.
Ball powders, while they work fine in many circumstances, have always been inconsistent for me. Only with ball powders have I experienced hang-fires. Most seem to be very temperature sensitive. I do occasionally use ball powders but they are seldom my first choice.
 
Leeper said:
Ball powders, while they work fine in many circumstances, have always been inconsistent for me. Only with ball powders have I experienced hang-fires. Most seem to be very temperature sensitive. I do occasionally use ball powders but they are seldom my first choice.
Click to expand...
Thanks ....... Would a magnum primer help that?
 
Magnum primers can help but when there are so many powders which ignite easily, perform well, and burn cleanly, I wonder why I should bother. The exception is if I should come across a smokin' deal on some ball powder. Then I might try to make it work to satisfy my inner cheapskate.
 
303 brit has always been a favorite of mine
I've had vg success using IMR4320 and 174gr round nose.
One time i even used the 123 gr 310 Dia for the sks
In one Lee Enfield I have with a very tight bore.. used accurate" AA2230C" Which
is typically like using H335 which has been a super accurate In the 303

My load with IMR4320 was 42gr and I used Winchester large rifle magnum primers
And bullet was a Hornady .312 Dia round nose bullet seated to 3.075 military spec.
Pretty well.seats on cannelure.

The H335 load was same bullet... same primer... Charge was 39.2 grains
Same bullet seating length.

Brass I used was either Remington or winchester depending what I had on hand.

One other 303 load to mention was 45. Gr of IMR4350...same bullet /primer/ seating/brass

Velocity for the 4320 and 335 load were pretty well factory around 2400fps
the 4350 was a tad lower around d 2290... but accuracy was 2" or better at 100 yards
In my longbranch sporting rifle
 
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