why is there no military surplus .303?
- Thread starter Mcwalleye
- Start date
None produced for the military in years, well maybe some in India or Pakistan. There's still surplus around, getting harder and harder to find and usually sells at a premium.
Best deal I have found is Privi and runs about a buck a round plus tax.
Reloading is the answer however there are "tricks" to doing that to get more reloads out of a round.
Best deal I have found is Privi and runs about a buck a round plus tax.
Reloading is the answer however there are "tricks" to doing that to get more reloads out of a round.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Reloading is the only way you are going to get cheap rounds, but once set up you can make cheap rounds for anything
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Because its a calibre which hasnt seen widespread military use since WW2 (that would be 70 years ago). Many commonwealth countries disposed of it by dumping it in the ocean when it was no longer needed too.
That said, its still worth owning as its a piece of Canadian history and the best of the military bolt guns IMO.
That said, its still worth owning as its a piece of Canadian history and the best of the military bolt guns IMO.
vicegripjim
Member
- Location
- Montreal, QC
We shot it all. Now it's a reload proposition unless you're pockets are deep.
PRVI from Tradeex. About the cheapest you're going to find. Buy it, then reload. I find the PRVI brass is excellent quality as run through my K31. 303 loads coming here soon. 
If you're only loading one caliber for plinking purposes you might want to test out your skills with a Lee Loader (those little manual things you need a mallet to operate). It's a cheapo way to figure out if you actually like reloading. And read up on the O-ring trick for the first time running brass through your old Enfield, it'll last longer (the brass).
If you're only loading one caliber for plinking purposes you might want to test out your skills with a Lee Loader (those little manual things you need a mallet to operate). It's a cheapo way to figure out if you actually like reloading. And read up on the O-ring trick for the first time running brass through your old Enfield, it'll last longer (the brass).Don't forget Korea! The Enfield No.4 and the Bren gun proved themselves once again at Kapyong, etc... The commonwealth was still burning 303 well into the 50's! Doesn't make it any more available now though.... I hear beware of any Pakistani/Indian ammunition you may stumble across. QC wasn't so great apparently, though I have exactly zero firsthand experience with it myself.
While not in WIDESPREAD use, it's not entirely accurate that .303 hasn't been made for military in years. I have some 2002 headstamp IVI brass. I'm guessing If you want some of the actual ammo, you'll have to join the rangers.
On the other hand, I load .303 with cast bullets and Alliant Red Dot powder for about $7 per box of 50. Not too shabby. Shoots well enough for plinking, my 9 year old kid can shoot it, and it's cheaper than good .22 ammo.
On the other hand, I load .303 with cast bullets and Alliant Red Dot powder for about $7 per box of 50. Not too shabby. Shoots well enough for plinking, my 9 year old kid can shoot it, and it's cheaper than good .22 ammo.
No .303 ammo? What a surprise! Oh yeah, now I remember - aside from what was shot up by the military, any leftover stuff was wasted by us inconsiderate baby boomers. I can only speak for myself, of course. Reloading is definitely the way to go.
Cynicism aside, it is mind boggling to contemplate just how much surplus ammo has been fired off in the name of fun and games. Four of us shot approx. 800 rounds of 7.62 NATO in an hour. We had three FN's. that was in the good old days when 20 round mags were legal. One guy would load mags and three guys were shooting. Great times. Now, of course, we can't be trusted with FN rifles nor evil 20 round mags.
Cynicism aside, it is mind boggling to contemplate just how much surplus ammo has been fired off in the name of fun and games. Four of us shot approx. 800 rounds of 7.62 NATO in an hour. We had three FN's. that was in the good old days when 20 round mags were legal. One guy would load mags and three guys were shooting. Great times. Now, of course, we can't be trusted with FN rifles nor evil 20 round mags.
That's a steal. If you ever find it that cheap be sure to scoop it up.
Cheap milsurp ammo is long gone. .303 British hasn't been used by anybody for eons either. There has never been case lots of .30 M2 ball in Canada. A box or two might appear at a gun shows, but not recently and not in any great quantity.
Modernish milsurp ammo like 7.62 x 54R is being kept out of the country by civil servant policy.
Reloading is your best alternative. Still isn't exactly cheap but it's far less than factory.
Modernish milsurp ammo like 7.62 x 54R is being kept out of the country by civil servant policy.
Reloading is your best alternative. Still isn't exactly cheap but it's far less than factory.
Last edited:
