Enfield-Rifles.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Reloading > Reloading .303 British
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - how big are your groups?  No. 4 Mk I
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

how big are your groups? No. 4 Mk I

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Dux-R-Us View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: February 23 2010
Location: Stillwater, OK
Status: Offline
Points: 119
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dux-R-Us Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: how big are your groups? No. 4 Mk I
    Posted: December 29 2012 at 12:59am
Happy Christmas to all.
 
I'm curious to know the best group size everyone gets with their No. 4 Mk I.
 
I am still on the quest to build the best load for my 1948 Faz., 5 groove, and want some data to compare how close to success I am.
 
The best 5 shot groups I have achieved are 2.1 in.  I shoot with the micrometer sight off sand bags at 100 yards.  My target is the NRA 100 yard High Power Rifle (SR-21), which has a 6 in. diameter black to the 8 ring.  I use the 6 o'clock hold.
 
My load is 174 gr Sierra HPBT, 36.5 gr. IMR 3031, CCI 200 primer, and COL 3.086 in.  No crimping.
 
I have also shot a 2.1 in group with the above load with COL 3.138 in., but that round won't fit in the magazine. I must load individual rounds which is not an issue in the Military Bolt Action Matches I shoot.
 
I have also shot a 2.1 in. group using the 180 gr. Sierra ProHunter (flat base) with 38.5 gr. IMR 4064, with COL 3.074 in.
 
Your opinions and observations are welcome.
 
Thanks,
 
K
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Back to Top
SW28fan View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: July 02 2007
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 2951
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2012 at 1:11am
I seem to be the prince of four holes touching and one an inch or two off, so 2-2.5" groups seem to be the norm for me with all my No4s.  I did once get a 1.25" group with my No4 Mk1 (No Bloody *) Longbranch.
Have a Nice Day
If already having a nice day please disregard
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2012 at 2:35am
I have done 1 1/2" repeatedly, but 2 1/2" is probably more "average" for me at 100yds.
I use 150 Gr FB bullets, specifically the Hornady #3120 loaded over 38.0 Gr of IMR 3031 in PPU/nny cases. This gives me 2500 FPS @ 15 Ft with an SD of 18.9. I partial full length resize & seat the bullets so that the cannelure groove is just ahead of the case mouth.  This give me a 20 thou jump to the leade in my '55 Faz No4 mk2. I do  ot crimp, but I have polished down my expander ball to give a firm pull.
 
Note: this is with a scope, not irons though.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
Dux-R-Us View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: February 23 2010
Location: Stillwater, OK
Status: Offline
Points: 119
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dux-R-Us Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2012 at 3:42am
Originally posted by Shamu Shamu wrote:

I have done 1 1/2" repeatedly, but 2 1/2" is probably more "average" for me at 100yds.
 
Note: this is with a scope, not irons though.
Wow.  If you can shoot 1.5 in with a scope, I should feel pretty good with 2.1 in. and metal sights.  So I am on the right track at least.  I will continue to play with powder charges, seating depth, and type of powder.
 
I have not tried 150 gr. bullets thus far.  125 gr bullets were a disaster.    
 
Thanks. 
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Back to Top
303Guy View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: July 10 2012
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 495
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 303Guy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2012 at 4:07am
My sporterized MLE with a No4 barrel would shoot 1 1/4" groups all day with 150gr Hornady spire points with MR200 powder at a velocity of 2700fps using a scope.  I don't recall how often I annealed the necks but I do think it important to anneal often so as to keep neck tension consistant.

My 'rust textured bore' No4 puts 180gr PRVI's very close together at 100m but I've never bothered to actually group it on paper.  One day I will.
303Guy
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2012 at 7:00am
You certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. Try the 3120's I did & was very pleasantly surprised. I think its the combination of the flat base & the tip shape that allows a 150 Gr bullet to work so well. If you keep the velocity down a bit then the sigts are even really close out to about 400 yds. 
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
trimix View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: December 30 2012
Location: Nanoose Bay, BC
Status: Offline
Points: 33
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trimix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 02 2013 at 8:14pm
O crap.
I can't even see the target at 100yds without a scope...
yeah...whatever.
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2013 at 1:49am
Just get a bigger target!Star
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.04
Copyright ©2001-2021 Web Wiz Ltd.