.311 vs .312 174gr Bullets
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10318
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:59pm
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Topic: .311 vs .312 174gr Bullets
Posted By: 105GunGrunt
Subject: .311 vs .312 174gr Bullets
Date Posted: February 15 2020 at 12:38pm
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I have always been a big fan of Sierra MatchKings so when I started loading my No 4 I went with Sierra’s .311 174gr. Now I see that Hornady makes a .312 174gr. Has anyone compared the two? A rough test of my No 4 barrel shows it has about 1/2 to 3/4 of its life left. Would the larger bullet be a better fit for older rifles?
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Replies:
Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: February 15 2020 at 1:03pm
I have just recently tested a 200grn .310 FMJBT against the Hornady 174grn .312 HPBT. The first photo is the .310 FMJBT bullets, the second photo is the .312 174grn BTHP bullets. 
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Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 15 2020 at 1:17pm
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I wasn’t able to detect any difference between the .311 SMK and .312 Hornady Match for 10 shot groups at 200 yards from my No. 4 which has a barrel measuring .3035 across the lands and a .314 groove depth. 10 shot group sizes center to center extreme spread 2 MOA or slightly better on a good day. |
Posted By: Honkytonk
Date Posted: February 15 2020 at 2:53pm
| Either load or group would make me proud! Venison on the table! Man, can you guys shoot! |
Posted By: pisco
Date Posted: February 15 2020 at 8:14pm
| i use the hornady .312” and they work better then any thing else i have used |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 16 2020 at 5:46am
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Pisco, have you also shot the Sierra MatchKing? If so, how much better did the Hornady shoot? Are you able to gage the bore of your rifle? |
Posted By: Honkytonk
Date Posted: February 16 2020 at 6:41am
| My No4 Mk2 Sniper clone shoots the Sierra MK 174's slightly better than the PPU 174 FMJ's. It also shoots 180 gr Sierra Prohunters well. Since I only have access to basically a 100 yard range, I'll probably stick to a non BT. In my experience in tuning in my Enfields, matching bullet weight (150 vs 174/180) to a rifle is most important. My L42 clone (.303) just wouldn't group 180's, but I took the advise from this forum and tried 150 gr Hornady spire points and it was like magic! Good shooter now! I recently loaded up a bunch of Hornady .312 174gr RN and am looking forward to see how they shoot. Wicked looking projectile... |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 16 2020 at 7:37am
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The two No. 4s that I tried the Sierra 180 PH bullet, neither would group, strung vertically. One of these days, I’ll experiment further with it (different powder/charge weight). Must be a tuning issue. The 174 gr SMK has been accurate with several medium burn powders over a broad range of muzzle velocities in my No. 4 rifles.
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Posted By: pisco
Date Posted: February 16 2020 at 6:44pm
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i have never used the sierra i have been using some old taipans if i remember correctly my bore is .313”
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