Reloading .303 British

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PPU cases

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Reloading
Forum Name: Reloading .303 British
Forum Description: Enfield-Rifles.com accepts NO responsibility for any loads that may be used by persons reading this forum. USE CAUTION WHEN TRYING ANY NEW LOADS!!! ANY DATA DEEMED UNSAFE WILL BE REMOVED!!!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14308
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 2:51pm
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Topic: PPU cases

Posted By: Canuck
Subject: PPU cases
Date Posted: December 08 2025 at 10:22am

A question for the reloaders here. I am prepping PPU .303 cases and have found my once fired brass cases are already over 2.22" in length. Other cases like the IVI once fired brass are under the maximum length of 2.22". Have you guys found the same thing? I have tumbled the cases, neck sized them and de-burred the case mouths. Thanks for your responses!

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Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually

Replies:

Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: December 08 2025 at 10:35am

If you have any unfired PPU cases, check the length. Might be that they were near the max, 2.222 inches. I can't recall any once fired PPU brass needing to be trimmed. Perhaps after about 4 or 5 neck sizings. Any chance your caliper is off?

Full length sizing tends to lengthen the brass a fair bit usually necessitating a trim. The first firing tends to reduce the length, especially in large diameter chambers.

I suppose if headspace was on the long side, the once fired case actually stretches, which may be what's happening here.

Posted By: Canuck
Date Posted: December 08 2025 at 11:06am

Ah yes, that does make sense. These PPU cases were fired from a 1943 Savage No.4/MK1* rifle that headspaces in the proper parameter. I do have unfired PPU brass and it measures 2.218". My digital caliper is fairly new and I have verified it is accurate using another shooter's caliper that I know to be accurate. I will trim these once fired cases then after firing a second time measure the cases and go from there. Thanks Britrifles!

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Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually