Reloading .303 British - .308 diameter bullets in my 303

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.308 diameter bullets in my 303

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Topic: .308 diameter bullets in my 303

Posted By: 303carbine
Subject: .308 diameter bullets in my 303
Date Posted: January 27 2011 at 3:38am

I tried some .308 diameter 150 grain bullets in my No5 Mk1, they shoot to the same point of impact as the .312 diameter 150 grain bullets do.

I can use these in a pinch if I run out of .312 diameter Hornady's.

Replies:

Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 27 2011 at 11:21am

good to know , did you notice any irregularity ?

Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: January 28 2011 at 10:16am

They will work with some accuracy in a tight barrel at first, however it will cause premature throat erosion among other long term issues. Remember they make the correct size bullets for a reason.

Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 28 2011 at 11:55am

good point - i have much to learn about ballistics , and thats why i read these forums - thank you

Posted By: White Rhino
Date Posted: January 28 2011 at 10:57pm

Thats a lot of unused space when You compare the 2 size projectiles .... .308" - .312" =.004" Dont look like Much to us ...But when You are talking gas escaping under pressure Your talking about a very large passage at .004" and erosion will occur... along with many other things .....

Really wish I had some pictures of what Gas under pressure does to a mating surface that has a gap of a very few thousands of an inch .....

-------------
"White Rhino"

"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." --W. C. Fields

Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: January 29 2011 at 3:35am

Exactly Rhino

Posted By: 303carbine
Date Posted: January 30 2011 at 11:53am

I would only use the smaller diameter bullets in a pinch if I had to, I have several hundered 311 and 312 diameter slugs for my jungle carbine.

There was nothing different in the way of accuracy while shooting the 308 diameter bullets, no keyholing or anything out the ordinary.

Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: January 30 2011 at 12:16pm

You would'nt at first 303 but after a few rounds that Hot gas will etch the throat and damage you chamber.