.303 bullets
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=9534
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:17pm
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Topic: .303 bullets
Posted By: 42rocker
Subject: .303 bullets
Date Posted: February 02 2019 at 8:31pm
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What are some of your top choices for bullets. I know that finding the best combo for that one rifle is best but I have to start someplace. 150 grain or 180 grain or ?? I know what powder? Going to work on that next. Right now I'm thinking about the bullet part. Also Midway has Free S&H so check that out if you also need something. Later 42rocker
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Replies:
Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: February 02 2019 at 9:44pm
This is my choice for my .303 Enfield rifles. 40.0 grains of powder and that is it. Muzzle velocity is just over 2500 fps and my groups are very tight. I buy all this from Midway USA ...    
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Posted By: 42rocker
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 7:27am
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Goosic Thanks for that load data and good pics. Took a little looking before I could find that bullet. Midway has the 3130 which is close but did not have the 3130G. Finally found the 3130G at Graf & sons. Also found the nice powder chart at the Norma website. If you use Norma powders then make sure that you download the powder data charts for their website. Anyone else have a good bullet? Load? Later 42rocker
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Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 7:53am
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I have been using the Norma reloading manual from the age of seventeen. The 174 grain bullet pictured is the round nose. The BTHP Graf will do the      same thing. I have tried all these different weights of bullets and have tried various other powders,using the minimum to maximum charges. For me,I have found using 40.0 grains of the 202 across the board for the 174grn .303 and the 168grn .308 to be the most accurate and reliable choice. I am not having any pressure related failures and my velocities from the muzzle out to 200+ yards stays relatively consistent.
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Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 8:07am
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My No4 Mk2 likes the 150 Gr Hornady #3120 a .212" 150 Gr SPFB, the same as my old Savage 2-groove No4 Mk1* did. The No5 & the SMLE both like the heavier Sierra MK 174Gr ones.
------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: 42rocker
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 11:16am
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Interesting, I look forward to reloading and someday going to the range and trying out some of these loads in my Enfields. As least they are ready for the range. Someday I'll get one of my Bren's range ready then we will have to talk about loads for it. Later 42rocker
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Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 4:28pm
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Don't knock the old Lee "Whack a mole" Lee Loader. With just a few inexpensive accessories they can load very good ammo. I've taught several people to reload on them on picnic benches in the woods.  A caliper & a set of dippers is all you need to get started. http://leeprecision.com/reloading-kits/lee-loader-rifle/" rel="nofollow - https://leeprecision.com/reloading-kits/lee-loader-rifle/ http://leeprecision.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes" rel="nofollow - http://leeprecision.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes" rel="nofollow - https://leeprecision.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes A rubber hammer, Some powder, a bunch of primers & a box or two of bullets for supplies & you're GTG.  ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 6:47pm
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174 gr Sierra MatchKing with 40.0 grains of Re 15 or 40.0 grains of Varget gives very good accuracy in my No. 4 (this is the load I use in the CMP Vintage Military Rifle matches). I’ve also shot the Hornady 174 BTHP Match bullet with similar results, I’ve not been able to see any difference in accuracy between the Hornady and Sierra Match bullets. |
Posted By: 42rocker
Date Posted: February 03 2019 at 7:57pm
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Shamu I have one of those reloading kits for .303 British rds. Happy to say that I also have a complete set of dies, Lee dies I think. I started reloading with a set like that for 410 shotgun she!!s around age 8, note I think that I was "helping" my Dad with the reloading. At that time I was shooting a round or two of trap every weekend. My Dad started reloading. That said I did not start any reloading of anything with bullets till a few months ago. Not that I have not been planning (and buying) for a few years. britrifles Thanks for that loading info. And the statement about those bullets. I might have to order something tomorrow before the free shipping goes away. Later 42rocker
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Posted By: Black Prince
Date Posted: July 24 2019 at 1:47pm
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Shamu Yep! I use the same Lee Loader kit like you.but found a problem with seating the primers as a couple discharged when seating  , luckily I wear safety glasses as the seater for the primers had a protruding nipple so when you seated the primer the primer had a small dent like a firing pin had hit it. But a email to LEE in USA to inform them of the problem they replaced the part by post ASAP which was brilliant,as I live in NSW in Australia I did not expect the response so quick and no questions asked. Wonderful service from LEE USA.  The Lee Loader kit is great for me on a fixed budget and enjoy the reloading process.by the way I have 2 Longbranch Number 4's 1943 and a 1942 Mk1* great shooters. Oh! yes before people ask, I use my fathers old case holders made out of wood with holes drilled to hold the case made in the 60's It's not the shoot ,but the journey to the range. Take care you all. See pics  ------------- I know what I like & like what I know. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: July 24 2019 at 3:34pm
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Very nice! Lee is probably the most under rated company in the reloading biz. I have a whack a mole for .303 Brit & (gawd 'elp me) 7.62 for a self loader! THAT can get interesting! ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: SW28fan
Date Posted: July 24 2019 at 6:05pm
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My favorite is the Sierra 180 on 38.5 grains of Varget, it comes very close to the Mark VII ball and I won a CMP vintage rifle match with it. ------------- Have a Nice Day If already having a nice day please disregard |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: July 24 2019 at 7:20pm
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I just can’t get that Sierra 180 to group in my No. 4, I think I have tried that exact same load and strung the group vertical, four 10 shot groups all did the same thing. 5 groove barrel with .3035 bore and .314 groove diameter. It does great with the 174 SMK and 40 gr Varget. I’ve shot scores into the low 290’s in the 30 round course of fire in the VMR matches. If I had Goosic’s skill, I’d be shooting 300-30x with this load.
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