303 reloading data

[Raptor]

Hi Guys

I am starting to reload for my 303 . I want to use 200gr rhino bullets . One can order them on special order 200 at a time . I want to use s355 powder . Max velocity I want to optain should be around 2450fps. Is it possible to obtain this velocity and what will the starting load be . I am new to reloading , please advise .

 

[monish]

Raptor,

Is your rifle a Lee Enfield ?? I have a little data on 150 grain bullet reloads , certainly do not know much about a 200 grainer Rhino bullets ....

.303 British load data.

Sierra
150 Gr '.312" Dia. bullet
IMR 3031
Wt. MV
38.1 2300
39.4 2400
40.7 2500
42.0 (MAX) 2600
Accuracy load IMR 4064
Hunting Load H 414 Hornady
150 Gr '.312" Dia. bullet
IMR 3031
Wt. MV
34.5 2200
36 2300
37.5 2400
39 2500
40.5 2600
42.0 (MAX) 2700

Lyman
150 Gr '.312" Dia. bullet
IMR 3031
Wt. MV
38.0 (Starting load) 2288
42.0 (MAX) 2597
Accuracy load IMR 4895. 41.0 Gr 2490 FPS



Monish

 

[Raptor]

Hi

Yes I have a Lee Enfield mark 4 no 2 , I had it customized by Moot arms , they did a splendid job . I have read an article in the magnum where there was an article about reloading the 303 with s355 . They obtained speeds of 2350 fps with a 215gr bullet . I would love to push the 200gr pil up to 2400 fps . This wil be my bushveld load . The do everything load for me as I have only the one rifle , still saving up for my 9,3x62 .

 

[monish]

Raptor,

Thats a fine model of .303 you have . 200 grain solids do you plan to reload ?? the velocity it would attain would be tremendous . Whats on your hunt list ??? for the upcoming safari . .366 (9.3x62) is a great calibre , what make do you intent procuring ??

Monish

 

[Raptor]

The 200gr rhino bullet is actually a soft nose , primuim bullet , go to rhinobullets.co.za, they work on par with nosler partitions and barnes tripple x . I stay in South Africa and regularly hunt impala , kudu and warthog . I would like to get a 9,3x62 in zc550 meduim classic , I just like the look of those rifles . If I can reload the 200gr bullet to about 2400 fps I would have the ideal medium game bush rifle and if something big steps my way I will be able to handle it . The 9,3x62 would be my medicine for big game like eland and giraffe .

 

[monish]

Rhinos seems to be very fine bullets did go through their site. a 200 grainer should be a very effective round for the game you generally take , good choice. The 9.3x62 CZ550 is an immaculate make . May the elands an the giraffe get perfect treatment with it.

Happy Hunting !!!

Monish

 

[philip in china]

Your rifle

That is a tremendous rifle you have got there! The sheer speed at which that action can be cycled is almost unbelievable.

I sort of spumbled on this thread by accident. Be careful on maximum loads with an Enfield.

 

[Talisker]

I have a British .303 #4 Mk2 for sale. It is birch stocked and I bought the rifle as NOS that had never been issued. Came from an Irish arsenal, made in 1955, built at ROF Fazakerly. Took it out of the cosmoline myself. It has fired a total of 25 rounds since I bought it. Same as a new rifle. Extremely accurate. First $600 gets it, a softcase, and some stripper clips, 15 loaded rounds, and 25 once-fired brass. Location is central Montana, USA. It's not a prairie gun, I bought it when I lived in the Arkansas woods, where these rifles hold an excellent reputation in woods deer hunting.

 

[philip in china]

I have a British .303 #4 Mk2 for sale. It is birch stocked and I bought the rifle as NOS that had never been issued. Came from an Irish arsenal, made in 1955, built at ROF Fazakerly. Took it out of the cosmoline myself. It has fired a total of 25 rounds since I bought it. Same as a new rifle. Extremely accurate. First $600 gets it, a softcase, and some stripper clips, 15 loaded rounds, and 25 once-fired brass. Location is central Montana, USA. It's not a prairie gun, I bought it when I lived in the Arkansas woods, where these rifles hold an excellent reputation in woods deer hunting.

Birch stocked or Beech stocked??

 

[Dirty Harry]

Hallo Raptor, ek herlaai ook vir die 303 maar het nog nie die 200 grein Rhino probeer nie, ek gebruik maar 150 grein en 174 grein punte met S335 kryt. Sal jou daar kan help. Ons jag ook maar in die bosveld en ek het al Wildebees en Eland gejag met die 174 grein punte.

 

[philip in china]

Dankie. Dit is baie nuttig.

Hallo Raptor, ek herlaai ook vir die 303 maar het nog nie die 200 grein Rhino probeer nie, ek gebruik maar 150 grein en 174 grein punte met S335 kryt. Sal jou daar kan help. Ons jag ook maar in die bosveld en ek het al Wildebees en Eland gejag met die 174 grein punte.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

Raptor! I wonder the .303 with 200 grs it´s a cannon with a velocity of 2400 FPS...
Usually this caliber is used with bullets of 174 grs, at a vel of 2550 fps and the eprformance in boars and red stags is WONDERFUL... the shot is equal to my favourite weapon and caliber, the 7,65x54 mauser...
Rely in your weapon with this charge and performance! What a soot!!!!!!!!

 

[Velo Dog]

A PH friend of mine (Hannes Swanepoel) tells the story of a local South African man / client that shot a bull kudu with a .303 and 215 grain Woodleigh RNSP and the bullet went most of the way - not broadside - but lengthwise, through the animal, perfectly mushroomed.
I do not remember the velocity he told me of anymore but, it was slow as I recall.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

velo Dog... the matter is... in this type of ammo... how can i explain this? mmmmm.... is difficult in my poor english!... haha
Depends more in the composition of the bullet than in the velocity... but! the quality and type of bullet make the difference! some bullets works better in an slow velocity, and each others works better in a fast velocity!... if anyone of ours use an amunnition with the wrong "combinattion"... the dissaster appears!....
It´s a ballance!

 

[Velo Dog]

velo Dog... the matter is... in this type of ammo... how can i explain this? mmmmm.... is difficult in my poor english!... haha
Depends more in the composition of the bullet than in the velocity... but! the quality and type of bullet make the difference! some bullets works better in an slow velocity, and each others works better in a fast velocity!... if anyone of ours use an amunnition with the wrong "combinattion"... the dissaster appears!....
It´s a ballance!

Tu Ingles is perfecto, amigo (better than my Espanol por claro) and you said exactly what I believe ... some bullets work better at slow velocity (soft bullets) and some work better at fast velocity (hard bullets).
Great minds think alike.

 

[DOC-404]

Have a look at this site, you might find some useful info...

http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=3

 

[drew416]

Hate to be a nay-Sayer, but, I don't think that a No.4 action will like a 200gn er being pushed out at 2400fps.
Might be alright in those fabulous Ruger No.1's in 303, but in a SMLE N0.4, you are pushing the envelope.

Woodleigh 215gn are a maximum load with 39.5gn of ADI 2208, same as Varget similar to your S355. These are going out at 2250-2280fps and stiff extraction and flat primers in the rear locking N0.4 of mine.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

Velodog!!! thanks, it´s good to me to read your comments!
jajaja!!! de a poco, vamos a ir progresando! yo con mi ingles y tu con tu español! jajaja
drew416! I understand your lack of confidence... 2400 FPS perhaps ... is an LIMIT velocity....
In my country, the options with the powder types are very (very) few.... But the caliber 303 british is very close to my favourite caliber... the 7,65x54 mauser... the ballistic and effects are equal to! but... the mauser have a "plus" because the shell capacyty...
However... in my rifle MAuser, I shot 200 grs at 2400 FPS, in a full charge, using A27 powder (made in Argentina...) But, usually use bullets of 180gr... 200 is too much!

 

[Velo Dog]

Velodog!!! thanks, it´s good to me to read your comments!
jajaja!!! de a poco, vamos a ir progresando! yo con mi ingles y tu con tu español! jajaja
drew416! I understand your lack of confidence... 2400 FPS perhaps ... is an LIMIT velocity....
In my country, the options with the powder types are very (very) few.... But the caliber 303 british is very close to my favourite caliber... the 7,65x54 mauser... the ballistic and effects are equal to! but... the mauser have a "plus" because the shell capacyty...
However... in my rifle MAuser, I shot 200 grs at 2400 FPS, in a full charge, using A27 powder (made in Argentina...) But, usually use bullets of 180gr... 200 is too much!

Marcos,

Gracias, egualmente mi amigo.

Viva El .303 !
Velo Dog.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

The correct word is "igualmente"... but very nice spanish!!!
Felicitaciones mi amigo! Estas en el camino correcto!... sigue asi!
The .303 british is a good caliber... like my 7,65x54
Slower than the most populars "magnums" but quite accurate and lethals!