Can anyone give a good source for some reduced .303 British loads? I would like something using .311 123-124 grain bullets. Is it safe to reduce the loads in the manuals down to a point where I am getting a nice light load that shoots to the same point of aim as my 180 grain handloads? Would it be safe to take a load for the 7.62x39 and use that as a starting point (reduced to start with) to get what I am looking for?
Reduced .303 British loads
- Thread starter goon
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Jim Watson
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I don't think the 7.62x39 is near enough to be of use.
I looked in my Lyman manual and saw two things that might be helpful.
1. .30-40 Krag loads for 150 grain bullets are the SAME as for 150 gr .303.
2. They don't show loads for lighter bullets in .303, but for .30-40 they DO.
I don't see how you could get in trouble loading a 123 grain AK bullet in .303 with the same load as for a 130 grain in a Krag.
As a safety margin I would not load the 123 any heavier than what is shown for a 150 gr .303.
I would use 4895, which is said to be the most flexible of the medium burning rifle powders, safe and uniform down to 60% of maximum.
I looked in my Lyman manual and saw two things that might be helpful.
1. .30-40 Krag loads for 150 grain bullets are the SAME as for 150 gr .303.
2. They don't show loads for lighter bullets in .303, but for .30-40 they DO.
I don't see how you could get in trouble loading a 123 grain AK bullet in .303 with the same load as for a 130 grain in a Krag.
As a safety margin I would not load the 123 any heavier than what is shown for a 150 gr .303.
I would use 4895, which is said to be the most flexible of the medium burning rifle powders, safe and uniform down to 60% of maximum.
cropcirclewalker
member
Somewhere, can't remember where, I saw the recipe.......8.5 gr Unique
Just yesterday I tried it with
1) 120 gr. LRN (I think a lee moulded for the M1 Carbine, .309, gas checked)
2) Bullets I pulled from Chinese 7.62x39 corrosive ammo, 123 gr FMJBT
Fun to shoot, almost no recoil, holes touching at 25 yds, 2" at 50 yds, 5" group at 100 yds outa my No. 4 Enfield with iron sights. Then I ran out of ammo. I tapped the cartridge to try to collect the powder at the end near the primer, but I think I read that I didn't have to.
It was fun to hear the bullet smack the berm at the other end.
edited to add...I cranked the ladder sight up to about 350 yds except maybe 450 for the 100 yds. YMMV.
Just yesterday I tried it with
1) 120 gr. LRN (I think a lee moulded for the M1 Carbine, .309, gas checked)
2) Bullets I pulled from Chinese 7.62x39 corrosive ammo, 123 gr FMJBT
Fun to shoot, almost no recoil, holes touching at 25 yds, 2" at 50 yds, 5" group at 100 yds outa my No. 4 Enfield with iron sights. Then I ran out of ammo. I tapped the cartridge to try to collect the powder at the end near the primer, but I think I read that I didn't have to.
It was fun to hear the bullet smack the berm at the other end.
edited to add...I cranked the ladder sight up to about 350 yds except maybe 450 for the 100 yds. YMMV.
How does 4895 run through a powder measure? I have used 4320 before but it wasn't the most consistent. I did get it to work by adjusting my powder measure (Lyman) a different way but I prefer ball or flake powder when I can use them. I guess that with light loads so far below the max you wouldn't have to be quite as conscious of the charge as long as some QC is exercised. (How far off the mark am I on this one?)
I really just want them to be minute of clay pigeon at 100 yards and minute of steel chicken at 200 yards. I could load them with the utmost precision if I need to impress someone or use them to hunt something but if they are safe with a little variation in charge weight I would probably just load and shoot them that way. I also have some .310 bullets that were pulled from 7.62x25 rounds when my dad reloaded them with hollowpoints.
I think that the loads with 4895 are in a couple of my reloading manuals so all I need is a pound of powder to try them.
Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions. 303British.com has been added to my favorites.
Keep 'em coming.
I really just want them to be minute of clay pigeon at 100 yards and minute of steel chicken at 200 yards. I could load them with the utmost precision if I need to impress someone or use them to hunt something but if they are safe with a little variation in charge weight I would probably just load and shoot them that way. I also have some .310 bullets that were pulled from 7.62x25 rounds when my dad reloaded them with hollowpoints.
I think that the loads with 4895 are in a couple of my reloading manuals so all I need is a pound of powder to try them.
Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions. 303British.com has been added to my favorites.
Keep 'em coming.
cropcirclewalker
member
I would be real interested in hearing how you make out with the 4895. I have several lbs which I use for my 06 and 303 military reloads.
HEY! Please remember to visually check the bore after fireing one of these, till you get confident that the bullet is making it out the end of the barrell.
HEY! Please remember to visually check the bore after fireing one of these, till you get confident that the bullet is making it out the end of the barrell.
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