.303 British - Commercially produced cast bullet options?

[Tallinar]

I am toying with the idea of getting back into loading .303 British, and I'm doing some recon on component options. I reloaded these for awhile years ago, but ended up selling all my components/dies when I had lost interest and figured I could always reacquire things if I ever gained interest again. Oops...

I am not presently tooled up to cast my own bullets, and am not sure I am prepared to get into that game, so I am looking for commercially available options. Missouri Bullet Co has been my go-to for cast bullets, but it doesn't appear to me that they produce anything tailored to .303 British. They do have a 120gr .313 bullet for .32-20 that could be suitable for light loads, but not exactly what I'd be looking for.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a cast bullet producer who sells bullets sized up as high as .314 in the 150-200gr range?

Thanks.

 

[Roverguy]

Montana Bullet Works do a Lyman 314299 (200 grs) with sizes from .313-.315 and a 180 grs Saeco .311-.313.

 

[Tallinar]

Thanks! I had seen these ones. This was the only outfit I found so far. Wonder if anyone knows of any others?

 

[riverats]

Disregard

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Here is an article on the 303 British information site you might find useful.

https://303british.com/cast-bullets-in-the-lee-enfield-rifle/

Same article, different format in case you are using a tablet or something with a small screen:
http://www.303british.com/id37.html

As for bullets, you might try writing Missouri Bullets and ask them if they can size one of their .321" bullets down to what you want or possible not squeeze their .309" or .311" bullets that diameter. Maybe they drop slightly larger before sizing. You might want to use a Hi-Tek coated bullet too.

If you can find a cast bullet for the 7.7mm cartridge it's the same size as the bullet used in the 303 British. Sorry I don't know where to get them right now.

 

[Tallinar]

Here is an article on the 303 British information site you might find useful.

https://303british.com/cast-bullets-in-the-lee-enfield-rifle/

Same article, different format in case you are using a tablet or something with a small screen:
http://www.303british.com/id37.html

As for bullets, you might try writing Missouri Bullets and ask them if they can size one of their .321" bullets down to what you want or possible not squeeze their .309" or .311" bullets that diameter. Maybe they drop slightly larger before sizing. You might want to use a Hi-Tek coated bullet too.

If you can find a cast bullet for the 7.7mm cartridge it's the same size as the bullet used in the 303 British. Sorry I don't know where to get them right now.

Good idea. I went ahead and inquired of Missouri Bullet Co. if they could size their 120gr RN .313's to .314 or .315. Will report back on what I learn.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Good idea. I went ahead and inquired of Missouri Bullet Co. if they could size their 120gr RN .313's to .314 or .315. Will report back on what I learn.

I hope it works out.

 

[Roverguy]

Sizing a cast bullet up or down more than .003” is generally frowned upon as likely causing deleterious deformation with associated negative impact on accuracy.

 

[Tallinar]

Fyi, nice lady at Missouri Bullet Co informed me that they can size them .314, with a 2 box minimum order size.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I am toying with the idea of getting back into loading .303 British, and I'm doing some recon on component options. I reloaded these for awhile years ago, but ended up selling all my components/dies when I had lost interest and figured I could always reacquire things if I ever gained interest again. Oops...

I am not presently tooled up to cast my own bullets, and am not sure I am prepared to get into that game, so I am looking for commercially available options. Missouri Bullet Co has been my go-to for cast bullets, but it doesn't appear to me that they produce anything tailored to .303 British. They do have a 120gr .313 bullet for .32-20 that could be suitable for light loads, but not exactly what I'd be looking for.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a cast bullet producer who sells bullets sized up as high as .314 in the 150-200gr range?

Thanks.

Quality Cast. https://quality-cast.com/303-british-200gr-gcsp/

 

[Old Hobo]

Here is an article on the 303 British information site you might find useful.

https://303british.com/cast-bullets-in-the-lee-enfield-rifle/

Same article, different format in case you are using a tablet or something with a small screen:
http://www.303british.com/id37.html

As for bullets, you might try writing Missouri Bullets and ask them if they can size one of their .321" bullets down to what you want or possible not squeeze their .309" or .311" bullets that diameter. Maybe they drop slightly larger before sizing. You might want to use a Hi-Tek coated bullet too.

If you can find a cast bullet for the 7.7mm cartridge it's the same size as the bullet used in the 303 British. Sorry I don't know where to get them right now.

One of the articles you list makes the point that with such cast bullets, gas checks are necessary. Important info, that.

 

[AJC1]

I have a 7.7 and I have yet to get started. I was gracefully provided a sample by a fellow member here to try and if they work good. I'll buy the same mold or one very close. There are two choices, use what's available or take control and be your own source. I wonder what it would take to build a primer factory in my back yard.

 

[redbullitt]

You could likely get a lee sizer die and size bullet to whatever your rifle needs. They are affordable and work very well. Noe makes a trick sizing setup too.

Have you slugged your bore? Will save time and precious components.

My rifle came to me cheap since previous owner couldnt get it to shoot with jacketed or commercial cast. It shoots well with my noe cast .315 or .316 bullet, but terribly with the normal stuff.

One issue i found... the rcbs dies i have, including their neck sizer and even the lyman m die sized my necks too small for the fat bullet and wound up sizing down my bullets a little, enough to cause a very leady bore lol. I think they are intended for .312ish bullets, so may be wise to load and pull a couple to make sure this isnt happening. I had to use an noe neck expander to get the case necks where i wanted them for .003 tension, otherwise very poor results.

Once that was sorted, no leading unless i overdrive my plain bases. Lyman starting load of 11g of unique, and 220g plain base bullets shoots very well and works great as a reduced load. Accuracy is into 2 inches at 100 yards with irons and pop can GC. A little bigger with Plain base.

 

[Old Hobo]

I have a 7.7 and I have yet to get started. I was gracefully provided a sample by a fellow member here to try and if they work good. I'll buy the same mold or one very close. There are two choices, use what's available or take control and be your own source. I wonder what it would take to build a primer factory in my back yard.

You may wish to re-think that. Priming compounds are VERY volatile/dangerous. Buy, beg, steal the primers you need.

https://goneoutdoors.com/make-primers-cartridges-8031176.html





White powder is strike-anywhere match-tips (only the white part) mixed with ground glass, the fluid is 95% rubbing alcohol.




https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/07/19/primer-on-primers/

 

[AJC1]

You may wish to re-think that. Priming compounds are VERY volatile/dangerous. Buy, beg, steal the primers you need.

https://goneoutdoors.com/make-primers-cartridges-8031176.html





White powder is strike-anywhere match-tips (only the white part) mixed with ground glass, the fluid is 95% rubbing alcohol.




https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/07/19/primer-on-primers/

I slept next to thermal nuclear weapons for over two decades and snuggled torpedoes so close as a nub I had neverseze all over my underwear, my middle name is danger. Now if I could just have the primers to, all would be right with the world.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I slept next to thermal nuclear weapons for over two decades and snuggled torpedoes so close as a nub I had neverseze all over my underwear, my middle name is danger. Now if I could just have the primers to, all would be right with the world.

You need a motorcycle.

Seriously.

 

[AJC1]

Yep

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

View attachment 1104368 Yep

How did I not know that?
I went through four bikes in ten years. Only one incident was my own doing. I quit riding when the commute to work got longer and I had to be on the road during rush hour. It just stopped being fun. Same for service rifle shoots. When it got competitive enough for it to also get personal I stopped. It stopped being fun at that point. If you do make your own primers, do yourself a favor and get some legal advice first - if you haven’t already. Nobody wants to be on the ATF’s bad side. Even if their name is Dangerously.

 

[AJC1]

How did I not know that?
I went through four bikes in ten years. Only one incident was my own doing. I quit riding when the commute to work got longer and I had to be on the road during rush hour. It just stopped being fun. Same for service rifle shoots. When it got competitive enough for it to also get personal I stopped. It stopped being fun at that point. If you do make your own primers, do yourself a favor and get some legal advice first - if you haven’t already. Nobody wants to be on the ATF’s bad side. Even if their name is Dangerously.

I've had that bike from New and I transition from ridding with my girlfriend to my son.... so my bike gifted me a shooting partner....

 

[Buzznrose]

I slept next to thermal nuclear weapons for over two decades and snuggled torpedoes so close as a nub I had neverseze all over my underwear, my middle name is danger. Now if I could just have the primers to, all would be right with the world.

Sounds like you worked in SAC…..

BTDT.

 

[Buzznrose]

Sorry. Torpedoes…musta been USN on a nuclear warship.

Thanks for that, Brother.