303 British Powder Choice

[ArchAngelCD]

Above I listed the powders I have on the shelf I feel might be used for loading the 303 British cartridge. I have a few faster powders and a slower one but I'm sure they are out of the range for the 303 British.

For loading a 174gr or 180gr bullet in the 303 British which powder do you think will deliver the best results? I wish I had some BL-C(2) because from everything I read about it, that is probably the best choice.

I added an "other" choice to the Poll in case there is something much better out there than I listed and possible available in the stores. (yeah right, available in the stores lol)

I'm thinking 4895, IMR4064, Varget or 4350 would work well...

Thanks for the help...

 

[loose noose]

archangel, RX-15 in a 174grn jacketed round. Lyman shows a maximum load of 42grns, however when I loaded it I used 40grns for a friend, and he seemed to like it.
Ended up loading 100 rounds for it and he decided to sell it, after he ended up running out of his box of bullets.
Sorry that is my only experience with a .303 British.

 

[119er]

It has been a while since the LE's have been out, but I had good results with 4064 with Sierra 174's. Reloader 15 would probably do pretty well too. I'd have to check my notes but I think I was trying to stay with the lowest pressure and no more than 2400 fps. This is in Lee Enfield No.4's and I don't care to stress them or push it to the edge. 2200-2300 is about where I kept it and it shot pretty well.

 

[rule303]

I mostly load H4895 or Varget in the .303. Both performed very well for me with 174, 180, and 200gr bullets.

 

[boom boom]

H4895 and Varget for FMJ, ditto. Trying to pare down powders to those that cover a broad spectrum including reduced loads.

If I shoot heavy lead bullets, then Accurate's 5744
If I start powdercoating those lead bullets which I am considering, probably start with 5744 and go from there.

 

[Sunray]

Go here. http://www.303british.com/id1.html

 

[jeeptim]

Win-760

 

[FROGO207]

I worked up a load with 30-31 that was great as that was all I had at the time but now I like Varget better with .311 jacketed bullets in the 160-200+ grain range.

 

[8mmman]

Look up the histoy of the 303

and you will find that 3031 was actually used to load the military 303 ammo by the USA I believe. I've had outstanding luck with it.

 

[carbine85]

I said 4895 since it's the only one I have used. I haven't reloaded the 303 in 20 year. I just finished prepping some cases so I thought I would follow along here.

 

[jstein650]

Accurate 2520 under 180gr. RN (Core Lokt, back when one could actually find those) was the best combo for me ever in the .303 Brit. Top velocities and great accuracy. RL-15 looks great on paper, and I have some loaded up with Speer 174's, but haven't been to the range yet with those.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks everyone, I do appreciate the info. Keep the choices coming...

 

[GooseGestapo]

I loaded some Privi Partisan 150gr .311" Soft Points over 44.0gr of RL15 for a friends .303Brit Carbine.
It shot poi/poa at 100yds and grouped better than any of the factory ammo he had. Graf's sells the bullets.

My older brother loaded .311" 150gr Sierra's back in the '70's over IMR4064 for his sporterized Mk3#5. Killed his first deer with it drt.

 

[dprice3844444]

arch angel,get a decent chronograph

 

[ArchAngelCD]

arch angel,get a decent chronograph

How does that answer which powder will deliver the best results?
Why would you assume I don't own and use a chrono?
How does a half sentence drive-by post help the discussion with no reason posted as to why?
I never asked for a powder that would deliver the highest velocities, I asked for "good results" as in accuracy and consistency.

 

[genebofunk]

3031 and hornady 150 SP shot about a 1" group at 100 yards for me.

 

[Kernel]

With a 174 or 180 gr bullet I like 4320, RL-15, and N540.

With 150 gr bullets I like something a bit faster: Varget and 4064

 

[ArchAngelCD]

UPDATE!

I have brass
I bought a set of dies
I have primers CCI-200, CCI #34, CCI BR2 and Win WLR
I just found a box of 174gr Hornady bullets cheap!
I also just found a pound of BL-C(2)

I checked all my manuals and online and found a range of 40.0gr to 46.5gr BL-C(2) under a 174gr RN bullet. I'm not looking for a flamethrower, just a nice shooting ACCURATE load. Anyone have a pet load they wouldn't mind sharing???

Remember, it's just for range use and I don't want to beat up a nice old rifle so accuracy is the thing I'm really looking for... Thanks everyone for all the above posts and powder recommendations...

 

[genebofunk]

Where did you get cheap 174's?

 

[JLDickmon]

BL(C)-2

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Where did you get cheap 174's?

I happened across a very old box of 100 Hornady 174gr 303 bullets that were marked only $19.95! I spent the next few minutes searching the shelf hoping there was another box or two but there was only one. I was very happy to see that box since the various boxes of 174gr and 180gr Sierra bullets were marked $34 and $36...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

BL(C)-2

What does your post mean?
Are you trying to say you don't know that powder?
Are you trying to say I didn't write it correctly because I did. It is BL-C(2).

What were you trying to say? (or were you trying to say nothing?)

 

[gamestalker]

I don't load that one, but my brother in law has for years. I'm pretty he is using H4350 and IMR-4064 for his sporterized one. He has been using that rifle for deer for decades, it has been one very accurate little rig. I just love the .303 british, really fun cartridge to shoot. The throat is all but gone on that rifle, but it still shoots very well considering.

If you would like, I'll give him a jingle tomorrow and get the load details from him for you.

GS

 

[WelshShooter]

I use Ramshot Big Game with 174gr Privi FMJ bullets. I think my load is half way between starting and max load (43gr?), here is my target at 100m with open sights. Once I adjusted for point of aim I managed to get a nice 9 shot group at the centre.

 

[GBExpat]

Nevermind ...