303 British Powder

[ArchAngelCD]

I started loading the 303 British a while back and can't seem to find an accurate load. Factory ammo is shooting better. I load for other rifle cartridges with a high level of success.

I'm using BL-C(2) powder and a quality 174gr bullet. I'm shooting a surplus Enfield rifle with a barrel with strong rifling.

Anyone have a pet powder I can try since I used up the pound of BL-C(2) powder I had. I have powders and wouldn't mind buying more.

PLEASE no lectures about every gun being different and I know powder isn't the only factor in accuracy. Please just suggest a powder you have had success with.

 

[Duster340]

IMR3031 is my go to 303 British powder. Getting excellent accuracy with 150, 174 and 180 grain bullets in my Bubba'd No4Mk1. IMR4895 a very close 2nd. Found about 1gr below max loads to be the Sweet Spot in my rifle.

 

[mokin]

I will vouch for the suggestions Duster340 made. I am also a fan of 3031. I don't have any load data available for that powder right off though...

I started using H414 5-6 years ago and have stuck with that since though. Forty-five grains under a 180 grain Speer with a magnum primer produces 2154 fps at the muzzle. Actual chronograph data, not load book. This translates into a 2" group at 100 yards with my sporterized No1 Mk III (truck gun). I seldom get more than 6-7 loads per case but I have a good idea where the bullets will hit.

 

[DocRock]

Another vote for IMR4895. I load 30-40 for a Ruger No. 3 much hotter than traditional Krag loads. The 30-40 and 303 cases are very, very similar. I’ve worked up a load for elk of 175 grs Berger VLD over 45grs IMR4895. It’s giving me 2610 FPS out of a 22” barrel and a member here very kindly ran it on Quickload and it came out at 54,000 psi pressure. I have also used IMR 3031 but have had a lot of vertical stringing at higher load densities.

 

[armoredman]

3031 is what I used.

 

[GBExpat]

IMR3031 with flatbase 174s retrieved from pulled-down ancient, problematic Mk7 ammo.

I haven't loaded any in a long time because (a) I haven't shot any of my British Enfields in awhile and (2) I am relatively well-stocked with milsurp acquired in the last/first decade.

 

[Slamfire]

I'm shooting a surplus Enfield rifle with a barrel with strong rifling.

Those rifles were not 1 MOA when issued. With a No 4 rifle, four MOA was considered good with period ammunition, the SMLE's were even worse. Barrels varied in diameter, and I found fore end bedding to be critical. My Savage Lee Enfield No 4 MK1 would not stay on a 8.5 X 11 target at 100 yards. When I removed the stock screw the forend fell off. This rifle was new, it had not been issued or fired since it left the factory.





bedding the forend to the receiver, the first groups were two inches at 100 yards. Might have been a fluke because it will reliably group around three to three and a half inches at 100 yards.

I found IMR 4064 to be a good powder.

 

[dh1633pm]

I use IMR4064 for all my Enfield loads. Without reviewing my notes (packed for my impending move) I think I used 175 grain bullets.

 

[Vince45]

I have a Ruger no 1 in 303 British , I am using AR2208 known as Varget in the states , 41 grains for 2463 fps behind 174 Hornady projectiles about 1.75 Moa at 100 yards

 

[Slamfire]

I have a Ruger no 1 in 303 British , I am using AR2208 known as Varget in the states , 41 grains for 2463 fps behind 174 Hornady projectiles about 1.75 Moa at 100 yards

Good data, that sure reads as a service rifle equivalent load. With a Ruger #1 you should not be limited to service rifle pressures or velocities, you should be able to bump up the cartridge to 308 Winchester performance levels. I have not seen a Ruger # 1 in 303 Brit in the US, but I have seen many in 30-06.

 

[Vince45]

A lot were shipped to Canada , Australia , New Zealand etc , all Commonwealth countries with a rich history of the 303 British as an armed service cartridge . I have had several shoulder ops so don't want to have it kick any harder as the no 1 sportier is a lot lighter than the No 4 etc . The factory 180 Remington has no problem putting down Red Deer and big Boars which are common in Queensland . I also have a 308 in a Browning A Bolt if needed

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thank you everyone. I have plenty of 3031, 4895 and 4064 on hand so I can load all 3 and see which shows promise. The info is appreciated for sure.

 

[JohnB-40]

I found Varget powder with a Hornady #3130 (.312") projectile and PPU brass a great combo for my #5 rifle. Enfield service rifles like flat based projectiles

 

[the Black Spot]

Varget and 4895, don't forget 2400 for lower velocity

 

[mdi]

Same as my 30-06 powders; IMR 4064 and IMR 4895...

 

[GooseGestapo]

My #4Mk1 shoots fine with BLC2. It’s the bullet that matters.
I’ve not found a more accurate bullet than the Hornady .312” 174gr BTHpt sold exclusively by Grafs. I load 43gr (Hodgdons starting ) for just over 2,400fps duplicating the MkVII load. My Fazerkerley’43 was FTR sometime after WWII and has a like-new BSA barrel. Probably unfired until imported to US.
It also likes the 150gr Hornady.312”
I much prefer the PPU brass. I seat the bullets longer than suggested in manuals, but short enough to feed from the magazine.
I see about 2moa. However, I came in second in a Vintage Military match to a Savage #4Mk2 with a match rear sight shooting Sierra MatchKings (.311” 174gr). Next time I’ll shoot my ‘43 Remington 03-A3 with 155gr A-max!
Left “flyer” was first, cold-bore shot before I gave it two clicks right. 1st five shots after purchase from CMP. That same zero (100yds) puts them in the center of a SR-2 bull at 200yds.
Now I know why my dad chose to carry the identical rifle in WWII.!

sorry for the thread drift...

 

[Random 8]

You've gotten sound advice on powder. I must add one unsolicited tip on bullet selection specific to older military rifles. I have found flat based bullets, particularly of the round nosed variety, to wring the most accuracy out of oversized chambers and bores.

 

[WiTom]

I just got done loading up 50 PPU rounds, with 41.2 grains, of Varget, after shooting 10 of them, on the range, last week.

 

[joneb]

I have no experience with that cartridge, but if I found myself loading for one I would try Varget or IMR XBR 8208 because I have them

 

[cheygriz]

4895,4064,3031, 4320 will all work well.