7.62x39 bullet for .303 British

[Speedyts49]

Can I use the 7.62x39 bullets to reload my .303 british cases?

These people have them at about 10 cents piece as opposed to the $25 for 100 .303 bullets (25 cents) I have been paying
http://www.xtremebullets.com/plated.htm

I'm new to reloading and so far have loaded a few hundred .38 sp and 100 .303 british. I have read as many posts as I can find but can't find the answer to this question.
I could not find an OAL to the 7.62 bullets but know my Speer .303's are .900" 22.86mm.


.303 Speer 125gr
IMR4895 41gr
2.935 coal
Lee Challenger system

 

[rbernie]

In general - yes, you can use 7.62x39 bullets (.3105) in your 303 (.312-.313) bore. You may not get great accuracy, depending on the actual diameter of your Enfield barrel, but it will work. I have done it and for plinking it works fine.

Plated bullets may have a velocity cap, and you will want to contact the manufacturer to ask if your specific bullets of interest have a max velocity recommendation. Exceeding that max velocity will generally result in the plating ripping off at high speed and rapid destabilization of the bullet.

 

[armoredman]

Yep, and I have done vice versa, loading 303 bullets for 7.62x39mm. Let us know how it works.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

some supplier was running a special on Privi Partizan X39 bullets, fmj - just lately but can't recall which one - midsouth, widener's, natchez or who. it was very reasonable prices for 500/lot.
in the past IMI (Israel made) sold fmj slugs at great price but have'nt seen them avaialble in some time.

and Welcome to THR forum.

 

[Speedyts49]

7.62 123gr is the shorter of the two with the longer being a Speer .303 125gr

 

[supergoat343]

Just remember that some of the Enfields have very large bores. Particularly the number fives, these barely accommodate .311 and .312 bullets and may have difficulty with the Russian bullets.

Interesting thought for the caster though, maybe my .312 mold can be a multi-tasker?

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I don't know why the no. 5's would have bigger bores. Mine loves anything from .310 up to .312. I have shot some outstanding groups with some ak bullets and some terrible groups with plated bullets.

 

[armoredman]

Also there is a new player in that caliber - Berrys has a new 125 grain plated .311 bullet, and it runs well at jacketed velocities out of my CZ 527M, without shredding or stripping. Nice FP bullet.