I decided to try casting bullets for my SMLEs in .303. I used a Lee .312 two bullet mold for 155 grain bullets. I lubed the bullets with Carnuba Blue and put on gas checks. I loaded 10 rounds with 44 grains of H4895. As soon as the weather & virus scare shut down I'll hit the range to see what I get. Normally I shoot Hornady .312 spire points.
Enfield test loads
- Thread starter Catcar67
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AJC1
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To bad we all dont have a range in the back yard like Jonnysreloadingbench. I keep asking santa but come up short every year. Load development would happen so much faster 
GooseGestapo
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I think you’ll find you’re over driving them.
I use that load (or something similar) for jacketed, but not cast.
I run the Lee’s with 20-24gr of #2400.
Also, you’ll likely find that you’ll need a .314” (or larger) bullet to get any semblance of accuracy from an Enfield.
My Fazerkerley Mk4#1 has a FTR like new .3115” 5-groove barrel. It shoots under 2moa with Hornady.312” bullets, 3-4moa with Speer or PPU .311” bullets. I had to “beagle” (aluminum tape shim) my Lee .311” and .312” 155gr and 180gr molds and size to .314” to get desired accuracy.
Even powder coated, they need to be .314”.
34.0gr of H4894 with a Lee 200gr RN @.314” roughly duplicates the early cordite loads.
The Hornady.312” 174gr BTHP Match (Grafs exclusive) bullet over 43.0gr of BLC2 duplicates the original MkVII load at lower pressures that really help brass longevity. (Also turns my ‘43 Mosin Nagant refurb into a “horse of a different color”, too. Btw, it likes the “fat” cast boolits too!).
Good luck with your loads. Castbollits.com has a lot of .303Brit info...
And, I do have a backyard range....
I use that load (or something similar) for jacketed, but not cast.
I run the Lee’s with 20-24gr of #2400.
Also, you’ll likely find that you’ll need a .314” (or larger) bullet to get any semblance of accuracy from an Enfield.
My Fazerkerley Mk4#1 has a FTR like new .3115” 5-groove barrel. It shoots under 2moa with Hornady.312” bullets, 3-4moa with Speer or PPU .311” bullets. I had to “beagle” (aluminum tape shim) my Lee .311” and .312” 155gr and 180gr molds and size to .314” to get desired accuracy.
Even powder coated, they need to be .314”.
34.0gr of H4894 with a Lee 200gr RN @.314” roughly duplicates the early cordite loads.
The Hornady.312” 174gr BTHP Match (Grafs exclusive) bullet over 43.0gr of BLC2 duplicates the original MkVII load at lower pressures that really help brass longevity. (Also turns my ‘43 Mosin Nagant refurb into a “horse of a different color”, too. Btw, it likes the “fat” cast boolits too!).
Good luck with your loads. Castbollits.com has a lot of .303Brit info...
And, I do have a backyard range....
Last edited:
JeffG
Member
Sounds good! Cast bullets shoot sweet in milsurps. The slugs sound undersized. Shooting them at 1700-1900fps might work better.
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