Reloads for 25/303

[Brent2172]

I've got a Lee Enfield No. 1 manufactured 1897 at Sparkbrooke ( UK) and it's been converted from .303 to 25/303 - the previous owner had been firing factory ammo which was made in Australia up to a few years back. I've got some of the factory ammo that came with the rifle but I am holding off using that.
I am getting a set of dies, have new brass and both cast and jacketed projectiles.
Does anyone have any experience with reloading and shooting this round ? I have some reloading data from the ADI Handbook as the 25/303 ( also known as 303/25) was a fairly common configuration in Australia since WWII.

regards

Brent2172

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Brent2172. Here's some load data for your 25-303.
Be safe and good shooting.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=380



NCsmitty

 

[armoredman]

Never even heard of it,how interesting. Neat way to make my 25-06 and No4Mk1* use the same bullets...

 

[MMCSRET]

Nick Harvey published a couple of editions of a Reloading data book for Australian and New Zealand. Find a copy at a used book store or gun shop. I bought the 2nd edition in Perth in 1985, it is copyrighted 1980. Lots of data centered around the 303 variations using powders from the world sources and local brands. Good shooting!!!!!!!

 

[Kernel]

Brent,

Your 25-303 is a near twin of the .257 Roberts. The Roberts case typically holds 56 grains of water and a 303 case will hold 57. Your 303 based cartridge has a slightly longer OAL than the Roberts, meaning (presumably), it will hold a few more grains of powder (seating the bullet further out conserves powder space). Pressure wise they are also a good match since they both have a SAAMI pressure spec of 45,000 cup.

All this means, IMO, any manufacturer's published load for the .257 Roberts should be safe in your rifle, and you could probably even work it up a few more grains and still be safe. You should be able to find lots of good load data on the Robets with any bullet and powder combination you can imagine.

I modeled your 25-303 cartridge in my modified Powley Computer. With bullet weights in the 85-100 gr range it liked powders that are on the medium-to-slow side of the scale. The sweet spot is right around 4895 and N135. To the slightly slower side, Varget and Reloader 17 would also be good choices. To the slightly faster side, in the range of 4064 and N530.

 

[Brent2172]

Reload Data for 25/303

NCsmitty : Thank you for the welcome and the website - I will check that out.
armoredman: Yes, the 25/303 ( or 303/25) was originally very popular in Australia particularly as a medium game hunting calibre. It fires a .257 projectile out of a necked down .303 case.

MMCSRET : Good advice on Nick Harvey publications - he's got a fairly current one out now and I will have a look around - maybe on ebay - for some older versions which may as you suggest have the information I need.

Kernel : Thank you for your detailed reply - I was thinking the .257 Roberts compared similarly with the 25/303 - I will go back to my Barnes,Lyman and Lee reloading books.
Once again thank you all for replying.
regards
Brent2172

 

[Remo-99]

from ADI's site,

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/index.asp

87gr bullet AR2208(Varget) 37.0gr(max) 3050fps.

87gr bullet AR2209(H4350) 41.0gr(max) 3050fps.

100gr bullet AR2208 33.5gr(max) 2850fps.

100gr bullet AR2209 38.0gr(max) 2850fps.

117gr bullet AR2208 31.0gr(max) 2700fps.

117gr bullet AR2209 36.0gr(max) 2700fps.

start at approx 10% below max charges and work up.

 

[Brent2172]

Hi Rem0-99
Thank you for the information from ADI.
I also emailed the ADI Enquiry Desk as I wanted to ascertain data for a reduced load with cast projectiles for the 25/303 using Trail Boss powder. ADI emailed back advising they had no specific data for the 25/303 but they gave me information on what they call the " Trail Boss 70% Rule " - this is :- "Take an empty case in the particular calibre ( I guess this refers to any case and calibre ) and fill it with Trail Boss to a point at which it would just touch the base of a seated bullet and weigh that amount. Then take 70% of the result and use that as a starting load with a cast bullet of typical weight."
I am only repeating the details ADI sent me so I would suggest, in the interests of reloading safety, anyone wanting to use this Trail Boss 70% Rule should confirm the details with ADI for themselves.
Once again, thank you for your reply.
Brent2172