Sierra`s 303 Brit 174 MK?

[Fatelvis]

Has anyone used this bullet in thier 303? Is it noticably more accurate than ball? Just wondering if it is worth trying a box.

 

[SodaPop]

Is that factory ammo you're talking about?

 

[444]

Yes I have used the bullet. But I don't know why I even bothered to answer - the rifle I tried it in isn't really very accurate. The bore has seen better days. I bought it because it was the standard weight bullet for that rifle.

 

[P95Carry]

Only non mil bullet I have tried is the Speer 180 grain semi round nose soft point ....... and that performs well in my back up deer rifle .. a pretty clean MkIV sporterized.

If you want a pic ..... say - I'll take and post one.

 

[Johnny Guest]

More accurate than ball?

Seems to me that it would almost HAVE to be, given a proper powder and good loading technique.

Remember, most military ball - -and commercial equivalent, as well - - is loaded by the millions, and the standards of non-match stuff are NOT too high. And, the vast majority of the milsurp stuff is at least 30 years old.

Several years ago, I worked up a load with the Sierra 180 gr. Pro Hunter bullet, to very closely approximate velocity and trajectory of Mark VII ball. I only tested it out to around 200 or 250 yards, but it was noticibly more accurate than milsurp. The MatchKing bullet is better than the PH, too.

Don't be too shocked, though, if you begin wanting to tweak the accuracy of your SMLE to make it utilize the finer ammo . . . .


Best,
Johnny

 

[444]

Ok, I have to chime back in.
The most accurate loads I tried in my Enfields were those big long round nose softpoints. I always figured it was because the ogive was closer to the lands ?

 

[P95Carry]

those big long round nose softpoints

You must mean the 180's .... there aren't that many to choose from for this cal. I'll have to take a quick pic.

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Here ya go ......

Unfortunately my bore is a tad oversize and if these were .312 I'd prefer it. They still shoot well tho - forget load right now.

 

[Fatelvis]

I hope by using 4895 (H or IMR), and this bullet, to shrink my 3.5" groups at 100 yds, to about 2-2.5", with my No4 Mk2. Sound possible?

 

[444]

Ok P95, I hope you are happy, I had to get up and look.
No, they are Hornady 174 grain Interlok RN.
I didn't realize I had so many freaken bullets in that caliber. I must have over 1000 various bullets; Sierra 174 grain Match bullets, several brands of 150 grain bullets..........................
And I haven't shot a .303 in at least a year.

 

[P95Carry]

Possible I'd say but - load to suit the gun .... which would mean a series of ''work-ups'' methinks. I have figures quoting for H 4895 .... 37 to 40 grains. These are NOT recommendations .. just load manual quoted data. Somewhere in there should be a tight grouper.

I think H 4895 is faster powder than my v N-140 .. which allows for higher velocities ... approaching 2500. I used with the 180 grn Speer ... 40.8 grns v N-140 ... but never chrono'd .. it groups way better than any milsurp. Again ... I am NOT mentioning a specific recommendation.

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Edit to add .........

Ah .. hang on .. note - I was quoting loads for the 180 grainer ... hadn't looked to see what was there for a 174.