Thread: 25-3000 reloads.

Has anyone or can anyone support the idea of substituting the loading tables for the 250 3000 for use in the 25-303?

Very similar case volume to a 257 Roberts only a grain or so different so that may be a place to start, if it's a Lee Enfield you have to keep pressure down, found this
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.

Originally Posted by outlander

Has anyone or can anyone support the idea of substituting the loading tables for the 250 3000 for use in the 25-303?

Nick Harveys 1980 manual has the two cartridges listed and it looks as if the loads are broadly similar. The .250-303 has a bit more capacity and works at lower pressure. There is a note saying to reduce all charges by 10% for Lee Enfields. This would mean that max charges would be below the .250-3000. Any particular powder you are interested in? I would be ultra careful with any of his loads as most were never pressure tested and copied from other un named scources.
GPM.

Thanks for that. The ADI info that is available, will stay minimal for the duration. I'm looking for powder weights suitable for 75gr through to 100grs. The ADI 250 3000 info available gives all that, hence the query. Mine is an old Sportco Smelly Mk111, so I'm well aware of the measely bolt lock up which makes the Roberts loads untouchable but perhaps not the 250-3000 stuff.

Presently, the only powder I have is AR2208 and thus far, I've managed to send a 100gr Hornady Interlock bullet along @ 2650fps with acceptable accuracy @t 100 metres, using 35grs of 2208 with no obvious overdue pressure signs. The 75gr and 90gr bullet loads are all listed by ADI for the 250 3000 and those are the next under the hammer. Perhaps a middle between start and max load ...

Greetings again,
I have found four different sets of load data for the .250-303 and they are all different. The data from nor-west above is the most recent. One trick I am using with my Lee Enfields is to reduce the powder charge until you can just neck size which will extend case life considerably. At this pressure level the primers usually stick out of the case a bit so it is easy to find.
Regards Grandpamac.

Greetings,
Yes, neck sizing only as I always use the same rifle (no one would want to own TWO 25-303's) . Annealing helps tremendously with the old 303 cases as you would already know. Thanks.