Thread: .303 loads

I am back messing with my .303 again. I chronographed some factory loads one time, and PPU / Highland 180 grain bullets were getting between 2100 and 2200 fps. The Winchester Powerpoints 180 grain were going 2100 fps. This is on a par with my .32 Special carbine, and not much better than a .30-30.

I have reloaded the .303 (with Varget) quite a bit in the past, but never actually chronographed my handloads in a SMLE that I can remember. (Or wrote down)

I am looking for a 180 grain load that will clock an honest 2300-2400fps from a SMLE. Has anyone chrono'd 41 grains of 2208 and a 180 grain bullet, or has something with either 2208 or 2209 that is in the ball park?

Cant help with your 180 grain bullet but 45ish years ago I used to load 174 grain rn Hornady to 2250/2300 fps with 36grains of 3031. The chrono I built at the time was an oscillator and had to shoot through 2 wires(1 to start and 1 to stop the oscillator)and was fairly accurate. Primers showed highish pressure and case life was about 3 loadings. Neck sized only with CAC brass. These days I only shoot 220 grain cast and that's at the range.

You want Stephen Redgwell's book 'shooting the 303 British' He lists some loads for the sierra 180, Varget (2208) min 36.5grns @ 2074fps, max 40.5grns 2288fps, H4350(2209) min 42grns @2101fps, max 46grns @ 2283, Alliant R15 min 39.5@2255, max 43.5@2435fps. So there you go look at powders around the reloader 15. Just checked ADI and they list 2209 at 48grns @ 2500fps

Yeah I know of his stuff, but his stuff seems a bit weak, I think he shoots cast bullets a lot or something. I was hoping someone had chronographed some the book 180 grain loads

geez-the Winchester powerpoints and ppu only getting just 2100fps?
I've yet to get some 303 ammo for my project-no rush-but that's a bit naff really.

As the 303 is now 120years old, I suspect factory loads have gotten weaker. I've pulled s&b 174's and stuck 180grn sierra's in, shot real well and accurate.

Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

I am back messing with my .303 again. I chronographed some factory loads one time, and PPU / Highland 180 grain bullets were getting between 2100 and 2200 fps. The Winchester Powerpoints 180 grain were going 2100 fps. This is on a par with my .32 Special carbine, and not much better than a .30-30.

I have reloaded the .303 (with Varget) quite a bit in the past, but never actually chronographed my handloads in a SMLE that I can remember. (Or wrote down)

I am looking for a 180 grain load that will clock an honest 2300-2400fps from a SMLE. Has anyone chrono'd 41 grains of 2208 and a 180 grain bullet, or has something with either 2208 or 2209 that is in the ball park?

These are rounds loaded with AR2206. Jungle Carbine 35gr 180gr Sierra for a 5 shot average of 2038fps and 150gr 40gr for 5 shot average 2439fps. Factory 180gr Jugoslavija 5 shot average 2319fps. CAC factory 150gr 8 shot average 2572 fps.
Using a No 1 MK111 CAC 150 gr Factory 8 shot average was 2727. Jugoslavija factory 180gr average of 2430fps. 180gr Sierra with 37gr Ar2206 8 shot average of 2192fps. Hornady 150gr with 40gr AR2206 10 shot average of 2495fps.

Just seen this thread interesting, Ill get the chrony out today and run my load over it with the no4, and lithgow along with some mk VII. Never thought of this before just shot it but this has me interested.

Outlander, what brand do you mean by Jugoslavia factory? PPU? If so the box I had chrono'd 300 fps less than yours....

@CarlsenHighway What is the barrel length of your 303? Is it shortened down as a bush rifle? With a 300fps drop in speed as mentioned above, it is almost what I would expect out of a 14 inch barrel from a 303 shorty.....but not what I would expect out of a 24 inch barrel.

@timattalon from our discussions you are getting close to that with your 215gr hammers. At least you have a bit of weight and mass to help with the slower speed.
This was the sort of thing I was after in my question a couple of months back. If that was all I could get I will get my little loadall cranked up.

Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

Outlander, what brand do you mean by Jugoslavia factory? PPU? If so the box I had chrono'd 300 fps less than yours....

My apologies, that should read Factory bought YUGOSLAVIA ammo. Bear in mind that the Jungle Carbine has a 19" barrel as opposed to the MK111 with 25".

I have a 14.6 inch barrelled carbine that delivers 2018 fps with a 194 gr paper patch bullet over 44 gr AR2209. Paper patched bullets are faster than jacketed.
My 1902 Lee Enfield fitted with a No4 barrel gave me 2395 fps with Speer 180 gr RN over 38.6 gr MR200 (Somchem powder) and 2690 fps with 150 gr Hornady spire points over 40.9 gr MR200.
I load my No4 to around 2400 fps with Highland 180 grainers with 46.3 grs AR2209. This is a very accurate load in my gun. Pressure is mild.

AR2208 should deliver between 2650 and 2700 fps with 150 gr bullets and AR2209 should deliver up to 2500 fps with 180 grains.

I never get case head separation, even with full power loads.

OK I am going to try 2209 and see how I get on.

No 4 mk1 longbranch 180 gr rn over 41 ar 2208: 2340, 2305, 2365 fps in the lithgow i got 2385, 2425, 2410 fps. Two cac mk VII 42 mnf gave 2230 and 2350. The first one hung fired click-- Bang Im unsure of 180 grains maker possibly speer, I got about 900 of these at an antique arms bring n buy about 15 years ago.
I ended up shooting off about 30 rounds just enjoying these two rifles that dont get out often enough.
Thanks carlson