Thread: .303 loads

Greetings,
Velocity in .303 rifles can be extremely variable due to the amount of erosion in the throats from firing the old cordite ammo which was very erosive. The second problem is that the chambers can be large and the headspace, which is measured on the rim, can be generous as well. The two .303 old soldiers I have here both have like new barrels and shoot well and are loaded with light loads in neck sized cases. These rifles produce velocities a little under the Hodgdon data and well above what is likely to be produced in a worn barrel. The Hornady 174 grain round nose projectile has shot well in 3 different Lee Enfields so might be a good place to start, Work up to a max of 38 grains of AR2206H which should give between 2,200 and 2,400 fps depending on barrel condition. Keeping loads below the level that you need to FL size and neck sizing cases should give significantly better case life. The .303 is not a rifle for a novice handloader.
Regards Grandpamac.