Thread: .303 loads

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.