Thread: Looking for load data for 303 british

Originally Posted by bowie1

I have ordered some Hornaday (7.62 x 39 255 grn sub-X Projectiles ) they are measured at 0.3115 inch and i am wanting to try them in my 303 No4 Mk2, full wood, and a BSA P14 (straight bolt sporting rifle) both have brand new barrels and very tight head spacing. My pwoders are AR2206H, AR2209, H380, IMR4831, IMR4350 I have new Winchester and Bertrim Cases and 0nce fired PPU cases. I would like to know of a starting load, both barrels are 1:10 twist I am keen to see if they will stabilise in these rifles Have load data for 215 grns Cheers Gary

While I cannot help with a subsonic load, I use 43.5gr of AR2209 behind a 215gr projectile in 303 brit and. I get about 2100fps with it out of a 18inch barrel and it is accurate...(trajectory like a stone but accurate..) I do not know how the 255gr would fare behind that pressure wise,

The 30/06 uses 45gr of 2209 behind a 250gr to get similar velocity.

If you are want subsonic the you could start with a reduced load or ty some trail boss...

Originally Posted by timattalon

While I cannot help with a subsonic load, I use 43.5gr of AR2209 behind a 215gr projectile in 303 brit and. I get about 2100fps with it out of a 18inch barrel and it is accurate...(trajectory like a stone but accurate..) I do not know how the 255gr would fare behind that pressure wise,

The 30/06 uses 45gr of 2209 behind a 250gr to get similar velocity.

If you are want subsonic the you could start with a reduced load or ty some trail boss...

Ken Waters pet load for 303B IIRC, with 215gn Woodleigh bullets was 45.6gn of RL19 for about 2200 fps - but do the research and check this, I am not handy to my bookshelf at the mo. May not be relevant to powder you have but there has been some RL19 on offer recently I've noticed, FWIW

Originally Posted by Jhon

Ken Waters pet load for 303B IIRC, with 215gn Woodleigh bullets was 45.6gn of RL19 for about 2200 fps - but do the research and check this, I am not handy to my bookshelf at the mo. May not be relevant to powder you have but there has been some RL19 on offer recently I've noticed, FWIW

Thats very close to what I am doing with the 2209. I started in the middle of the min/max suggestions in the ADI book and got the above load. It worked very well. I figured that going to the max to gain about 100fps was not worth the trouble and dropping to minimum would only lose about 150fps. And the short barrel does not help.

As for performance...most of my hunting mates that have seen it in use nicknamed it the Hammer....every animal I have shot with it has been found right where it was when it was hit...like it was hit on the head with a hammer....Those 215gr woodleigh round nose hit HARD......I just have to make sure I hit it...(tried it at a target at 300m- got a very small group....38 inches low but small none the less....and that was inch high at 100)