Questions Regarding .303 British

Hi guys, I have a nice Parker Hale .303 I am planning on making some reloads for it, and I was wondering if there is any way of knowing with our slugging the barrel what projectiles I should use, .311 or .312?
I like the sound of the Hornady interlock 174gr round nose but I can only find them in .312.
I have some Ar2209 that I use in my .30-06, that I am planning on using in the .303
I’ll be using the rifle for hunting reds and goats.
Any tips, advice and or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Attachment 263192

I am going to be sizing some annealed brass then loading for the 303 with 150gr Sierra and with 4064. Think you might need a faster powder than 2209. Think 748 is also a goodie or 2208. Picked up the powder cheaply so going to use it.

Your projectiles will be fine.pick load from manual that's mild and go fill freezer.

Nice tidy rifle and good looking scope,should be awesome to use standing freehand.

Are those your feet?

AR2209 is perfect for the .303*. And those Hornady 174grain RN** were intended for your rifle. Don't worry about whether its .311 or .312 on the packet. It's a well known bullet for the Lee Enfields.

48 grains of 2209 will get you where you should be - 2400 fps. And safe as houses.

* You dont have to say "British". Your in NZ. It's a .303.
** If you find you have feeding issues, its because of the round nose. (Not the magazine! Dont screw with the magazine.) The SMLE was designed for the pointy spitzers. The fix is that you shorten up on the cartridge overall length until it will feed properly.

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Originally Posted by John Duxbury

Are those your feet?

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ROFL :XD:

3 legged Doberman?

I wouldnt fuck with a Rottweiler who had his own a .303

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Originally Posted by John Duxbury

Are those your feet?

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Full moon when the photo was taken maybe?

Thanks Mighty duck

The scope is an old Bushnell banner 1.5-4 with German post reticle. I believe it’s Japanese made.
I have a vx2 2-7x33 that I am planning to put on it

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Originally Posted by John Duxbury

Are those your feet?

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Haha yeah excuse my toe nails I have been meaning to cut them back.

No that’s my Doberman, good all round dog, good on goats and great guard dog

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Full moon when the photo was taken maybe?

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Teen wolf 1985 Mike J Fox and Susan Ursitti - one of the greatest films of all time

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Originally Posted by John Duxbury

AR2209 is perfect for the .303*. And those Hornady 174grain RN** were intended for your rifle. Don't worry about whether its .311 or .312 on the packet. It's a well known bullet for the Lee Enfields.

48 grains of 2209 will get you where you should be - 2400 fps. And safe as houses.

* You dont have to say "British". Your in NZ. It's a .303.
** If you find you have feeding issues, its because of the round nose. (Not the magazine! Dont screw with the magazine.) The SMLE was designed for the pointy spitzers. The fix is that you shorten up on the cartridge overall length until it will feed properly.

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Thanks for this John Duxbury
I think that’s exactly what I’ll do, I’ll get the 174gr round nose and confirm load data with ADI.
I’ll set the projectile .8mm off the lands and will see how she feeds ay?

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Originally Posted by goatcommander

Haha yeah excuse my toe nails I have been meaning to cut them back.

No that’s my Doberman, good all round dog, good on goats and great guard dog

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Thought it was Doberman...I get the chocolate fish then :)

The Hornady COL is 2.945", your rifling will be miles away from that; and if you do slug the barrel it will be closer to .314" than .312"
the 174 RN is the best bullet to use the 150 gr is too short, the original .303 load was a 215 grain RN paper patched lead bullet loaded with black powder
the Hornady is very close to the original, Norma used to make a 215 grain RN that was very accurate.

Greetings,
The .303 load data is all over the place due to being shot in rifles with different levels of erosion from the hot cordite propellent of military cartridges. I have found the Hodgdon data to be most reliable as it is pressure tested but you will likely get less velocity. Lee Enfields are notoriously tough on brass if full power loads and full length sized cases are used. Neck sizing and keeping the loads down a bit will greatly extend brass life. The 174 grain RN shoots well in most rifles so is a good choice and a great game projectile. Best of luck with the hunting.
Regards Grandpamac.

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Originally Posted by goatcommander

Thanks for this John Duxbury
I think that’s exactly what I’ll do, I’ll get the 174gr round nose and confirm load data with ADI.
I’ll set the projectile .8mm off the lands and will see how she feeds ay?

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Yeah, just put 48 grains in, you cant get enough 2209 in the case to be dangerous. I cant remember if its compressed or not, but dont worry if it is, compressing powder is nothing to worry about. Just lean on it till its seated.
Seat it so the OAL is at 3.022 (or 76.78mm) and see if that feeds alright.