Thread: Resurgence of interest in the old "Three Oh"?

Greetings @bumblefoot,
I think that question has been answered. The .303 has a strong case approaching the capacity of the .308. Some have improved its performance in a P 14 up to .308 factory level.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Stop it you smooth talking devil. You will get us all into trouble. I have seen just one .303 double rifle and I really don't want to know what they cost. Had an old Martini Enfield but the barrel was shagged and the rest of it beggared. It is now a Martini Krag. It will have to do.
Regards Grandpamac.

@grandpamac I have a good friend with a Bonehill 303 double circa 1895 and proofed for 215 grain projectiles
Bores are 9.5/10
Exterior is 9/10
I have handled it often but never shot it
He offered to sell it to me several years ago for 12k
Which I think was a fair price
When I asked to have a really good look at it some time later to dig in to it's value etc he couldn't remember which safe it was in
Just his way of saying he didn't want to sell it and maybe had thought 12k would kill my interest
My problem isn't the money it's that I would want to take it hunting
And it's better that I not own high end collectors pieces
But one day when his guard is down I might mention it again and see where he is at in it

I can't find my images of it but it's barrel widths are identical to a Merkel 20 gauge shotgun
So you could build a very nice hunting 303 double rifle on a good donor 20 gauge

For a single shot
Well a #5 rolling block action would be perfect as they are later production nitro proofed

Failing finding a #5 I have ordered two sets of Field's patent 1877 rifle action castings from the USA and one of them might become a 303 one day

Fucking awesome!

The thin barrel was designed to be supported by the wood in the middle of the forend and towards the nose cap of the two first Rifle Marks.This enabled a thin barrel to be "tamed" as it heated up,as well as insulating the barrel so mirage didnt disrupt the sight picture in addition to keeping flesh away from the hot barrel.

After 15 rounds through my K98 I have problems with mirage,I cant remember ever having problems with mirage from any 303 .

Greetings All, Here is my Martini chambered for the .30-40 Krag aka the 30 Purdey Flanged Nitro Express on one of its walkies in the Kaweka's. Light loads are used with in a 140 year old action and it shoots better than some Ruger No 1 rifles. 30 cal target barrel with 1 in 12 inch twist.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Attachment 179051

Enfield are awesome.

Wow....a couple that old they're mumifed?

Originally Posted by Maxx

Wow....a couple that old they're mumifed?

Photo courtesy of the owner. All made in 1955, we're they were put into grease wrap. 2 degreased and are used, 2 still in the grease wrap and will stay that way.

A silly little video of the 303 hunt! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRAkYOWzXuA

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

A silly little video of the 303 hunt! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRAkYOWzXuA

Excellent! Well done and thks for sharing. Made me hungry for the bush sitting here in lockdown.

@grandpamac How cool is this?

https://www.magnumimports.co.nz/coll...-rifle-303brit

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@grandpamac How cool is this?

https://www.magnumimports.co.nz/coll...-rifle-303brit

Attachment 180680

@bumblefoot you are a very bad man for drawing my attention to that rifle. The only thing that may save me is that it is a far too pretty rifle to take in the bush. Still good to know that there are still some rifles chambered in .303 Brit. The Winchester 1885 may have been chambered for it during its life, I know that the 1895 and the Remington rolling block were.
Regards Grandpamac.

@grandpamac I'd probably need a scope for my eyes though. A plain Jane 4x32 or 4x40 I suppose. I remember thinking when I was younger (and recently!) about having a custom 303 rifle made. Not a flash Harry; just a modern action, new barrel; and everyday hunting style stock.... I don't know why I love the 303 so much! I think it's the heritage and NZ history. I enjoy watching vids like this where they bring the old rifles out to hunt. In this case a 32-40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHf-H3MsVFA

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@grandpamac I'd probably need a scope for my eyes though. A plain Jane 4x32 or 4x40 I suppose. I remember thinking when I was younger (and recently!) about having a custom 303 rifle made. Not a flash Harry; just a modern action, new barrel; and everyday hunting style stock.... I don't know why I love the 303 so much! I think it's the heritage and NZ history. I enjoy watching vids like this where they bring the old rifles out to hunt. In this case a 32-40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHf-H3MsVFA

Greetings Again @bumblefoot,
I seem to have developed a strong liking for single shot rifles. Surprisingly there seems to be plenty available well north of a century after they were rendered obsolete as a military rifle. As well as the .303 and .30-40 Krag there are lots of really neat rimmed metric rounds in the 6.5 and 7mm range that would be ideal for all NZ hunting, the 6.5 x 57 R being a good example. I also could probably afford one at least but generally talk myself out of it. Not an uncommon event for those early boomers who heard the depression stories when we were young.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

@bumblefoot you are a very bad man for drawing my attention to that rifle. The only thing that may save me is that it is a far too pretty rifle to take in the bush. Still good to know that there are still some rifles chambered in .303 Brit. The Winchester 1885 may have been chambered for it during its life, I know that the 1895 and the Remington rolling block were.
Regards Grandpamac.

pretty sure I know where a sadly neglected winchester 303 is...one day may just have to chase that up...there is photo of one in Philip Holdens wild pig book I seem to recall.

@Bublefoot......a 7.62x39mm Bakail can be rechambered........its one of two conversions on my radar to do...the other is same rifle in 223 converted to hi power savage with .224 diameter barrel.