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

@grandpamac it was a very respectful load of 41 grains W760 ball powder behind 180 grain Norma projectiles

And somewhat surprisingly the bullets are .310 and boat tail so more likely to be sub optimal in a vintage bore

But I'm very happy with the results
Have 20 more loaded ready to go
And looking for a suitable tang sight to make it more practical to shoot

if she does that good with a boat tail hard as nails Norma ......... the mind boggles what she will do with a flat base speer....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

if she does that good with a boat tail hard as nails Norma ......... the mind boggles what she will do with a flat base speer....

Yes it's a respectable first got out

Because it's so rare I won't fire it at targets again until I sort a tang sight
Pointless exercise the way it is because so difficult
But it's hunting ready as is

If anyone knows where I can buy .311 flat base 174 - 180 grainers please advise

Originally Posted by akaroa1

If anyone knows where I can buy .311 flat base 174 - 180 grainers please advise

Pull from the Greek junk that gun city are selling

Originally Posted by omark

Pull from the Greek junk that gun city are selling

Sporting soft point !

@grandpamac For me, the old rifles and particularly the 303 is that they have character and an iconic NZ history. I love my little 223, but now reach for the 303 more often. What I've found interesting is that the "birthday hunt with my 303" YouTube video I posted a couple of months ago has already gone through 19k views and will do 20k by next week. That shows me that there is still a lot of interest in the 303. And; the vid was just me shooting a goat for the freezer; nothing exotic!

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@grandpamac For me, the old rifles and particularly the 303 is that they have character and an iconic NZ history. I love my little 223, but now reach for the 303 more often. What I've found interesting is that the "birthday hunt with my 303" YouTube video I posted a couple of months ago has already gone through 19k views and will do 20k by next week. That shows me that there is still a lot of interest in the 303. And; the vid was just me shooting a goat for the freezer; nothing exotic!

Greetings @bumblefoot and all.
I think for me it is the association with people I know or more often these days have known. The current .303 of interest was given to me by a friend who can no longer hunt. It will also be a rough copy of my first ever rifle bought in the late 1960's. More info will follow with pictures even.
Regards Grandpamac.

Wish this weather would clear up so I can fire a few rounds through the ol 303.

Greetings All,
Have just been up to my bench to put a couple of rounds through my new to me No1 .303. It is close to centre at 60 metres so will do a final zero at the range on Sunday. ome Grandpa walks are planned with it once things dry out a bit.
Regards Grandpamac.

yes the old faithfull 303 - shot my first deer at 16 with my fullbore rifle -complete with parker hale aperture- tunnel foresight and blade -had shot 200 and 300 shoot day before at Gisborne range -was all I had and it did the job -army ammo and all

The Best Buy was a cut down smellie at the tauranga gun show with a shot out barrel for $650…. I tried to convince some of the lads but they were not keen.

The usual Junk that gets rolled out was there. I’m a little sick of the dealers using it as a venue to get rid of their junk
Apart from a couple of dealers I don’t know and the likes of graham champion at least 50% of the stuff on the tables should be taken to the tip….

yes I know what you mean If you want to see a shocker have a look at the early Browning semi auto .22 for sale on trade me out of Tauranga - now it says some corrosion in bore and they at least have been decent enough to provide two photos - holy crap it has major compression rings and really should not be fired

Took the 106-year old girl out for a walk the other day. Been a heap of pigs out, but think the pig hunters beat me to them. Waited til dark, but no luck. Nice to take the rifle for another walk though

Dads sporterised Long Tom. Bolt and action numbers match, but has been rebarreled.



In use ‘55 I think, Fiordland.

Going by the wood, it’s the center rifle.





He would have been 100 this November.
So this is quite timely.
I’ve scrubbed and patched it out. Had it all apart and scrubbed and degunged everything.
When weather and time permits I’ll go out to the farm and have play.
I have zero expectations, but our boy wants to use it as is down south, so fingers crossed.

B