Thread: 303-250

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Well I have a set of Simplex 303-25 dies
Can get a Vulcan 1:8 twist barrel
Would need to make a chamber reamer as unlikely to find one easily in NZ
There will be on out there somewhere
Din Collings would have done a few of them and I know he did a few 30-40s also
Would love to find both those reamers

Ross collings in carterton will have the tools , most of dins tooling went there or to mike in tepuke .

There were a number of Canadian variations of 303 wildcats also
So you could run into a range of lengths and shoulder angles

Only in NSW could you not use a .303 early post war. Other states were ok.

The .303 wild cats came about in a bid to get better performance and flatter trajectory than the .303 on our generally light game.

The .303/22 and .25s for roo shooting where on the skins were sold. Less damage from lighter pills.

Simplex still make 303/25 dies.

Sportco made the rifles, river brand made the ammo.


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A certain gun doctor on this forum worked upstairs at one stage as well

Originally Posted by Peteforskeet

A certain gun doctor on this forum worked upstairs at one stage as well

More info required ...😊

Originally Posted by akaroa1

There were a number of Canadian variations of 303 wildcats also
So you could run into a range of lengths and shoulder angles

Yes I think Epps was one of the more popular. He did quite a few wildcats.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Yes I think Epps was one of the more popular. He did quite a few wildcats.

Yes Eeps was the most prolific inovator

Some of the cartridge collector forums have a lot of detail on the multiple lengths
It would seen that the 303-22 was most likely the most diverse in length and layout
I guess due to the fact that it was maybe over capacity
Certainly a close match for the 220 Swift but with a full rim

Shooters supplies has a 270/303 https://www.shooterssupplies.co.nz/p...sporter-11708/

Originally Posted by paremata

Shooters supplies has a 270/303 https://www.shooterssupplies.co.nz/p...sporter-11708/

Another BSA sporter on the P14 at a guess. You would be able to get them cranking properly out of that action

very expensive for a wildcat oddball round..... would be a fun rifle to own all the same.

Gun Smith workshop above reloading technical services shop, Dave Arnold first gunsmith I remember up there, then I think the guy I referred to took up business.
Back around mid 70's

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

very expensive for a wildcat oddball round..... would be a fun rifle to own all the same.

yes and no.
probably not done in NZ. I would suggest someone with a little bit more coin wanting the best performance out of the round and maybe either having the rifle or getting a buggered one (maybe not) and paying to get it re-barreled the same as 90% of the SMLE's getting done.
Then they could load it another 200fps on basically the same as the 257 rob, or the 270 Winchester whichever one you looked at.
Probably having the rifle was the key otherwise you would just buy a 270 or 257. Mind you maybe not a lot around

that was my point...can buy a bog std .270w for less coin and buggering around with having to find dies etc and get much longer brass life too.
package deal suppressed and scoped for similar coin.... dont get me wrong its a neat rifle and fair price if thats what squeals your wheels... a little bit of history too. just a lot of buggering around for bugger all gain if you know what I mean.
bit like me wanting to rechamber a baikal into .22hp savage but with .224 barrel..... rechamber will be 3-400 and dies that again... and then wont match .22-250 and wont gain much on .223.... but would be different.

Doubt it was done recently I reckon
Probably more like 30+ years ago and is someone's old deer/kangaroo slayer from way back