Reload .303brit

[jdavionic]

Any enfield enthusiasts out there that reload .303? I made my first 10 rounds today. I neck sized the rounds (versus full length size) and they really look great. I used H335 powder (44.5 gr) with 150gr Hornady bullets. The only noticeable difference in appearance versus the Privi factory rounds that I have is just below the neck line where mine don't have as much of a gradual taper since they are left to basically fit the chamber of my rifle.

I'm excited to give them a shot & see how they perform. I suspect they are loaded a little lighter than the factory rounds. The range for loading was 44 to ~48 gr with the H335. But perhaps the Lee factory crimp will make the pressure consistent with the lower load that I used (44.5 gr)? Don't know...pure learning for me.

Prior to this, I heard a lot of folks (not here) say that you really cannot reload these because of the headspace issues. I must have gotten lucky with my rifle in that respect. Because I measured the diameter in various spots all the way down to the edge near the rim and the measurements were all consistent with the new factory rounds.

[Zeke Menuar]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Any enfield enthusiasts out there that reload .303? I made my first 10 rounds today. I neck sized the rounds (versus full length size) and they really look great. I used H335 powder (44.5 gr) with 150gr Hornady bullets. The only noticeable difference in appearance versus the Privi factory rounds that I have is just below the neck line where mine don't have as much of a gradual taper since they are left to basically fit the chamber of my rifle.

I'm excited to give them a shot & see how they perform. I suspect they are loaded a little lighter than the factory rounds. The range for loading was 44 to ~48 gr with the H335. But perhaps the Lee factory crimp will make the pressure consistent with the lower load that I used (44.5 gr)? Don't know...pure learning for me.

Prior to this, I heard a lot of folks (not here) say that you really cannot reload these because of the headspace issues. I must have gotten lucky with my rifle in that respect. Because I measured the diameter in various spots all the way down to the edge near the rim and the measurements were all consistent with the new factory rounds.

I use RL-15 and Sierra Gamekings in my 303 Brit loads.
I have a Ishy NoIMkIII and a No4MkI. Makes loading a little different. The Ishy has a longer chamber than the No4MkI. I set up my dies for the shorter chamber so I can shoot my handloads in both. I don't crimp. I don't feel it's needed YMMV.

I use RL-15 to keep powder inventory down. I load for 303 British, 300 Savage, 7.62x54R and 308 Winchester(in a Ishapore 2A). RL-15 works great in all those rounds

Whoever told you that 303 can't be reloaded is full of it.
Once the case is fired. Neck sizing makes the cases reloadable for a few more times. Backing one grain helps reduce case stretching. The SMLE's rear locking bolt makes case stretching inevitable. But you can reduce it to make cases last a bit longer.

A full range report is expected with pics.

Good luck

ZM

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by Zeke Menuar

I use RL-15 and Sierra Gamekings in my 303 Brit loads.
I have a Ishy NoIMkIII and a No4MkI. Makes loading a little different. The Ishy has a longer chamber than the No4MkI. I set up my dies for the shorter chamber so I can shoot my handloads in both. I don't crimp. I don't feel it's needed YMMV.

I use RL-15 to keep powder inventory down. I load for 303 British, 300 Savage, 7.62x54R and 308 Winchester(in a Ishapore 2A). RL-15 works great in all those rounds

Whoever told you that 303 can't be reloaded is full of it.
Once the case is fired. Neck sizing makes the cases reloadable for a few more times. Backing one grain helps reduce case stretching. The SMLE's rear locking bolt makes case stretching inevitable. But you can reduce it to make cases last a bit longer.

A full range report is expected with pics.

Good luck

ZM

Great feedback. Thanks. I wasn't sure about crimping or not...especially given it's a bolt action, I had some reservations. But I don't think it can hurt & I had already bought the Lee factory crimp die. I'll let you know how it works.

I cannot imagine why you wouldn't reload .303s?? What I was told is that the primary reason was due to headspace issues. Apparently some have expanded cases near the rim. But not me. And given the price for the ammo, it's real cost effective to reload.

[ichy_trigger]

I dont reload .303 but I used to be into extreme rifle accuracy during my hayday of varmint hunting. Normaly your best accuracy is obtained at lower than max loads and if you minimize the distance that the bullet has to jump to reach the lands and reduce your sizing to half the neck length, you can wring a tad bit more accuracy out of it. We are talking shrinking groups by fractions of an inch though.

[Zeke Menuar]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

I dont reload .303 but I used to be into extreme rifle accuracy during my hayday of varmint hunting. Normaly your best accuracy is obtained at lower than max loads and if you minimize the distance that the bullet has to jump to reach the lands and reduce your sizing to half the neck length, you can wring a tad bit more accuracy out of it. We are talking shrinking groups by fractions of an inch though.

In a Lee-Enfield the OAL is determined by the length of the magazine. It would be nice to seat the bullet out to the lands, but that is only possible if the rounds are loaded one at a time.

Seriously accurizing a Enfield is a voodoo-like black art that involves bedding the action in certain areas, tightening and loosening certain screws, playing Black Sabbath records backwards to hear the secret instructions etc.

ZM

[murphyslaw]

I love my N l MK lll. I need to buy the reloading dies so I can shoot it more(ammo=lots of money)

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by murphyslaw

I love my N l MK lll. I need to buy the reloading dies so I can shoot it more(ammo=lots of money)

If you're going to or even considering reloading, save your brass! I saved mine before I even picked out the reloading equipment and I'm very thankful that I did, especially for .303.