First time out with the 303.

[Will Henry]

Well, I finally got a chance to take the 303 out for a trial run. It was nice warm day (36F) with just a light breeze.
I loaded 44 grains of Varget behind a 150 Sierra MK, seated into the lands. I used Reminton brass, out of the box. The load appears to not be a good one. The pressure is too low, SD is dismal (37fps) spread is 89fps. Average velocity is 2660, which is about 125 fps slower than I want. I set up a target at 27 yards and took two shots to center it. I then fired two at 300m. They hit 6 inches low and an inch apart. I went up two minutes and fired five. Made a perfect five with four in a square and one in the middle. Only problem was the group was a little scattery at 1.5". The next group was 1.6 but was mostly vertical. I only had three left. They went into an inch even. So, it's not a complete turkey. The load sux. I 'll likely shelve the Varget. I had some trigger issues and had one fire when I closed the bolt. I had to take a break to fix that after the first group.
Other matters: The stock has a pad on it, a Pachmayr 325. This was fine pad, when it was put on in 1980. Today, it's more like a brick. Another issue is that the bolt handle is too short. I'll add about 3/8 to the bolt and replace the pad. With any luck, I'll be able to shoot some more after Christmas. I just have to cut those groups in half! WH

 

[243winxb]

I used Reminton brass, out of the box

Brass may grow a lot, after a few firings. Depends on the rifle used.

Neck sizing only, may help?

 

[Will Henry]

The concern about brass growing only applies to Lee Enfields or chambers which are big. This is a strong, front-locking, action. The chamber is very little larger than the FL sizer. Nonetheless, I will be using a bushing neck sizer going forward. I'll just make a Wilson-type sizer.
If the rifle action doesn't stretch, cases do not stretch from firing. Growth in length occurs during sizing. Still, I'm at 1/2 moa now. This is better than I shot at TD6 (to my great shame). WH

 

[tommeboy]

Do not seat the bullets out. Seat them what the book says. And do not shoot 0.308" diameter bullets. You need at least a 0.311"+ bullet. If these were 308 bullets that is one main reason they shot terrible.

 

[Will Henry]

I guess I forgot to mention, this 303 is built on a 30 cal barrel. I don't think 1/2 moa is terrible, just not great!
Regarding 308 bullets in a 303 though: My first hunting rifle was a 303 No4 Mk1, sporterized by Parker-Hale. At the age of 14, I didn't have a lot of ready cash, so I mostly shot Dad's 30 caliber bullets through it. I soon learned it would shoot almost any 30 caliber bullet, unless it was a Sierra boattail. It would put 180 Norma BT's into about an inch and a half at 100yd. Sierras would pattern at about 8". 200 grain Speers shoot well. 125 Sierras shot into 3/4 or less.
Years later I was fooling around trying to get a 308 to shot with the IVI military ball. On a whim, I decided to see how the bullets would shoot through the old 303. I pulled the bullets from a box of 7.62's and seated them in some 303 brass, ahead of 42 grains of 4895. These bullets were pretty variable in diameter but none were over .3075. Some were under .307. I shot ten shots at 100 yds and got a group of 1.1 inches. At 200, five shots went into 1.9". I recovered some bullets from the berm and they didn't have any grooves in them at all. Just five shiny marks where they rode on top of the lands! Not an ideal situation but it worked out.
The funny thing was, a friend was at the range at the same time. He was shooting some IVI through his Shilen barreled 40X. His groups were running about 3 moa. He seemed a little peeved. WH

 

[Will Henry]

There is one aspect of the design of cases like the 303, and it's American counterpart, the 30/40Krag, which make them easy to load for; they have plenty-o-taper. I am able to size 2/3 of the 303 neck before the body contacts the die. Set up so that the body just contacts enough to stick just a bit, I get a sized neck with zero runout between the neck and shoulder. The 30/40 is even better; it has that nice, long neck. I especially like it for use with cast bullets. WH

 

[ChrisNZ]

When I read your results, I thought they were near miraculous for a .303. I was assuming you were shooting a No.4 or SMLE but it sounds like you have a P14. Military No.4s were considered accurate if they could manage 2 MOA.

 

[MClark]

Years ago we hunted jackrabbits with a SMLE and WW-I vintage ammo.
Ammo had a 0 to 1/4 second hangfire. Learned not to flinch, like shooting a flint lock.
Many of the Necks were cracked and bullets would fall out, just poke them back in. A guy hunting with us saw what we were doing and asked if it was Cordite, yes. He traded us better ammo because he had some old British cartridge and wanted to use the Cordite to reload for it.
Oh how far we have come with what is acceptable.

 

[tommeboy]

I have a Savage US Property marked. It was in the wrap when I bought it years ago when i had my C&R license. I think I paid about $139 for it as it was listed as unissued never fired. And 'i believe it. It has a #1 bolt head and it looks brand new. It shoots the Sierra 174gr hpbt very well. Brass doesn't grow much as it is fired. The shoulder barely moves. Now my SMLE that is another story. That shoulder moves about 1/8"!!! You do not FL size that brass.

My problems now is my eyes went to hell and I don;t shoot them anymore as I need a scope

 

[Will Henry]

When I read your results, I thought they were near miraculous for a .303. I was assuming you were shooting a No.4 or SMLE but it sounds like you have a P14. Military No.4s were considered accurate if they could manage 2 MOA.

Just to clarify, these 303's both chambered in 30 caliber barrels, are kind of semi-serious efforts. The one referenced here is built on a Ruger 77. The barrel is an old (1980), 14 twist, Hart. The action has a solid bottom, soldered in. The receiver was modified to use a Canjar LP trigger. It is bedded into a Lee Six BR stock. I'm expecting it to shoot at the .3 moa level.
The second rifle is a P14 but modified. It is barreled with a 10 twist HV barrel. It is throated a bit longer than the Ruger; meant to shoot longer, heavier bullets. It is bedded into a laminated stock.
Lee Enfields are a different kettle of fish but can be much more accurate than many might expect. WH