Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Shot the .303 today...

I gotta admit if I had my choice between .30 Army and .303 for a new #1 (and I love 'em both), it would have to be the .303 , hands down! No question!

Congrats to all who have been lucky enough to snag one!

Kaywoodie

kaywoodie,Why the 303 over the 30/40?

rifle,

Haven't done any more shooting or load experimentation since I first got it, due to other rifle priorities. But did get in some new bullets from Sierra and Barnes that should prove interesting.

I expect a 150 TSX at 2800+ would be a useful all-around load.

If I may paraphrase another infamous forum member, it's really nothing other than the "panache" of the cartridge. Nothing ballistic, just cartridge coolness!

Kaywoodie

Well,I looked at one yesterday at Cabelas,plain wood and a lot more than the .300HH I just picked up.I did not fall in love with the 22'' tube..I passed,but I did come home with a full-stocked Interarms Mauser. Maybe if the wood was better,I'd go for it, but I've seen cardboard with more figure.....

MD- I know this is a sorta of an old thread, but how are you scoping your #1's?

Are you doing anything with the mounts? What scope works for you?

I'm trying to get a handle on this.

Thanks,
AJD

I just received mine this weekend,
scoped it with a 2x7 as the physical size was not overwhelming for the size of the rifle, and the power fit the 303 caliber. Hope to be able to shoot it in a couple of weeks.

I have a L 2-7 VXII on a 7 x 57. I love the scope, and the size and weight is great on my 1A. However, the eye relief doesn't work for me through the range of magnification.

I was thinking to put a M8 on one, but I don't think they would work for me either.

So... I was looking for other alternatives. I thought maybe JB would comment, but I guess not.

I haven't made a decision as to what to scope my .303 with. as yyet... But I'm thinking an old "long-tube" Leupold 4x with a post & CH or a CPC... I have one of each "stashed".

Trouble is, I like 8x - 12X to work up loads with. Not that I shoot that much smaller groups, it just removes some of the guess work.

GH

AJD,

I've got a 6x36 M8 Leupold on mine, with the Duplex reticle, in the Ruger rings that came with the rifle. So far it seems to work fine.

figured i would chime in that if anyone in Montana is looking for one i noticed one at Cabela's in Billings a couple days ago......

FWIW Was at the Post Falls, ID Cabelas last weekend and they had one in stock as well.

Thanks guys.

With Lee Enfields, this is the way to go. If the original barrel is shot out, put a 308 diameter barrel on it. This has been done for many years. As Bravo says, it gives you more bullets from which to choose.

You'll find that with 174/180 grain bullets, IMR 4350, Re 15 and Varget will all perform quite well. With 4350, velocities will be down a little compared to the other two.

150s will work best with middle of the road powders like 4895 or 4064.

Even though the No 1 is a strong action, it's best to resist the temptation to hotrod this cartridge. The droopy shoulders will let the case stretch, even with the Ruger's tighter than military chamber. A 180 grain bullet traveling at 2400 - 2500 fps will get the job done with no fuss.

Congratulations to all that got a No 1 in this chambering!

That's exactly what I was thinking about putting on mine. Second choice would be a VXIII in 1.5x5.

I had to wait and get in on the second batch of 303s coming to Canada, so won't see mine till later in the year.

.

I got mine today. The wood is ok but not exceptual. Hope to load tomorrow and wring it out Sunday. I got your 200 grain bullets today Steve, and they look very good.
Randy

Would any of the magic be lost if a .308 barrel was chambered
308/303 British?

Yes ..... That would be like putting ketsup on good steak.


.

Re. the "droopy shoulders will let the case stretch"; this is absolute hogwash. I have some Winchester brass which started out at 2.206". After eight loadings of 174 Sierras at 2640 fps (26 inch barrel, match chamber, zero head clearance), they measure 2.210. If four thou growth after eight loadings strikes you as severe, your criteria is much stricter than mine.
Many might be surprised to learn the shoulder angle on the 303 is actually just the same as on the 308 Winchester (actually, the nominal angle for the 303 is approximately 1/4 of one degree sharper than that of the 308 but I wouldn't quibble over it).
Having said this, I have to agree that there is little reason to load those 180's much over 2500 fps. They really do work real well at that speed. GD

The 2500 was all I could get with IMR-4064 and Speer 180s,.3105". I ran out of room. It was a P-14.