Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada Here are some targets from the final 30-303 shoot

First, the ugly. I was trying to make a 147 gr. FMJBT shoot. The best I could manage was 1.9 inches with IMR4064 and 2 inches with N140. Shoots like an old fashioned 303, but I think there is room for improvement.



Now, the best news from yesterday. !80 gr. Remington bulk CL bullets. 8 of the 10 powders shot under 1.5 again. This was the best from yesterday. Re 17 shoots an inch or less consistently. Wow! Not flashy. Not a Barnes or a Nosler. Not made from pixie dust or even the latest design. Cheap, FB Core Lokt. This and the other targets are the reason why everyone should test different bullets in their rifles to see what shoots. For deer, this works.



And finally, the 165 Nosler re-evaluation.I blame its poor performance, compared to the 180 gr. Rem CL, on the higher bullet cost (or maybe the barrel just doesn't like them, or they're BTs). Still, 1.25 inches works.



From here, it's the data crunch and final editing.

Well, when are you going to get some blood on it?

The fall maybe. Hunting is just a part of the journey.

Nice targets, but they've got holes in them. They look like they've been shot with something.

Good work there. Time to make meat.

Good work, Steve...you're hitting what you aim at. THAT is what really matters.

I am going to try four other powders with the 147s. I thought they might make better bullets than some of the ancient surplus that some 303 shooters are bringing to the shoots.

May be fitting to rename it now. .30 Bisley (as a nod to 6.5 Creedmoor)? Ah, never mind barely one in ten even knows that Creedmoor was a rifle range, or Bisley for that matter.

I'd feel guilty suggesting that it be renamed. I think the first 30-303 appeared 60 or 70 years ago. We'd have to get a university student to research it.

Have you tried 3031 with those 147's?

Yes. It didn't do so well. I do not have my targets or notes with me, but 3031 shot worse than 2 inches. I will be finishing them up with Re 15, Big Game, 4320 and Re 17.

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Curious what your results will be. I'd try a ball powder next, like the Big Game you've got there, or something faster, like TAC. You seem to have it in hand. I'll watch for your results.

No problem. I just got home. I have a little room to play with seating depth, but that is a fine tuner. The powders I am most hopeful of are Re 15 or Big Game. Possibly IMR4320. I have to find the node. I believe it's around 2750 fps. 3031 avg was 2635 fps. N140 was 2604 fps.

Here is the 3031 group. 3.4 inches. This was the best of two. The other was 3.8 inches.

If I can find an 1.5 inch load, I will have won.

That possible node is faster than I thought you were wanting to push them! I think you're right about the Re 15 or Big Game.

Steve, I have often had very good accuracy with a stomach-full of IMR 4350 in various 303 Br Lee Enfields.

Did you try any of that?

Ted

IMR 4350 was the old standby for the 303, primarily with 180s, before some of the powder gaps were filled. I haven't tried any with the 147s. I migrated to Re 17. Its burn rate and usefulness is generally the same as 4350. You can see how well Re 17 did with the 180s above. I was very pleased with it, and the bonus was more velocity.

The new barrel really delivers the goods with all the bullet weights. It seems to prefer flat base hunting bullets. I worked up loads for eight of them, a 168 gr. target bullet, and one cast bullet. The 147 gr is giving me some trouble, but I will have that worked out in short order.

I have finished the book and a proof copy is on the way. 107 pg, 8.5x11.

30-303 Book

This is the front and back cover.



This is the final TofC.

Introduction

30-303 Cartridge Specifications
Rechambering My No 4 Rifle
A Tired Rifle!
Understanding Headspace
The Reamer

A Tour of My Rifle
The Stock
The Scope Mount
• Commercial Mounts
• The Indestructible Scope Mount
The Magazine
Refinishing the Metal – Cerakoting

Notes on Reloading the 30-303 Cartridge

Conventional Reloading Dies – Changing the Expander
Lee Collet Die – Changing the Mandrel
Redding Body Die
Case Neck & Bullet Run-out
LE Wilson Case Gauge
The Lee Enfield Magazine and Bullet Seating
The Lee Factory Crimp Die
- Clean Your Die Before Using It!
Bullet Notes – Selecting a Hunting Bullet
Is It Worth the Bother to Crimp?

30-303 Load Data
Preface to the Load Data Section

Hunting Loads -- FB – Flat Base, BT – Boat Tail

1. 125 gr. Sierra Spitzer (FB) – 2120
2. 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting (BT) – 30150
3. 150 gr. Remington PSP (FB)
4. 160 gr. Hornady FTX (BT) – 30396
5. 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting (BT) – 30165
6. 180 gr. Rem PSP Core Lokt (FB)
7. 200 gr. Speer Spitzer (FB) – 2211
8. 220 gr. Hornady RN (FB) – 3090

Target Load

9. 168 gr. Speer BTHP – 2040

Cast Bullet Load

10. 173 gr.* Lyman LFN – GC 31141
Sometimes, Things Go Wrong

Parting Thoughts

Quick Reference Definitions
Just One Shot: Blood Rage