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You can tell when it's hunting season. The email traffic is up. In the past week, I've had three queries about making a long range 303. While I don't think the 303 is the best choice in 2021, it doesn't stop the questions, or the desire to own something that can reach out. For your consideration. A Modern, Long Range 303 Rifle?
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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I have used the 303 more than a little. My first was one of the early versions with iron sights. I liked the cartridge but the rifle had been through hell and was a rough operator. Shot okay but getting it through a magazine of cartridges was a chore. I could see how with a .308 barrel making 30 caliber match bullets usable that it would shoot just fine way out there. The fly in the ointment being there is that pesky 308 to consider. I know logic isn't supposed to interfere......
Last edited by rickt300; 10/07/21.
Dog I rescued in January
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And then I read your link!
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Nice rifles I have two rifles in that chambering myself. I originally bought them because factory ammo was dirt cheap. Sadly that is not the case anymore. The cartridge is continuing its slide into obsolescence. I continue to hang on to them for sentimental reasons. They remind me of better times.
Last edited by PSE; 10/07/21.
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Thanks. When I was in the service, I used to chat with the 308 shooters about their rimless 303s. It surprised me that so many of them said they would rather shoot a 303 if their barrels weren't sewer pipes. I never fully understood why, until I went to my first surplus military rifle match. It is a lot like the CAS weekends, with some people walking around in old uniforms, going to swap tables, etc. I rebarreled a No 4 in the 1980s using a 308 barrel and finally "got it". It's fun, and there are so many more bullet weights to choose from! I took that rifle hunting with 150 and 165 grain bullets. It was fun then too! I guess whether it's old cars, old radios or old rifles, there's always an interest. This is a load that consistently groups at 3/4s of an inch. It's a 168 gr Speer with N550. I have no idea why I tried N550, but I am glad that I did. It's great at the vintage rifle matches.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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My modern long range 303 is built on a P14 action and is also built with a 30 caliber barrel. I also have a couple of modern 30/40 Krag rifles. One a Ruger, the other a PGW. Performance is pretty well identical but 303 brass is more easily obtained. In strong actions, either cartridge will approach 2600fps with 190's. GD
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The best thing about the old days is that we were much younger.
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Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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One would have to define " long range"".. My particular Ruger single .303 shot with a scope change would be accurate out past 400, at right around 372 things are just about max for the crosshairs I use on my 1.25-4X Leupold. However II would be hesitant to shoot past 400 because of what II know as far as expansion goes on some bullets, and I don't wannt to start changing loads . Cat
scopes are cool, but slings 'n' irons RULE!
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One would have to define " long range"".. My particular Ruger single .303 shot with a scope change would be accurate out past 400, at right around 372 things are just about max for the crosshairs I use on my 1.25-4X Leupold. However II would be hesitant to shoot past 400 because of what II know as far as expansion goes on some bullets, and I don't wannt to start changing loads . Cat The definition continues to change as equipment evolves. . In recent years, the world's militaries have reached out over a mile. Of course, this comes at a price. Larger cartridges, shot from heavier, physically larger rifles with more complex optics have changed the definition of what a sniper is. The same can be said for LR hunters. .
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Steve, you may have noticed that Uberti is making an 1885 Winchester in .303, styled like an English stalking rifle with 24" barrel. It's called the Courtenay, after Frederick Courtenay Selous. Selous actually hunted with percussion large bore shotguns, loaded with ball, but never mind. It's an attractive rifle.
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Hi. It's funny you should mention that. I sent them an enquiry a couple of days ago about the bore and groove diameters. I hope to hear from them this week. I remember when Ruger made the No 1 in 303 British, I was genuinely surprised that they had a .314 groove diameter. I shouldn't have been though, given that Ruger followed the original plans. Uberti probably did as well.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Hi. It's funny you should mention that. I sent them an enquiry a couple of days ago about the bore and groove diameters. I hope to hear from them this week. I remember when Ruger made the No 1 in 303 British, I was genuinely surprised that they had a .314 groove diameter. I shouldn't have been though, given that Ruger followed the original plans. Uberti probably did as well. Nice rifle, if I didn't already own the finest looking Ruger single shot in .303 I might consider it LOL Tguis year's buck was taken at 194 yards uphill from the kneeling position Cat
scopes are cool, but slings 'n' irons RULE!
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I have to say that the No 1 looks better to me than the Uberti. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder though. You didn't shoot that poor creature with a 303, did you?
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Hi. It's funny you should mention that. I sent them an enquiry a couple of days ago about the bore and groove diameters. I hope to hear from them this week. I remember when Ruger made the No 1 in 303 British, I was genuinely surprised that they had a .314 groove diameter. I shouldn't have been though, given that Ruger followed the original plans. Uberti probably did as well. That sure looks like a No. 3 to me.
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Cat, that Ruger custom is excellent. I doubt you could be interested in a Uberti.
Steve, I'll be interested to hear what you learn about the bore and groove. I don't think I have the patience or manual dexterity to paper patch bullets as small as .308, and that's what I'd have to do to get accuracy from a .314 barrel. No one wants to spend $1500+ for an inaccurate rifle.
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I have to say that the No 1 looks better to me than the Uberti. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder though. You didn't shoot that poor creature with a 303, did you? Yup that is my main rifle that Greydog built for me years ago , 194 yards from kneeling is a chip shot for that rig However it is a #3🙂 Cat
Last edited by catnthehat; 10/10/21.
scopes are cool, but slings 'n' irons RULE!
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Cat, that Ruger custom is excellent. I doubt you could be interested in a Uberti.
Steve, I'll be interested to hear what you learn about the bore and groove. I don't think I have the patience or manual dexterity to paper patch bullets as small as .308, and that's what I'd have to do to get accuracy from a .314 barrel. No one wants to spend $1500+ for an inaccurate rifle. A friend of mine casts .314's and powdercoats them for me for my 8.15 x46R!🙂 Cat
scopes are cool, but slings 'n' irons RULE!
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I have to say that the No 1 looks better to me than the Uberti. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder though. You didn't shoot that poor creature with a 303, did you? Yup that is my main rifle that Greydog built for me years ago , 194 yards from kneeling is a chip shot for that rig However it is a #3🙂 Cat That shows how much I paid attention. Hog eye, In order to get a good fit, it’s best to use cast . 314 bullets.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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It is nicer than having the nutbars and conspiracy theorists post. I now have two 308 diameter barrels that can be loaded into either the 30-303 British or the 7.62x54r.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Living in a world of G17s and 700s, wishing for P7s and 202s
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Are those newsgroups still running? One of the last things I did before retiring in 1999 was some 1000 yard shooting at the base range. Always a lot of fun and very good company! Borden is one of the places where DCRA shoots are held. DCRA - Dominion or Canada Rifle Association
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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I shot at Camp Borden more than 60 years ago. Our WCVS cadet corps went there for a day.
Those huge bulls didn't look very big at 1000 yards, but could be picked up fairly well when looking through the No4 Mk1* Long Branch sights.
How large was that bull back then?
Ted
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The bull was 24 inches. The whole target was 8x6, if I remember correctly. Did you shoot at Mons? Can you remember?
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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