.303 Epps Improved

[Dutchman]

[TNsailorman]

Now there is a name I haven't heard in years. If I remember correctly, Elwood Epps was a Canadian gunsmith who specialized in improving the old rimmed cartridges like the .30-40 and 303. james

[texassako]

I even have a Martini that is chambered in something about like that with a 2 groove .308" barrel. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...pps-cast-loads

[RPRNY]

I have an H&R Handi Rifle chambered in 35 Krag and early on used data for the 35/303 Epps (not sure whether different from the 35 Territorial) to develop loads. As I recall, Ackley said the greatest improvement he got from a cartridge was from the 30-40, though I would imagine the 30-40 AI is too much for the Krag action. In my Ruger No 3 30-40, it loads to match 308 factory performance, so it seems likely that a 30-40 AI in a modern steel strong action could deliver 30-06 performance. With the 303 having slightly more taper and a more shallow shoulder, but slightly less powder capacity, I would guess the 303 Epps would be very close indeed to the 30-40 AI.

[SWANEEDB]

Now there is a name I haven't heard in years. If I remember correctly, Elwood Epps was a Canadian gunsmith who specialized in improving the old rimmed cartridges like the .30-40 and 303. james

You are so correct James, Met Elwood several times at the International Cartridge show, late 90's--early 20's, the gent had all the time to give you as much as you wanted, his displays were mostly of his doings which were quite a few (as I remember), passed on quite some time ago. Think most of his work was very highly regarded. Did have one of his catalogs also but has gone down the road ?????????, don't remember where tho.

[brass410]

his legacy of the 303 improved is one his other is perhaps one of the oldest gun shops in southern Ontario near Orillia if they don't have it you probably cant get it.

[nicholst55]

I have an H&R Handi Rifle chambered in 35 Krag and early on used data for the 35/303 Epps (not sure whether different from the 35 Territorial) to develop loads. As I recall, Ackley said the greatest improvement he got from a cartridge was from the 30-40, though I would imagine the 30-40 AI is too much for the Krag action. In my Ruger No 3 30-40, it loads to match 308 factory performance, so it seems likely that a 30-40 AI in a modern steel strong action could deliver 30-06 performance. With the 303 having slightly more taper and a more shallow shoulder, but slightly less powder capacity, I would guess the 303 Epps would be very close indeed to the 30-40 AI.

I was told that the .30-40 AI is more comparable to a .300 Mag (of unnamed persuasion) than a .30-06. That may well be rather optimistic, but the cartridge is decidedly NOT safe for a Krag action.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

I was told that the .30-40 AI is more comparable to a .300 Mag (of unnamed persuasion) than a .30-06. That may well be rather optimistic, but the cartridge is decidedly NOT safe for a Krag action.

Extremely optimistic. You could very easily run into higher pressures than a .300 Magnum if you try, and less performance than a .300 Magnum if you don't have higher pressures.

That being said, performance in a rifle cartridge isn't as important as many people think. It would be an excellent cartridge for any strong rifle that is the better for a rim. That includes the No4 Lee-Enfield, the strongest of the series, and if the original barrel is rechambered to commercial standards, it would do away with the over-diameter and over-length shoulder often found in the military chamber.

The only snag is that you would be a bit more limited in barrel blanks and bullets that with a .30. But you only need one of each of those. I have seen very accurate shooting with a Martini which used a surplus Browning .308-groove barrel, a reamer with the pilot oilstoned to .30 in a lathe, and dies standard except for the expander button reduced with abrasive paper to give good grip on .308 bullets. I would hardly dare expect the like with a Lee-Enfield.

[RPRNY]

The obvious answer is the 308 Epps Improved! What a great idea for another H&R break barrel.

[texassako]

Mine had a case capacity slightly under 7.62x54r using Winchester .30-40 brass; so I would not consider it comparable to any magnum at safe pressures.