Lee .303 mold for enfields?

[wonderwolf]

Putting together my once a year midway order (birthday discount time) and looking at the lee .303 mold, its listed as .312" I'm getting conflicting results googling reviews, seems split down the middle almost. 185gr also seems a little heavy... anybody have one of these molds and is really happy with it? I'm thinking this would also work on my 91/30's of which I have many. So versatility is key, so the larger it drops within reason the more use I may be able to get out of it. I understand the particular mold I get will vary but just looking for some insight.

[krallstar]

Enfields have over sized bores. I size mine at .316 with a gas check. The mold i use is a NOE http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...dh0jd3sibn7f82 It drops around .317-.318 I got the 4 cavity mold but i don't see it now. I also have a 91/30 that likes boolits sized at .314 With a gc. With the noe mold you can size to .314 and .316. I had Buckshot on here make my .316 die took a month. I use buckshots die to size all from that mold then when i want to load for my Mosin i use a lee push thru at .314. The lee die did not size at .314 had to open it up abit. Your lead may size differently. Try first then open slowly if to small.

[ukrifleman]

I use the Lee .303 mould for my FTR No. 4 and it works well because the rifle has a mint bore. However, my Lithgow No.1 Mk3 and Martini Enfield need a bigger diameter bullet.

I use the 175gn Lee 8mm Mauser mould for these, sized down to .314 and it works just fine.

My Lithgow key holes with the 185gn .303 bullet, but will hold a 2.5" group at 100m with the sized down Mauser bullet.

ukrifleman.

[atr]

I have one and it works well in my #1 Mk4.
It works even better in my 30-30 when sized to .311

[leadman]

You really need to slug your bore to see if this is large enough for your gun. I have Enfields that vary from .312" to .316" . My 2 Mosin Nagants are .3135" to .315".

[LAGS]

I too had to lap the Lee C185 .312 for my LE's and MN"s
My bores also run from .313 to .316.
The Lee 8mm 175 works like someone else said, when you size it to .316.
I honed out a Lee .314 push thru sizer for those

[WILCO]

Putting anybody have one of these molds and is really happy with it? I'm thinking this would also work on my 91/30's of which I have many. So versatility is key, so the larger it drops within reason the more use I may be able to get out of it.

I have one. It's older, but I'm happy with it.
Using heat tape, you can beagle it for a larger diameter.

[Kraschenbirn]

My Lee 312-185, after beagling, drops .315+ from both cavities and I size to .3145 for a Longbranch #4MK1 (.312 groove) and a 1938 Tula 91/30 (.313 groove). Using 'issue' sights and shooting off sandbags, either will hold 10 rounds in the black of a standard NRA 200-yd. rifle target...at 200M!! Have also tried using the 185 Lee in a 7.65 Argentine carbine with some success (3"-3 1/2" @ 100M)...but never got around to further developing/refining the load.

Bill

[JeffinNZ]

For an unmatched range try:

http://www.castbulletengineering.com...fle/31-calibre

[leebuilder]

The lee 185br was my first mould, good boolit in the right rifle, beagle the mould for wider uses, now it is really accurate.
got some of my best groupings with the beagled boolit.
Be well.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I'd go with a Lyman 314299. it is a little more expensive but a lot better boolit. This boolit is 205 gr and shoots very well in my #4 Mk1

In any event you need a boolit that is larger than .312 as the vast majority of Enfield guns are well above that in bore/groove size.

Mine is .303/.313 so I size to .314

Also weighing boolits into categories has a dramatic effect on accuracy.

Randy

[LAGS]

NOE make the same mold as the Lyman 314299 in a 316299 for the larger bores.
I have one and it works well in my two groove Long Branch LE

[dromia]

Slug your bore and the look at the NOE range they have a fine collection of Enfield suitable moulds in a variety of diameters.

For anything over 100 yards I prefer a heavier bullet at 200+ grains.

[JeffinNZ]

For anything over 100 yards I prefer a heavier bullet at 200+ grains.

I agree. Have always found a heavier, longer bullet will do better in the three oh three.

[double00]

i have the lee 303 185 and it drops at .314. I have not shot any yet. I am thinking if i need bigger i will powder coat and this might add .002

[Stoats]

I have a Lyman 314299 and it doesn't drop .314... About .313 if generous.