My favorite SMLE boolit

[O.S.O.K.]

I load these using standard load data for 200 grain bullets to around 2000 fps and get excellent accuracy in my SMLE's. They are sized in a Lee .314" bottom push sizer die and lubed with the liq alox that comes with.

I neck size the cases as is needed for best accuracy out of the typical SMLE.

These outperform all jacketed bullets that I've tried. Cast from WW, they also make very good hunting bullets and will expand some (rivet) so long as they are air cooled.

[O.S.O.K.]

Maybe I should have posted this in the CB Loads / Military Rifles forum instead.... Mod, please more to that forum. Thanks.

[3006guns]

Hold on a second! For years I've been taught that the first three numbers of a Lyman mold dictated the size. What the heck is the 266?? Some sort of new classification or model number? Looks like a 214299 to me...educumate me, please!

Edit: Oops! Disregard.....my eye caught the number on the left side of the box first. Thought maybe something slipped by me for a minute!

[O.S.O.K.]

No prob -

[rvpilot76]

Care to share what powder you use to push the 314299 to 2000 fps?

[O.S.O.K.]

Care to share what powder you use to push the 314299 to 2000 fps?

42 Grains of Win 760 in RP brass with WLR primers.

2" at 100 yards all day.

This is my most accurate load for my SMLE's.

The key I think is the .314" sizing...

I am sure there are many SMLE's that have even larger bores and may want a .316" boolit... but this works in mine (three of em).

[rvpilot76]

I am sure there are many SMLE's that have even larger bores and may want a .316" boolit... but this works in mine (three of em).

This is the boat that I'm in with my two No.4's. I size exactly to .316"

Kevin

[jonk]

Mine likes the same mold, as does my P-14. Never had much luck with rifle powders in either. Red Dot or 2400 here, but a fine bullet.

[JeffinNZ]

This is the boat that I'm in with my two No.4's. I size exactly to .316"

Kevin

Yeap. I am shooting fat these days. If I can chamber it I shoot it.

I push the CBE 313 220 (220gr) at 2000fps over 41gr H4350 for reference.

[303Guy]

jonk, yours are both two-groove, right?

O.S.O.K. you are not going to have any problems with your 6.5!

My five-groove 303 Brit has a groove diam of .312 and I shoot .317 boolits through it. These are 225gr, smooth sided, tapered boolits with cast in situ gas-checks. My estimated velocity is/was 1900fps. I used AR2208/Varget initially but changed to AR2209/H4350. (Apparently, AR2209 is closer to IMR4350). I have also changed to paper patched - a different story but still .317.

[kjg]

I'm using the 311299 sized to .312 and a dose of western powders Big Game with awsome results (30.0 grns), and at 100 getting 1" or better results, also using same bullt in 7.62x54 and same charge, same sizing, now the trick 308 IDF mauser sized to .310 and tinkering with the load but getting good results not posting charge yet till i work out the kinks, I have been working with Big game and jacketed bullets and its some good stuff, and am happ with the results i'm getting with cast, this same load is going to drop some deer this year, i'm super confident with the cartrige and rifle i'm doing it with Iron site only.

[runfiverun]

both of my 303's totally abhored the 314299 boolit.
all three of my argies adore it so kind of a wash.
funny the #3 likes a loverin design i have for my 30-30.
still haven't got the 2 groove to like cast yet,might be p/ping for it.

[Alangaq]

Perfectly timed post! I just wrapped up my Enfield sporter project and am now trying to decide on a mould. Mine is a 2 groove barrel but I have not slugged it to see what it measures….. will have to do that today and see what I come up with.
Do you find that the liquid alox “tuble lube” stuff works well enough at 2000 fps?

[O.S.O.K.]

Nice job on your sporter. I have found the LLA to be great for my rifle loads at 2000 fps.

[KCSO]

Until I tried Carnuba red I used LLA all the time and I still have 60 rounds of my 220 gran Krag loads ready for hunting. They go just at 2000 from a 24" barrel and just the barest touch of leading after 20 or so rounds in my roughest Krag.

[billw]

I use a .318" bullet with a .305" nose in my #4's .317" grooves, 2 groove rifle. It also shoots accurately in my #5 with 5 grooves and .313/.303 typical diameters. Smaller bullets keyhole due to the large and long throat in the #5 and that kept me busy figuring out what was wrong with it. A Cerrosafe cast showed tool marks even with the extra large and long throat. I limit MV to 1500 fps.