303 Brit load??

[rmcc]

Using the concept of a " walking around" rifle, I have an old MKIV 303 I would like to develope a load for. It will need to take anything from rabbits to coyotes to deer. I would like your collective opinion on what mould and what load? Thanks!!


Rich

[Larry Gibson]

Assuming a cast bullet?

Larry Gibson

[dromia]

This worth a read.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13425

[303Guy]

I have an old MKIV 303An old MKIV? The MKIV was the predecessor to the No.4 and was a developmental rifle I thought? Might it have some collectors value? Just look into it before chopping it up. Maybe someone would swap you for another. The naming of Lee Enfields changed from time to time and went from LM I to LE I to SHT LE I to SMLE MkIII to No.I MkIII (SMLE) to No.I MKIV to No.4 Mk1 to No.5 and so on with some inbetween. One of mine is a BSA & M and is actually one of the cavelry carbines of the day.

[WILCO]

This worth a read.


Yep. Good stuff.

[PAT303]

I shot my No.4 2 groove today with 311291 and 18grns of 2205(H4227) and it shot under 1.5'' at 100.I was really impressed. Pat

[rmcc]

Yes, cast bullet. I have no idea on weight range of bullet. Most shots would be taken at 100yds or less.

Rich

[Piedmont]

rmcc, Since you are in the US, put Old West Moulds in a search engine and email the proprietor asking if he still has .316-210 (or .316-220, can't remember exactly). I have this mould and bought it a long time ago, but Bernie still has the cherries and if it hasn't worn down too much it will make a great .303 mould. It weighs 220 grains, has .316 bands and a .305 nose, is a bore ride design and the point is blunt and goes into a meplat of somewhere around %50. It shoots well in every .303 I have tried it in and is heavy enough to put a smack on something.

Then get Buckshot to make you a .316 sizer die.

[JeffinNZ]

My field load for my SMLE is a .315 180gr FN cast in air cooled WW over 37gr H4350 for 1900fps. Shoots very well.

[Canuck Bob]

Please delete if inappropriate.

Here's a resource for Smelly addicts and people who revere the greatest single battle rifle in the history of two world wars. Yes, I have learned to temper my opinion over the years and admit there were some other capable rifles but I've forgot thier names. The Lee Enfield was a battle proven club that was deadly to 600 or 700 yards. It brought my family home from Dieppe, Juno Beach, Sicily, Italy, Holland and the wrong side of the Rhine River. It also killed a few moose, polar bears, antelope, lions, tigers, elephants, and buffalo, and in my case a rabbit or two.

http://www.303british.com/

[longbow]

You would be hard pressed to find a better bullet and mould than this one:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=107545

It might be a bit heavy for what you want but you can slug your bore then order the mould to fit.

I bought one at 0.316" for my No. 5 in the last GB. Sized to 0.315" for the throat they shoot very well.

Longbow