No4 Mk1, 85 gr pistol JB's, suggested powder and load?

[N4AUD]

I traded for a No4 Mk1 recently, and slugged the barrel at .312. I've cast some boolits for it but I'm waiting on some gas checks. I loaded some today without gas checks and they worked fine. I noticed I have a box of 85 gr Hornady XTP's that are .312 on the bench and nothing else to shoot them with so I figured "why not?" but none of my manuals list any loads for so light bullet. I want a fast powder for this light JB, right? Anybody else shot something this light in a .303? They should be OK for plinking at close ranges I would guess.

[Janoosh]

Research Larry Gibson's loads for pistol boolits/bullets in .30ish cal rifles. There are just too many loads to remember offhand. I use 10grns Green Dot and whatever primer. My load is not listed anywhere that I know....so....use at your own risk...I just have a lot of Green Dot to use. Lots of fun...on the chee....frugally.

[hardy]

Hi,my old shooting mentor got me using 10 grns Unique with that same projectile 20 years back in a #4 Mk 2.
Good accurate fun load,no idea on fps and you,ll have to fiddle with your elevation but smack on the money.
You use this info at your own peril.Good luck,Mike

[N4AUD]

I'll have to research Larry Gibson's loads. I do have some Unique on hand.

[Janoosh]

Also research "Cat Sneeze" or "Mouse Fart" loads. Lots of good info there.....tooo much to list here....great fun those loads!

[N4AUD]

Yeah, I found the mouse fart thread. I loaded up 5 with 4 gr of Bullseye. They hit low at 25 yards, scarcely any noise. I may up the charge a little tomorrow.

[bruce drake]

12gr of Red Dot with either a 85gr or 100gr .312 Hornady hollow-point are just downright murder on rabbits within 100 yards. I use the 300 yard sight setting on my Enfield No 4 for 100 yards and they are right in there. After 100yds they slow down and start spreading around the target if there is any wind.

Bruce

[Larry Gibson]

I've used the XTPs in my Ross M10 but not a SMELE. Suggest 10 gr of Unique to start and work to 14 gr. That should put it in the 1600 - 1800 fps range and that is explosive in 'bits as Bruce mentions.

Larry Gibson