303 British and wildcats

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I just love the versility of the old british cartridge that has been around for over a hundred years. I have rifles in 303, 303Epps, 303/270, 303/25 and a spare barrel in 303/22.

Working with cast boolits, I have driven 100gn PC'd ones to 2,700 in the 303/25.

https://i.imgur.com/RVF9hLM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tXAKmXD.jpg

[Winger Ed.]

I've often thought that if it wasn't for that ugly two piece stock, the Enfield & the .303 would have rode along in popularity with
Mausers and '03 Springfields at the same level and degree of popularity and customizing.

[smithnframe]

I've often thought that if it wasn't for that ugly two piece stock, the Enfield & the .303 would have rode along in popularity with
Mausers and '03 Springfields at the same level and degree of popularity and customizing.
I agree!

[square butte]

Always enjoy your posts Bad *** Wallace - Good to know how the under side of the world lives . . .

[flint45]

The .303 is a great cartridge and I love Enfields just the way they are.

[Tatume]

I use the 303 British case as the parent for a rimmed 35 Remington. Nice strong case that works beautifully.

30 Krag would work too.

[dverna]

BAW,
Have not seen the name Epps for a long time. I was born and raised in Ontario Canada so got to know about him 5 decades ago.

The Rangemaster at the University of Toronto Gun Club used to shoot tuned .303’s at 1000 yards. The old fellow had shot at the long range matches in England. I learned a lot from the guy. Those Enfields could be made to shoot.

Back then I could buy them for $15....wish I had bought a bunch.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

My 303 Epps is built on a Remington P14 action and fitted with an A.J.Parker Model 5B aperature sight. With handloads it will do everything the 30.06 can do. The 'improved case holds approx/ 5gns more powder than the parent case.

https://i.imgur.com/6ZHTzV8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1klwRef.jpg

[Stephen Cohen]

I am waiting for an Epps reamer that was to be loaned to me from a mate who passed a few weeks back and I have not seen it as yet, I had hoped to do one on a Large Martini I have and a new 308 barrel. As a young lad I shot big bore and many still used the 303 No4 and were very competitive but the Omark and the 7.62 Nato round eventually put he 303 out to pasture. As a hunting rifle I would not feel out classed with an old 303 Lee Enfield. I would that p14 is the ideal platform for the Epps. Regards Stephen

[clearwater]

How would a 375-303 fair?

[samari46]

There is another 375 - 303 wildcat. Called the 37 rimmed and is nothing more than the 303 British case necked up to 375 with no other changes. A slight bulge remains where part of the original neck was. I took a Greek HXP case and ran it through a Lyman M die body that I had put a .375 expander and did it in one pass. Though if I was doing a bunch of cases I'd anneal first. Frank

[Stephen Cohen]

I have seen the 375/303 and it is quiet a good cartridge, I have thought about a 416/303 as well, I have one in my cartridge collection. I think the 303 has had as many wildcats built of it as the 30/06 if not more, Regards Stephen

[samari46]

I was on the nitroexpress forums and asked about the 37 rimmed. Within about an hour I had a print of the cartridge. Now all I have to do is find someone who can make me a reamer. Frank

[Stephen Cohen]

I was on the nitroexpress forums and asked about the 37 rimmed. Within about an hour I had a print of the cartridge. Now all I have to do is find someone who can make me a reamer. Frank

You could chamber with a standard 303 Reamer by changing the 303 reamer pilot to a 375 pilot and throat it with a 375 throating reamer. That is how I had my 375 Whelen done and it shoot like a dream. Regards Stephen

[samari46]

Have a semi turned barrel blank in 375 caliber with either 1x12 or 1x14 twist and the blank slugs out at .377. Still would prefer a reamer for this cartridge though. Frank

[Pioneer2]

.375-.303 Axite

[3leggedturtle]

Just hope to have a Martini Henry in 35/303 back and shooting in a month or so.

[Yukoner]

There is a fellow up here who has a 375/303Br reamer, and has barrelled up a number of Lee Enfield rifles. It is essentially a 38-55 magnum (intentionally with a small "m"), as it bests the original round by 400 fps.

Ted

[samari46]

When I necked up a 303 case there was just a very tiny ring which was all that was left of the shoulder. So for all intents it looks like a 38-55 case on steroids. Wonder where one could find dies?. Frank

[Yukoner]

Bob anneals a regular 303 Br sizing die, bores out and polishes the neck section to resize for the 375 bullet, and hardens it again. I think he just bores out the seating die without needing to anneal.

Ted

[bruce drake]

so...for the 303-25, is the 257 barrel chambered with a 257 Roberts or 250 savage reamer first and then finished with a 303 Brit with a .258 collar on the front of the reamer?? PTG is currently offering a 303-25 reamer set but only for sale not rent. ER Shaw offers new P14 barrels that won't break the bank as well (button rifled 1-10" twist with heavy sporter profile)

The reason I ask is that I have a complete Winchester P14 action and sporterized stock and I just happened to find a new LEE Precision 3-die set on E-Bay that didn't break the bank. I was going to barrel it with a 300 Win Mag barrel I had on the shelf but I love 25 caliber rifles as well.

[MT Gianni]

I don't think many in the US appreciate the genius of Elwood Epps nor the versatility of the Enfield and the mad minute.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have another 303 wildcat - 303/270 built on a Savage No.4 action. Just starting to load 134gn Lyman GC&PC'd cast boolit.

[bruce drake]

I have another 303 wildcat - 303/270 built on a Savage No.4 action. Just starting to load 134gn Lyman GC&PC'd cast boolit.

Hey BAW! You mentioned you had a spare 303/22 barrel in an earlier post. Is it threaded for a Enfield #4 action by chance? And do you have dies as well? send me a PM and perhaps we could discuss it more.

Bruce