303 lightweight loads?

[tarnagulla]

Season's Greetings All - I am hoping for advice on loads (target/plinking) for a Martini-Henry carbine, using a 122gr cast projectile sized to .313 (maybe not ideal choice, but I happen to have a pile!). I would prefer not to bother with gas checks, so lower velocity is not really a problem? Red Dot? Blue Dot?
I am assuming a "filler" of some sort will be needed though, and any suggestions there would be welcome too!
Cheers from out in the Mallee scrub,
tarnagulla

[94Doug]

I would think either Unique or 2400 loads could be fairly light with no filler, same with Trail Boss, if you can get your hands on some.

[DevilDog83]

Years ago I loaded 7grs of Unique behind a 185 gr. "Lee" boolit and it gave me about 880 fps out of my old Enfield. No recoil, no loud noise and they held pretty well to about 25 yards. After thet they seemed to tumble or stray

[matm0702]

I would try not more than 6-7 grains of red dot with out gas checks. No filler would be needed. Just tip your barrel up before firing.

Mike

[JeffinNZ]

6gr Unique under a 311008 (117gr) gives me rimfire velocity and minute of bunny accuracy.

[Larry Gibson]

I'll suggest Bullseye as the best powder for such loads. Start at 3 gr and work up until you get what you want. (probably around 4 gr). No filler needed. Best accuracy will be with GCs if it is a GC mould but very acceptable accuracy can be had at lower velocity without them, especially with Bullseye.

Larry Gibson

[madsenshooter]

I use 12.5gr of Blue Dot over a 169gr boolit in my Krag. Velocity of the 169 should be around 1250fps. I haven't found it necessary to use filler with Blue Dot, the blast from the primer sends the little flakes all to the front of the case it appears.

[tarnagulla]

Thank you all, gents, for your advice and helpful suggestions. I heard from "smlekid" that this site was unbeatable for information on such matters! I will be happy to post results from my loads, based on your assistance.
Cheers to all,
tarnagulla

[sav300]

Tarnagulla.welcome in from the mallee.Hot and dry this time of the year?

[tarnagulla]

Sure is sav3000 - we are a long way from any sea breeze here! Good weather for loading, under the air-con, but not good for testing said loads!
Cheers