BP 303 loads

[RyanJames170]

Have any of you tried to load, shoot BP in the 303, I know the original loading was 70gr of powder with a 200gr bullet, how ever most people can only get around 50gr in a case. I have read of a few people getting close to 70gr in a case compressing it in stages.

I would be curious to hear what you guys have done, load wise and how it did.

[indian joe]

Have any of you tried to load, shoot BP in the 303, I know the original loading was 70gr of powder with a 200gr bullet, how ever most people can only get around 50gr in a case. I have read of a few people getting close to 70gr in a case compressing it in stages.

I would be curious to hear what you guys have done, load wise and how it did.

303 loads . ? dont know if this is true or a story but been told that cordite charges (long sticks of it) were inserted into the cylindrical case before completion of the forming process (body taper neck and shoulder) - might be the only to get 70 grains of black into that case in an efficient manner ???

[Gewehr-Guy]

A guy on U-Tube has a few episodes on reloading and shooting the 303 with black. Very interesting, the name of his channel is Everything Black Powder.

[challenger_i]

True story: that was the cordite loading procedure.

303 loads . ? dont know if this is true or a story but been told that cordite charges (long sticks of it) were inserted into the cylindrical case before completion of the forming process (body taper neck and shoulder) - might be the only to get 70 grains of black into that case in an efficient manner ???

[john.k]

A compressed pellet of powder was used ,a moulded solid piece with a hole in the middle for the primer flash........if blackpowder is compressed under pressure the sulfur becomes plastic and unites the components into a solid ....This was not unique to 303 , many European 8mms used the same process to get the desired performance from blackpowder rounds

[RyanJames170]

A guy on U-Tube has a few episodes on reloading and shooting the 303 with black. Very interesting, the name of his channel is Everything Black Powder.

I just seen both that guys videos got like 55 and then 71.5gr of powder, think he needs a 200gr bullet though.

[john.k]

if you cram 70gr of loose powder into a a case,there is no where for the primer flash to go,and its not impossible to tear the case in half and send it down the barrel ,where it may stick ,causing a bulge next shot.

[Thundermaker]

[freakonaleash]

https://youtu.be/XAUNfCF2Bj0?si=mN1QjXqo4uyG87sE

What's this have to do with the subject?

[Nobade]

What's this have to do with the subject?

It's a video about loading the 303 with black powder and how to get 70 grains in the case?

[john.k]

However ,technically incorrect ,and no more than tinkering

[delftshooter]

However ,technically incorrect ,and no more than tinkering

however until you manage to make the equipment needed to make a proper 303 bp cartridge, dont complain at someones attempt to feel special. Its mean.

[Thundermaker]

However ,technically incorrect ,and no more than tinkering

Well, he technically loaded some ammunition and successfully fired it. I don't know what else you want.

[RyanJames170]

I did watch that guys video about the 71gr of powder kinda nuts it worked as well as it did, from seeing what he had for results I almost think the powder pellet the British used was made from 4F.

I do wonder what the chamber pressure was on this stuff though. I am pretty sure nothing harmful to the rifle giving its nitro profed.

I do want to give the 55gr load a try just with a heavier bullet though

[Thundermaker]

I did watch that guys video about the 71gr of powder kinda nuts it worked as well as it did, from seeing what he had for results I almost think the powder pellet the British used was made from 4F.

I do wonder what the chamber pressure was on this stuff though. I am pretty sure nothing harmful to the rifle giving its nitro profed.

I do want to give the 55gr load a try just with a heavier bullet though

The original load had a solid pellet of powder that had a hole through the center, much like a modern pyrodex pellet. As for pressures, I can't say. There are a lot of figures floating around.