Thread: 308 out of a 303

So was recently given some 150g 308 projectiles and tried loading into some 303 cases just for fun. Used 39g of 2208 and lucky the projectiles had crimping grooves because I couldn't quite get enough neck tension, also loaded some 180g .311 projectiles I was given
I was shocked and how well the 308's grouped, under a inch at 50m. The 180's and the other hand were little over 1.5 inch at 50m
Might have to get a 308 mandrel for my 303 collet die to achieve better neck tension and carry out a bit more load development for the 180's

Folks been doing it for years.try some Speer projectiles,they might work better still.

Greetings,
The wide Enfield lands generally give reasonable accuracy with undersize projectiles as it was designed to do for war time production ammo. The two groove barrels can be even better. This assumes that the barrel crown has not been damaged with a cleaning rod or pull through.
GPM.

Cant of been that good if they werent going sideways through the target

The 123-125 GRN .310 jobbies made for the 7.62x39mm are another option worth exploring...if they group ok for you it gives a super low recoil option in your hand and smaller animal has less body resistance so arguably better /cleaner killing.

I load the Speer 130 HP

Lapua also did/ do a 185 .309 bullet D47 I think is the designation. I have some but havent shot them in either .303 or .308

Get a Lee Factory Crimp die, it will give you perfect neck tension. Well worth $30 or so.

Also agree with the Speer 130gn HP recommendation, they are soft and will obturate to seal the bore.

removing the expander ball in your die could also be an option to have more neck tension.

I'm keen to test a similar thing out in my no4

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

The 123-125 GRN .310 jobbies made for the 7.62x39mm are another option worth exploring...if they group ok for you it gives a super low recoil option in your hand and smaller animal has less body resistance so arguably better /cleaner killing.

thanks M D often wondered how ivan the terrible(7.62x39)fodder would go through the trusty 18"naval gun( no4mk1*.303) and given the latters barrel is 2groove sounds promising to say the least . could well be a suitable option to the .270 terminal blowjob for pesky wee possums .180gn soft nose .303 load is a touch overdon e akin to using the real 18"naval gun to "hunt" rabbits . compost yes wide spread certainly ,anything to eat -not on ya nelly!

I may have rediscovered even better / safer option for that....single ball of 00 buckshot in the x39 case with five grains of trailboss seems to work rather well. It's terminal range would be much shorter so much safer too.i see no reason it won't work in the 303 brit just as well if not better.

@Micky Duck I have about 200 gas checked 200 grain pills that I intended to shoot in 303 but haven't yet, any body interested

You can shoot the 220 grain RN .308's in a .303 with a good bore, they shoot fine. The longer bearing surface helps I think.

I found the other way around is useful also..my old Interarms Mark X in 308 has a well used bore, prob about 50% rifling. It loves a Walker .313 205gn Cast GC HP over 6 gn of RedDot equivalent. Genuine subsonic at 1000fps, 5 in 4 inch at 50m. FWIW. But ineffective out much further than 50m.

Originally Posted by 243wssm

Get a Lee Factory Crimp die, it will give you perfect neck tension. Well worth $30 or so.

Also agree with the Speer 130gn HP recommendation, they are soft and will obturate to seal the bore.

Did that