303 reloading - best/easiest components?

Ds J · May 22, 2025, 05:14 PM

Hi Folks,

Which reloading components would probably give the best results in a 303?

Some info:

The rifle is a No4 Mk2 (PF serial no) in fair to good condition. The barrel was slightly shortened after a kid pushed it into the mud and shot it. The stock has been sporterized. The current owner knows very little about rifles and reloading, so I want to help him set up with a batch of cartridges to get started. It seems that he currently uses milsurp to shoot it in, then buys a box of ammo and goes hunting.

My guess would be 174gr bullets, magnum primers, S355 or equivalent.

Any other suggestions? I hope that someone has found the magic combination for the 303 - something similar to the 87gr VMax bullet for the 243.

What I know for a fact (in my experience) is that PPU 180gr cartridges work like a charm in almost any 303.

oafpatroll · May 22, 2025, 05:17 PM

Quote from: Ds J on May 22, 2025, 05:14 PMThe barrel was slightly shortened after a kid pushed it into the mud and shot it.

Can't help with load data but would have paid to see the lighty's face when he did that. Must have got his attention properly.

Mohamed · May 22, 2025, 07:11 PM

Hornady 174gr, Norma 203B, VV N140 , Varget are some powder options and large rifle primers. PPU or S&B factory ammo works well in mine.

Treeman · May 22, 2025, 08:28 PM

Hornady R/N bullet 174 gr - if you got a .303 that does not shoot these bullets better than wht ever you using, I wanna see it on paper.
At .303 velocities the round nose is no worse than a spitzer bullet in any way, and I believe the larger frontal area makes a huge difference. That bullet on W/hog Impala and Kudu is just unbeatable, its what got me into .303 shooting. I still believe the 7 mm and the .303 bullets have something better about them.
I use S335 and about 2300 fps to drill through anything I hunt.

Ds J · May 22, 2025, 09:10 PM

Hi Folks, thanks a lot!

How about monolithic bullets - just out of interest?

I once helped a family member reload Impala 130gr LWHV for his 303, and they did not group well - most probably due to their length.

Treeman · May 22, 2025, 10:28 PM

Quote from: Ds J on May 22, 2025, 09:10 PMHi Folks, thanks a lot!

How about monolithic bullets - just out of interest?

I once helped a family member reload Impala 130gr LWHV for his 303, and they did not group well - most probably due to their length.

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Mono bullets are speed bullets, they function better faster, almost a fact, but not quite. Mono bullets do not have any give, no obturation in the barrel, so one size does not fit all barrels, and .303 barrels vary from 100 year old to made last week, they also vary from good condition to WTF ?
Stay with slow and heavy .312 bullets, its just the way to go.

Ds J · May 22, 2025, 11:20 PM

Will do, thanks.

Tripodmvr · May 23, 2025, 08:29 AM

Propellants - S341, S335, S355 and even S321.
Bullets - 180gr - pick that is available.

janfred · May 23, 2025, 03:27 PM

174gr Sierra MK, 42.5gr S355 loaded to the same length as the MkVII ball cartridge. Velocity around 2450

For easier recoil, adjust the load to be around 2260fps or 2350fps. I had good results at the mentioned velocities.

The 150gr Ipmala did not do too badly. You can push them a bit faster than the 174gr FMJ