smle quickload check

[shotgun sam]

am soon getting an 1917 SMLE 303 can someone do a quickload check for me I will be using Vit N140 powder, Privi brass and 174 grain fmj.

Thanks

Sam

[ovenpaa]

The accepted 'accuracy' load is 41 grains of N140 however this can be fine tuned and I prefer to shoot closer to the 39,5 grain mark.

Please use the following data as a guide only, also I have used the lower QL SAAMI pMax of 49,000psi.

Cartridge : .303 British (SAAMI)
Bullet : .311, 174, PrviPartizan FMJ BT B-143
Useable Case Capaci: 48.521 grain H2O = 3.150 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 25.2 inch = 640.1 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N140

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.602% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-06.0 89 39.00 2406 2237 40241 5902 99.6 1.412
-05.4 90 39.25 2419 2261 40956 5927 99.7 1.401
-04.8 90 39.50 2433 2286 41684 5951 99.7 1.390 ! Near Maximum !
-04.2 91 39.75 2446 2311 42424 5975 99.8 1.379 ! Near Maximum !
-03.6 91 40.00 2459 2336 43177 5998 99.8 1.369 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 92 40.25 2472 2361 43944 6020 99.9 1.358 ! Near Maximum !
-02.4 92 40.50 2485 2386 44724 6041 99.9 1.348 ! Near Maximum !
-01.8 93 40.75 2498 2412 45517 6061 100.0 1.338 ! Near Maximum !
-01.2 94 41.00 2511 2437 46325 6081 100.0 1.327 ! Near Maximum !
-00.6 94 41.25 2524 2462 47147 6100 100.0 1.317 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 95 41.50 2537 2487 47983 6118 100.0 1.307 ! Near Maximum !
+00.6 95 41.75 2550 2513 48834 6135 100.0 1.298 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 95 41.50 2622 2656 56996 5866 100.0 1.224 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 95 41.50 2410 2244 39140 6234 97.5 1.419

[Steve E]

Although Ovenpaa has given some good data, until you start loading for your rifle you won't know what works. Every rifle is different.
You may find that the Privi 174 fmjs are not suited to your barrel or that Privi cases don't work but for example, Sierra 180 Flat base and Winchester brass is. You need to slug your barrel to find out what its dimensions are. Flat based or boat-tail bullets? Until you have tried both and from different manufacturers you will not know what is best.
The .303 in a military chamber can be one of the worst/most difficult cartridges to load.
I have two .303s, one a P14 and the other a No4. They both need different bullets, different cases and different powder loads to get the best out of them. With a lot of work I have loads that will hold 1-2 MOA out to 1000yds. I gave up a few years ago with a 1916 SMLE as the bore/throat was so oversize that it was'nt worth perservering with.

[shotgun sam]

Ovenpaa, Steve E,

Thanks for getting back to me the barrel was slugged at just over 0.311.

I was just wanting a starting point for reloading and would refine it from there.
My 223 Tikka T3 likes every case I have ever thrown at it but my brother in laws 223 Howa 1500 is a nightmare case wise.

I bought the SMLE more for the fact of wanting to own a bit of history but also want to shoot it.
The gun arrived at my RFD last night so hopefully when I get home tonight my variation will be in the post.

Sam

[ovenpaa]

I do agree with Steve that to get an accurate load takes a lot of perseverance and time. Start with new brass if at all possible, I never mix my .303 brass from rifle to rifle, I only neck size and work with conservative loads as I am not shooting to 1000 yards with them these days. My latest .303 is being started off with 150 grain flat base bullets and I hope to develop an accurate load for out to 300 yards and I will only occasionally push it out to 800.

One thing I will say about the SMLE is I measured success as anything under a 5" group at 100 yards with my first SMLE (1915 BSA) My 4(T) returned 12" 3 shot groups at 1000 yards on a still day so a huge difference and I still consider my P14 to be the most accurate .303 I have even owned or shot so do not assume that because one .303 is a modest shot another will not give superb results with time.

Best of luck with the rifle and reloading and remember to post a picture when it arrives tongueout