So what's .303 got going for it?

[meles meles]

Okay oomans, what has .303 got going for it? Or maybe it hasn't anymore.

We have a few Enfields that shoot 303, but we're wondering if a modern rifle could be used to shoot 303 too. Maybe using 303 bullets (actually .310 aren't they?) but from a 7.62x51 case to get round the rim problems. New case, old bullet calibre....

[dromia]

Badgers have rim problems?

I wonder what sort of behaviour gives them that?

[meles meles]

Honi soit qui mal y pense...

[WelshShooter]

They are .311" actually and there's nothing much else other than 7.62x54mmR that use the same diameter projectile which is also rimmed.


The only reason I shoot a 303 is purely because I really like the Lee Enfields. I wouldn't bother with modern rifles in this calibre. Not sure if this answers your question or not.

[ovenpaa]

Why b****** the cartridge, surely it is better to take something like a Sako donor action, open the bolt face to suit, add a new LW barrel with a CIP .303 chamber and see how a brand new .303 performs.

The Sako bolt face is easy enough to open to suit the .303, this was on a TRG-S opening a .308 to magnum (.540"/13,72mm) however it demonstrates the process and a .303BF is virtually the same: http://shootingshed.co.uk/wp/wp-content ... t-Face.jpg

[dromia]

The 303 is a fine round and I have found to be a far better 1000 yrd target round than the 308.

However were the 303 is let down is on bullet choice, in the premium bullet line you have the SMK 174 gn and that is about it.

However an Intelligent shooter would cast their own and then the only limitation to bullet design is your imagination

[dromia]

Honi soit qui mal y pense...

Wearing bloody garters as well, sounds like you are in a really deviant sett.

[TomEnfield]

It's mega, quite simply cartridge design reached it's zenith in 1889 with the introduction of .303, everything else has been down hill since then.

There's lots of theory's, knocking around, about fast rimless cartridges fired from Mauser actioned rifles being superior to .303. This all started during the Boer war when poor accuracy was incorrectly attributed to the Lee action and the .303 round. Actually the Lee Metford's fore sight was incorrectly fitted due to miss a understanding of the Coriolis effect. Meaning that the POI on the Lee Metford was .3ft off to the side of a man at 100m... Once this was corrected the rifles performed admirably.

Like most things to do with weapons and tactics, lots of important people have lots of very intelligent theories that are absolutely right in their eyes. Usually once the rounds start flying and the metal meets the meat these are proved wrong. This was the case with .303 and the SMLE which out classed 7.92 and the Mauser during WW1.

The Lee action and .303 where designed to work perfectly together as a weapon system. When you look at the thought behind the design and how good it is as a battle rifle it's astounding.

[meles meles]

Carry on, ooman, elucidate...

[Sandgroper]

Okay oomans, what has .303 got going for it? Or maybe it hasn't anymore.

We have a few Enfields that shoot 303, but we're wondering if a modern rifle could be used to shoot 303 too. Maybe using 303 bullets (actually .310 aren't they?) but from a 7.62x51 case to get round the rim problems. New case, old bullet calibre....

What you're proposing is basically the 7.65 Argentine https://www.norma.cc/us/Products/Hunting/765-Argentine/