Enfield .303 correct magazine loading method

[Mauserbill]

Hello
For all members who do not already know that there is a particular method of loading Enfield 303 rimmed cases into magazines, you may find the attached useful.
I apologise to older members who already know this.

[20series]

3 up, 2 down

Alsn

[Pinguino]

2 up, 3 down - easy to remember - just like the old house designation ... 3 up, 2 down was a 1980's tv sitcom.

[Mattnall]

3 up, 2 down

Alsn

2 Up, 3 Down, according to the article.

That's how I've always done it.

[billgatese30]

It depends on your perspective and what you consider to be "up", or "down". To be fair I've always just handloaded either single round, or 5 at a time.

[Rearlugs]

It doesn't actually matter what sequence the rounds are in the charger - the magazine itself sorts out the cartridges so that bottom rims are to the rear.

I think the "two up three down" was mainly intended to provide a nice symmetric charger for insertion into bandoleers and pouches.

Back in the day, a lot of competition shooters would load the chargers as "rim over rim over rim over over rim"; all five rounds slanted one way in the charger. This was supposed to aid speed loading and avoid jams although, as mentioned, the magazine will auto-sort the rounds anyway, so long as they are stripped off the charger in a brisk soldierly manner.

[Mauserbill]

Hello
Reminds me of the song "The grand old duke of York"

And when they were up they were up.
And when they were down they were down.
And when they were only half way up,
They were neither up nor down.