303 die set advice wanted

[Flanker]

I haven't got a 303 but I will have eventually. I took the chance to acquire a used 2-die RCBS set for a reasonable price this week. I'm sure they'll be good.

What do you think is the most "flat-shooting" performance you can get from a 125gr bullet. I really want to go stalking with a 303 one day.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Question - are die sets from different brands compatible? So would RCBS dies work in a Lee press?

[Flanker]

Question - are die sets from different brands compatible? So would RCBS dies work in a Lee press?

I have an RCBS primer pocket swaging die, alarmed by your post I have just checked it in my Lee press and it does fit perfectly. Nicely made the RCBS stuff.....

[Alpha1]

All reloading dies are a standard size they will fit in any make of reloading press.

What do you think is the most "flat-shooting" performance you can get from a 125gr bullet. I really want to go stalking with a 303 one day.

There are better rifles for stalking than .303. I am not sure a 125 grain bulit would be the best choice for deer stalking. But then I dont now any thing about killing Bambi I have never shot a live animal.

[ovenpaa]

All modern screw in dies should fit all presses as they have the same thread (7/8 x 14TPI) the notable exception being the big stuff such as .50BMG and some presses have an insert that can be unscrewed to allow you to use the larger dies, Die threads were standardised many years ago so even buying oldish second hand dies for a new press should be OK.

EDIT - As as Alpha says

[Flanker]

All reloading dies are a standard size they will fit in any make of reloading press.

What do you think is the most "flat-shooting" performance you can get from a 125gr bullet. I really want to go stalking with a 303 one day.

There are better rifles for stalking than .303. I am not sure a 125 grain bulit would be the best choice for deer stalking. But then I dont now any thing about killing Bambi I have never shot a live animal.

I think a 125gr bullet would be effective on red deer, and in a 303 would shoot flat enough to hit the spot at ranges out to 150m. I can't really see me ever trying to take a deer much further out. You're right there are better rounds, I just harbour the romantic notion that 303 is a real gun because I've wanted my own one ever since I was in the cadets (a long time ago) I think it would work if I operated within the limits of the rifle.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Excellent! Now all I need is a set of .303 neck sizing dies (do they normally de-prime the cartridges as well?), a bullet seating die and a press. And powder.. And primers... D'oh!

I think a 125gr bullet would be effective on red deer, and in a 303 would shoot flat enough to hit the spot at ranges out to 150m.

A good friend of mine has stalked with a sporterized SMLE - I'll ask him what ammo he used!

[Tower75]

Excellent! Now all I need is a set of .303 neck sizing dies (do they normally de-prime the cartridges as well?)

Yes, normally, but if you are only going to neck size then it's generally advisable to fire-form your cases first, and keep your brass separate. Not a probable if you only have one .303, but if you have more, keep your fire-formed cases from Rifle A and use them in Rifle A only. Keep Rifle B's brass and use them in Rifle B etc.

[dromia]

All reloading dies are a standard size they will fit in any make of reloading press

Not quiet true, as David has said there are larger die sets out there not just for the 50BMG but .577" Snider and.577"/,450" Martini rounds and 12 bore shotgun amongst others. Most good quality single stage presses have a bushing that when removed these larger dies will fit those threads.

Then there are the Lyman 310 die sets made for their famous 310 handtool as well as their 310 reloading press (no longer in production). These are fine dies sets but smaller in diameter with a finer thread and won't fit the "standard" presses.

These dies are very common second hand and unless you have a Lyman 310 press or hand press then the won't work, they are quiet easy to spot as they are black and are noticeably smaller.

They neck size only and enjoy using them and they make fine ammunition, I use them in the 310 hand tools and a Tru Line Junior turret press.

I used to make 303" stalking ammunition with a 310 hand tool in the bothy when I was a young stalker, the keeper who owned the kit swore by it producing all his own stalking ammunition from a collection of different components rather than the estates issue Kynoch and Norma ammunition.

[dromia]

There are better rifles for stalking than .303. I am not sure a 125 grain bulit would be the best choice for deer stalking. But then I dont now any thing about killing Bambi I have never shot a live animal.

I think a 125gr bullet would be effective on red deer, and in a 303 would shoot flat enough to hit the spot at ranges out to 150m. I can't really see me ever trying to take a deer much further out. You're right there are better rounds, I just harbour the romantic notion that 303 is a real gun because I've wanted my own one ever since I was in the cadets (a long time ago) I think it would work if I operated within the limits of the rifle.

The .303" is a fine red deer calibre and has probably killed more reds in the the Highlands of Scotland than any other calibre. It is my calibre of choice when I go out for the beasts. I use the Hornady 150 gn sp very successfully and the load is good out to 200 yrds without much elevation adjustment, just a little lift of the aiming point if the animal is near 200.

Granted there are flatter shooting, longer range and equally as deadly cartridges for red's. However I was brought up that stalking was about stalking and that meant getting your "gun" for the day position for a shot at 150 yrds or less, that was the name of the game. As stalkers with estate issue rifles we had no telescopic sights and would go to the hinds and fill the larders with open sights. When you can see hair then you are close enough one keeper would tell me.

Taking shots over 200 yrds on reds shows a lack of stalking skill or desparation, there is always tomorrow. Neither of which reflects well on the shooter. The Highlands are not the game plains of Africa nor the Montana prairie.