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.303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:31 pm
by Stuck
Hi all,
I own a No.5 "Jungle Carbine" that I like to take out and play with once in a while, I've only ever put factory rounds down the barrel & was wondering if some kind soul would confirm a safe starting load please?
Quickload doesn't seem to want to help on this one but I would like to use a 174gn bullet with N140 powder, Viht manual suggests a starting load of 38.4gn can someone please confirm this is a safe load in a No.5?
Rifle is in very good condition & has been fine on factory loads, I will only be using her at short ranges so not too interested in anything racy.
Thanks in advance,
Mick.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:34 pm
by Alpha1
I don't own a No5 but my standard load in my SMLE my No4 and my P14 is 174grain bullet with 41grains of Vitavouri N140.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:40 pm
by Stuck
Bloody hell Alpha1 that was a quick reply!
Thanks very much :cheers:
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:39 pm
by dromia
Go by the published Vihtavuori data, the No 5 is made for the standard 303 pressure maximum which is what Vihtavuori will have tested to.
What was wrong with QL?
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:51 pm
by Stuck
I couldn't find any .303 bullets to select, didn't search every bullet file I will admit.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:57 pm
by dromia
Sierra 174 MKs at 0.311", in the list.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:10 pm
by Stuck
dromia wrote:Sierra 174 MKs at 0.311", in the list.
Thanks very much.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:57 pm
by ovenpaa
39 grains of N140 is quite nice with the SMK 174's
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:28 pm
by saddler
https://sites.google.com/site/britmilam ... all-page-2
Ball Cordite Mark V
The pure lead core of the Ball Mark IV proved to be a mistake, as instances occurred of the soft lead core being blown through the envelope, necessitating a change in design.
To overcome this problem the core was changed back to the usual 98/2% lead/antimony alloy and this became the “Cartridge S.A. Ball .303 inch Cordite Mark V”, approved in October 1899 to design RL10575 and shown in LoC Paragraph 9861 dated November 1899.
The addition of the lighter antimony to the core meant that the bullet was marginally longer than the Mark IV to maintain the weight at 215 grains but in other espects it was similar to the Ball Mark IV.
The Ball Mark V briefly became the issue operational round for British troops, but concerns about the legality of this and the previous Mark under the terms of the St.Petersburg Declaration and the Hague Convention led to manufacture being stopped after 1900 and the Mark II re-instated as the standard ball cartridge. The Ball Mark V made a brief re-appearance in the 1903/04 manufacturing year when nearly six million rounds were made for use in an expedition to Somaliland.
Re: .303 Enfield Mk5 Load
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 5:46 pm
by Maggot
ovenpaa wrote:39 grains of N140 is quite nice with the SMK 174's
Got some nice results with 38.5 and 180gr S&Bs too D after chatting to you.
I had always used 41.5+
The new S&Bs do seem to be all copper.