Help me fix my .303s

[Tower75]

Hello, all.

I was wondering if I may ask, I've two .303 themed questions for your pondering.

1) With my P14 I find that I really have to dial-up the sights. When shooting at 300 yards I have to have the sights set to about 700+ yards in order to get the thing on target. Don't get me wrong, she can still hit V-bulls, but that still doesn't seem right to me.

Why would that be, is it purely because I'm not using MkVII cartridges? The latest round of shooting has been with factory PPU.

2) Both my SMLE MkIII and P14 shoot to the left. With military irons all one can do is aim-off. I assume, perhaps however wrongly, that they'll need a re-zero by competent gunsmiths.

Has anyone else had this issue that has gone down this route that can kindly offer advise?

Kind regards,
Tower75

[saddler]

1. Try proper Mil-surp .303 ammo. Seems WAY off!
What height front sight blade is fitted?
2. The windage is adjustable on both as the front sight is in the dovetail

Advice is spelt with a C not an S

[Tower75]

If I'm honest, I'm not sure what height the blade is, I shall have a gander when I get home.

I believe both blades are pinned in, so I'm not sure if it's something that I could tackle myself.

Sentences finish with a full stop.

[Gaz]

They're both clearly damaged beyond repair. Give me a tenner and I'll dispose of them hassle-free for you.

[Tower75]

They're both clearly damaged beyond repair. Give me a tenner and I'll dispose of them hassle-free for you.

You're a gent, Gaz. Cheers.

[HALODIN]

Sentences finish with a full stop.

[Fedaykin]

1. Try proper Mil-surp .303 ammo. Seems WAY off!
What height front sight blade is fitted?
2. The windage is adjustable on both as the front sight is in the dovetail

Advice is spelt with a C not an S

Good luck trying to find some real Mil-Surp .303 ammo! What is left is dodgy ancient corrosive stuff if you can find it at all. I have one box of 1982 HXP which is not for sale by the by.

I will be interested to see what that new Hornady Vintage match is like that Edgars are bringing in soon according to the latest edition of Shooting Sports. Got an RFD friend that gets in Hornady who said he might be able to sort me some soon:

http://www.hornady.com/store/303-Britis ... age-Match/

I must admit I do wonder if EAS/Hellenic Defence Systems the company that in effect is the modern day ancestor of Pyrkal that manufactured HXP still have the tooling kicking around to make .303 and 30-06. There would be a ready market if they could launch a line similar to that done by PPU. One way of helping their economy recover one bullet at a time

[huntervixen]

I have tried WW2 dated ammo, not good...one round left my SMLE and span head over tail down range, sounding like an angry hornet, leaving a perfect .303 profile through my target!

[saddler]

I've got a few boxes of the RG & other such British surp., plus a few of HXP.

[Watcher]

Try and work up a load to match the velocity of a military standard load. That should help you with the elevation provided that no-one has changed the blade. You are looking at something that runs at 2,450 fps (from memory). I use IMR 4895 behind a 174 grain SMK bullet out of PPU cases. Once you get to a load that replicates the velocity you could then drift the front sight blade.