.303 advice

[Dougan]

Hi All.....back for more advice....

I started a thread on .357, but couln't get the Vhit N320 I wanted at the Phoenix (only went up on Sunday :( )...but will let you know how that goes when I get some....

What I did get was the rest of the stuff I need to load .303 (SMLE)

To go with the 500+ PPU cases I've got CCI LR primers, 174 gr HBPT bullets and Vhit N140 powder - several people have said that they use just under 40 gr of powder, and the Vhit guide gives 38.4 as the minimum, so I was planning to start at 39 gr ....what do you reckon?

I've been given some RCBS dies - I don't know how old they are, but they look in good nik. They are in a box marked: Neck Sizer .303 BRIT 15430 - are these suitable? And does anyone have any tips (or quirks) for using these type of dies?

I was planning on only neck sizing as the brass is all fired in the rifle to be used (hopefully giving a better fit and increasing accuracy). When I was checking my 'once fired' against 'unfired' PPU, I noticed that, where as the shoulder on the unfired was straight; the neck on the fired case had been 'rounded' by the chamber, and the case length was actually 7/1000 shorter..which was the opposite of what I expected (?) - could this cause a problem with head-space?

Also, the bullets are excactly the same as the PPU ones, which have a cannelure - so does this mean I need to use a crimp? And if so how hard? And if the crimp isn't exactly spot on in the cannelure (due to gettin the right COL), does it matter?

Again, as with the post about '.357 advice' these are mixed and rambling questions (which got some very helpful and interesting replys last time ), so sorry for that, but any specific answers, or any advice at all on loading .303 British would be greatly appriciated.

Cheers,

John.

[ovenpaa]

Short replies John :(

I am use around 39.5-40.5 grains of N140 with 175SMK's depending on which .303 I am building for.

The RCBS neck sizer is fine, make sure it is nice and clean inside before using it.

Did you shoot the PPV from new in your rifle? The slightly rounded shoulder should be just the case forming to the chamber shape however a picture would be good.

Have checked head space on your rifle recently? I am always slightly wary with .303's and check mine periodically.

I never crimp .303

[Dougan]

Cheers for the quick repsonse Ovenpaa,

Yes the cases are fired from new. As for a picture - you're pushing my 'tech' abillities :? . But the shoulder is noticably curved inwards (as opposed to straight) and shorter in length, as if it's pulled down...

If I don't crimp does it mater about the cannalure? And if you don't crimp, how do you know if the bullet is held firm enough?

As for head-space - I usually get my .308 checked at Fultons (but this is for a know round - RUAG). Is there a way I can do this for my self with my reloads?

John.

[ovenpaa]

A picture really would be handy, if you can email one over I will post it up for you. I will PM you my mail address.

The neck sizing should reduce the case neck diameter to give you the correct grip and neck tension, cleaning the inside of the neck is as important as cleaning the outside as it gives more consistent neck tension and aids with accuracy. The cannulare (I never spell it correctly!) groove can be visible, this is fine.

Head spacing, I was reading this a while ago and found it quite informative in some areas:

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsfo ... eagmj-mnvo

Let me say now I do not agree with some of the linked article and use dedicated gauges to check mine.

[Dougan]

OK so the die will take care of the neck size and bullet grip - will make sure to clean the inside of the neck (the tumbling media i got at the Phoenix made a good job of the outside - certainly better than the rice i was using on my .357 cases!)

Thanks for the link on headspace - I will read it properly later. I'm sure I can sort a photo ( may take a while), but it's been a long day, and I've got a Curry simmering in the kitchen . I'm off down the range after work tomorrow, so It'll probably be Friday before I get one posted.

Until then, Thank you.

John

[ovenpaa]

The curry and shooting bits sound good, I assume the rice you were tumbling with is not going to accompany the curry?

[Alpha1]

41grains of N140 works very well in my .303 rifles with a 174grain bullet.
This includes a
303 SMLE
No4
P14
I find that flat base bullets work best. No need to crimp.

[Doz]

Up until recently (when I ran out of N140) I was using 40 grains of N140 in HXP brass with Prvi 174 grain FMJ bullets in my No. 4 - I also tried 41 grains and found very little difference in performance so went for the skinflint approach! Now using 40.5 grains of Vectan TU3000 as it was all I could get at the time, it works very well. Brass is neck-sized using a Lee collet die. In all cases the bullet's seated quite long with the cannelure showing. I never crimp them.

[dodgyrog]

Hi All.....back for more advice....

I started a thread on .357, but couln't get the Vhit N320 I wanted at the Phoenix (only went up on Sunday :( )...but will let you know how that goes when I get some....

What I did get was the rest of the stuff I need to load .303 (SMLE)

To go with the 500+ PPU cases I've got CCI LR primers, 174 gr HBPT bullets and Vhit N140 powder - several people have said that they use just under 40 gr of powder, and the Vhit guide gives 38.4 as the minimum, so I was planning to start at 39 gr ....what do you reckon?

I've been given some RCBS dies - I don't know how old they are, but they look in good nik. They are in a box marked: Neck Sizer .303 BRIT 15430 - are these suitable? And does anyone have any tips (or quirks) for using these type of dies?

I was planning on only neck sizing as the brass is all fired in the rifle to be used (hopefully giving a better fit and increasing accuracy). When I was checking my 'once fired' against 'unfired' PPU, I noticed that, where as the shoulder on the unfired was straight; the neck on the fired case had been 'rounded' by the chamber, and the case length was actually 7/1000 shorter..which was the opposite of what I expected (?) - could this cause a problem with head-space?

Also, the bullets are excactly the same as the PPU ones, which have a cannelure - so does this mean I need to use a crimp? And if so how hard? And if the crimp isn't exactly spot on in the cannelure (due to gettin the right COL), does it matter?

Again, as with the post about '.357 advice' these are mixed and rambling questions (which got some very helpful and interesting replys last time ), so sorry for that, but any specific answers, or any advice at all on loading .303 British would be greatly appriciated.

Cheers,

John.

Accurate No. 2 and Lovex D 032 have similar burning rates to Viht 320 as does Alliant Red Dot.

[dromia]

I had N320 for sale at the Phoenix.