.303 British making a comeback?

[Pilch]

Like we know, ammo availability plays a part for some people in choosing the calibre of their rifle.

.303 getting passed over for a .308 is a common one.

.303 British seems to be making a comeback though from my observations?

I notice my local stores are stocking a bit more factory ammo these days and quite a few seem to be changing hands through used guns and other sales I've seen.

Has anyone noticed the same? Seems a few off the collectable calibres are returning to active service

[yoshie]

I'm not surprised as it is a great hunting caliber (with appropriate bullets, not fmj) and in a 10 shot fast cycling rifle that can be bought for a few hundred $ makes alot of sense.

[puffnstuff]

Highland .303 ammo definitely seems popular.

I don't know if it's any good but my local stores always have piles of it.

[Warrigul]

I love my .303's.

[BRNOmod2]

Think there are a number of factors at play in this regard - Avaliability of decent quality and price proj and brass from the more common US makers - Remington/Sierra/Hornady etc helps alot. For many years the only commonly encounted brass was overly expensive European produced. From my obsevations many peopel seem to unfortunately base their view on .303's on brief expose to worn out old clunkers and crappy Pakistan etc ammo that will never perform in any rifle no matter how good the bore/headspace etc. Service rifle comps are also quite popular across the country, requiring quality ammo (and rifles) The slow trickle onto the market of VGC ex 1960's Fullbore taget rifle .303's that are far more usable than worn out old bangers and "bubbas" (that have been messed around by those with little understanding of the need for good cleaning, bedding etc) means there are decent units to use.

[Jessie]

Hornady and Highland both always available in .303 Brit at my LGS too lately.

For a few months at least.

[Harts]

I don't know if that highland ammo is anything to go by.

The few people I've seen try it bought it because it was the only thing available, then it shot crap in their rifle

A short-lived comeback for them anyway

[Varmtr]

I don't think the 303 ever left.
Great cal and with the right rifle tweaks the SMLE's and No4's can be made to shoot very well indeed. Even better if using a P14 action then step it up to a 303 Epps and this will give the 30-06 a run for it money.
Sierra make a great match bullet for the 303 and there is a good variety of hunting bullets and weights made for it by others.

[inspector]

There will always be a place for .303.

It's kept going by nostalgia, not because it's a superior cartridge.

Nostalgia never gets superceded

[Warrigul]

There will always be a place for .303.

It's kept going by nostalgia, not because it's a superior cartridge.

Nostalgia never gets superceded

A bit like the .30/30, the .222, the .310 cadet, 7.62 x 54R etc etc.....

[Sakoh]

Nostalgia never gets superceded

Yep.

I read a few shooting forums based in the US as well and .303 British vs .308 Winchester comes up now and again with people looking for the 'pros' of .303 over the .308.

Not a better cartridge by any standard, but it lives on...

Same for 30-30 in lever actions like Warrigul says.

[Pilch]

Not a better cartridge by any standard, but it lives on...

Same for 30-30 in lever actions like Warrigul says.

Fair enough.

I might have to give one of the guys at the range a few $$ to get behind their .303 and see what the fuss is about

[Varmtr]

Nostalgia never gets superceded

Yep.

I read a few shooting forums based in the US as well and .303 British vs .308 Winchester comes up now and again with people looking for the 'pros' of .303 over the .308.

Not a better cartridge by any standard, but it lives on...

Same for 30-30 in lever actions like Warrigul says.

The 303 vs 308 debate good and bad of both but in the end the 303 will do anything the 308 can.

[Sakoh]

Yeah, my first comment sounded a bit harsh against the .303

What I meant to say was on paper in terms of performance the .308 is a better performing cartridge.

In reality though that won't make a difference to a lot of people.

Wasn't trying to slam the .303 as being crap or anything

[Varmtr]

Yeah, my first comment sounded a bit harsh against the .303

What I meant to say was on paper in terms of performance the .308 is a better performing cartridge.

In reality though that won't make a difference to a lot of people.

Wasn't trying to slam the .303 as being crap or anything

She's cool

But your right Sakoh on paper the 308 has the edge but in the real world is there is stuff all. What really lets the 303 down was the actions mostly the SMLE due to lower pressure ratings, the No4's are better. But to get the true potential out of the cartridge step up to a P14 action now you can get it cranking. So much so I have seen one chambered in 303 Epps and with no pressure signs its punching out 180's at 30-06 speeds. So the cartridge has potential but most like the simple route and go 308 etc.

I'm in the process of building 303/6mm on a No4 Mk1 action I would have liked a P14 action but was given the No4. So I know I wont get the true potential but not worried. This build is heading down with match grade S/S fluted barrel, huber concepts trigger, cnc alloy stock with a few tweaks, custom picatinny rail, trued action, my speed lock system plus a lot more. Why you ask? because I can and some of the mods I'm doing and have done has never been tried. Especially in regards to the bedding system I'm doing.

Any way this going off track more will be reviled at a later date.

[Westy]

Weird Huh,we grew up with 303 and I bought my first one a 14 for like $35-00 in the trading post.it came with a couple of hundred rounds that this old guy had,we shot it and thought it was great untill I bought my first 270 with a 6x busnell banner on it and at 17 and at that time that was really something LOL!!!!If the old 303 comes back great but to those of us from back in the day it will always be just a 303 and like asshole everyone has one.Now if Sako or tikka bring one out it then be worth the look IMHO I hear the japs don't like them at all LOL,I'm going to pay for this