Gunner wrote:Yesterday, I wandered into my local gun shop to purchase a new supply of projectiles for my .303 that is used in military competitions - Sierra Matchking 174 gr in .311 calibre. Well, they were out of stock and could not say when a new supply would be available. Some 10 phone calls and a few emails later to Firearm stores throughout NSW and Queensland, I get the same story - problems with firearm laws in USA, not producing anymore etc etc etc. Does anybody know what is going on? Is there an alternate projectile that would do the job?
Hi Gunner,
I use .311" Sierra Match King a lot for my rifles that take that size bullet.
It's nothing political and nothing concerning firearms laws.
What is happening is that we have a
lot of new shooters. We had a run on ammo, components, firearms, etc when Obama was first elected, and it eventually stopped.
He got elected again and the run started again.
The number of new shooters we have is unprecedented. The last I heard from Winchester, they didn't expect rimfire supply to catch up with demand for two years.
New shooters are burning through ammo, and have become some of the most vocal proponents supporting pro-gun legislation. States that I never figured would ever allow carry of handguns have passed carry license laws.
I would suggest a number of alternates that you may or may not find in ready supply:
• Hornady Match is excellent. Available? I don't know. I've not seen it recently.
• Lapua 200 grain boat tail. This reproduces the Finnish D166 ammo in 7.62x54r and I would imagine it would be similarly outstanding in .303 British.
• I have had good luck with round nose Woodleigh Bullets, and they're right there in Australia! Until the barrel heats too much, the long bearing surface round nose bullets give stellar precision out of anything I shoot them from. It's just excess heat that has kept me away from this style bullet.
I hope this sheds light on some matters.
Regards,
Josh