Replicating 303 surplus ammo with 174gr projectiles

[juststarting]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone could suggest load reference to replicate 303 surplus ammo (don't even know its velocity).

Using: Hornady 174gr 303 #3131 3105; and AR2208.
Shooting: No5Mk1

Obviously will start at the bottom and work up, but would like to know what I should be working up to, to replicate military ammo...


Thanks

[No1Mk3]

G'day juststarting,
Which version of military cartridge? If you mean Mk VII, then you should head for 2440 fps,from a 25.2" (that's 64cm for you) barrel. You will not achieve that velocity in the No5 without great care. For the No 1 or No 4 rifle using 2208 you should approach the military load about 40.0 to 41.0g, Cheers.

[No1Mk3]

PS: The bullet you are using is a boat tail, so what you will be loading will not be MK VII but Mk VIIz.

[juststarting]

Thanks, No1Mk3

[vmaxaust]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone could suggest load reference to replicate 303 surplus ammo (don't even know its velocity).

Using: Hornady 174gr 303 #3131 3105; and AR2208.
Shooting: No5Mk1

If it helps I use the same boat tail projectiles in PPU cases, I full size cases and trim to 2.210"-2.212". I seat bullets to an overall length of 2.955" + or - a few thou.
I load with 36.1- 36.2 grains AR2206H powder and Federal large rifle primers. In my MK5 No.1 Jungle Carbine this sees about 2200-2250 fps. The stock PPU ammo I bought and used to obtain cases had a 180gr bullet and was pretty close in velocity to my load. If anything it was a little more in velocity than mine but I'm getting very good accuracy shooting targets and don't need higher loads than I have made for this reason as well as increasing life of cases. I've reloaded over 500 of these PPU cases at least 6 times with full length sizing and no evidence of case separation. I will anneal the necks after one more load to prevent cracking in that area.
Keep in mind the velocity will be greater in the full length barrel Lee Enfields. I have a No.3 and a No.4 but have not checked velocity in those.
As an aside I will be casting some 174gr hard lead bullets in the next few months which I will Hi Tek coat and then reduce loads a little further to see if this is an alternative to the more expensive copper jacket bullets without leading bores. My moulds will be ready in about a month or so and are similar in design to the Hornady bullet we are both using.

Sam

[juststarting]

Thanks, Sam.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

it is a shame really that nobody makes a 174gr flat base projectile for the 303. Personally I use the 174gr sierra 41.0gr of ar2208 with great results