what's a good .303 Brit load

six-gun · October 29, 2010, 04:13 PM

got a lee enfield, .303 british. i've read that H335 is a good powder. i have some 150 grain Sierra SPTs. this is what i'm going to try for now. unfortunately, my lyman's book doesn't list 335 for .303. i've seen online 45 grains is good for that. but i've also read that a heavier bullet works better in this caliber. so, first, anybody know how much 335 for that bullet and 2nd, anybody got a preference on a better load? i should say that the sierra was intended for targets and was planning on whatever Barne's .311 150 gr TSX for hunting. i like what i've read about the TSX bullets. so let's hear what your opinions are.

Thak you,

TX Nimrod · October 30, 2010, 12:04 PM

First, never use "on-line" load data unless it is from a reliable source. An example: Hodgdon (makers of H335) recommends a maximum load of 42.0 grains of H335 behind the 150 grain bullet, not the 45 grains from your "on-line" source. Go here for their reliable data:http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

While you can use them, there is no need for a fancy TSX bullet in the .303. It's velocity window works great for standard cup-and-core bullets. Due to the great variation in the bore dimensions in Lee Enfields, you will have to be lucky to get good accuracy from the hard copper Barnes bullets since they need to match the bore diameter closely to give good accuracy. You will have just as good or better overall performance from a Speer or Hornady bullet in this weight range.

I only shoot 174-grain cast or 180-grain Speer RN bullets in my Lithgow SMLE MkIII* rifle. Light cast loads will group in 2 moa, full-power 180s about 3 moa with issue sights. The latter works very well on deer in brush and timber.

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October 29, 2010, 04:13 PM	#1
six-gun Member Join Date: September 20, 2010 Posts: 57	what's a good .303 Brit load got a lee enfield, .303 british. i've read that H335 is a good powder. i have some 150 grain Sierra SPTs. this is what i'm going to try for now. unfortunately, my lyman's book doesn't list 335 for .303. i've seen online 45 grains is good for that. but i've also read that a heavier bullet works better in this caliber. so, first, anybody know how much 335 for that bullet and 2nd, anybody got a preference on a better load? i should say that the sierra was intended for targets and was planning on whatever Barne's .311 150 gr TSX for hunting. i like what i've read about the TSX bullets. so let's hear what your opinions are. Thak you,

October 30, 2010, 12:04 PM	#2
TX Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2009 Location: Zona Posts: 432	First, never use "on-line" load data unless it is from a reliable source. An example: Hodgdon (makers of H335) recommends a maximum load of 42.0 grains of H335 behind the 150 grain bullet, not the 45 grains from your "on-line" source. Go here for their reliable data:http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp While you can use them, there is no need for a fancy TSX bullet in the .303. It's velocity window works great for standard cup-and-core bullets. Due to the great variation in the bore dimensions in Lee Enfields, you will have to be lucky to get good accuracy from the hard copper Barnes bullets since they need to match the bore diameter closely to give good accuracy. You will have just as good or better overall performance from a Speer or Hornady bullet in this weight range. I only shoot 174-grain cast or 180-grain Speer RN bullets in my Lithgow SMLE MkIII* rifle. Light cast loads will group in 2 moa, full-power 180s about 3 moa with issue sights. The latter works very well on deer in brush and timber. .