.303 British load?

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject: .303 British load?

Has anyone seen any loads for the .303 British using 200 grain bullets? If I can't find any I'm going to try the loads for the 215 grainers.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Mike,
what powder and what projectile (weight, length, jacket)?
What is the wanted OAL?
How long is barrel and what barrel diameter.

I'll get you the numerical results, estimated MV and pressure data

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Gelan, I'm just looking for any loads for 200 grain bullets in the .303. I have a couple of SMLEs and just got a box of Speer 200 grain Grand Slam bullets. Apparently these were a special order because Speer doesn't have any load info for them, I've already contacted them. I'm just looking for plinking loads.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Found a few here >> www.303british.com/id13.html

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Mike,
I have a software that could estimate a strange load for you, when you use your existing powder and projectiles.

If you already got the powders as listed then well all is good, how ever if you do not have them,
It is much cheaper to estimate a safe load using existing powder stocks.

Anyhow the offer stands if you needed it.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

example of what I meant

Cartridge : .303 British (SAAMI)
Bullet : Dreamed up Pumkin Seed 0.314 jacketted 1.205 200 grain
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.075 inch or 78.11 mm
Barrel Length : 16.0 inch or 406.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 42875 psi, or 295 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 100 %

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

1 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 50%. These powders have been skipped.

Powder type Filling Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Pr.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2208 89.2 39.3 2.55 2068 94.4 42875 11805 1.106 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2206H 82.5 37.5 2.43 2024 95.9 42875 10863 1.112 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 296 56.3 27.5 1.78 1981 100.0 42875 9003 1.146 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2205 65.6 28.3 1.84 1895 100.0 42875 7744 1.128 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 100 60.8 19.1 1.24 1700 100.0 42875 5499 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AS 50N 55.3 14.6 0.95 1531 100.0 42875 4260 1.234 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT 61.6 13.9 0.90 1521 100.0 42875 4227 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AS 30 61.3 14.4 0.93 1506 100.0 42875 4110 1.217 ! Near Maximum !

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:30 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Very interesting! The bullet I have is jacketed (Speer Grand Slam), 0.312" diameter, 1.280" long and weighs 200 grains. Powders I have on hand include RL-15, Varget and BL-C(2). OAL of 3.075" and I'd like to keep pressures around 45,000 PSI (49,000 is MAX). Barrel length is 25".

gelandangan · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Here tis

Elvis · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:29 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

ADI manual 3rd edition.
303 british 24" barrel AR 2206 40 grn for 180grn projectile
AR2206 39 grn for 215grn projectile
AR2208 39.5grn for 180grn pill
39.5 for 215grn pill
AR2209 47 grn compressed for 180grn pill
45 grn compressed for 215grn pill

that should get you started I will check my other manuals for any more loads.

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

I like your first example Gelandangan, 16" Barrel, I wonder what that would be for?

gelandangan · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:23 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

well.. Aahhh
I just pick up a number..

44marty · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:20 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

The Nosler, Sierra, Lyman and Hornady manuals don't list that heavy a bullet. The Hornady manual DOES mention that the .303 British was originally loaded with a 215 gr roundnose bullet and 70 gr of blackpowder. That could be fun (but messy).
Also mentioned in this manual is that case life tends to be short with this cartridge when full-length sized. They recommend neck sizing to "significantly extend case life". Their test rifle was a short magazine Lee Enfield.

44marty · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:20 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

The Nosler, Sierra, Lyman and Hornady manuals don't list that heavy a bullet. The Hornady manual DOES mention that the .303 British was originally loaded with a 215 gr roundnose bullet and 70 gr of blackpowder. That could be fun (but messy).
Also mentioned in this manual is that case life tends to be short with this cartridge when full-length sized. They recommend neck sizing to "significantly extend case life". Their test rifle was a short magazine Lee Enfield.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:08 am Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

Thanks guys! 180 grain and 215 grain loads are pretty easy to find but exact loads for the 200 seem pretty scarce. As I said earlier, I got them cheap and intended to use them for some plinking, although obviously they'd work well for hunting too.

The original bullet for the .303 was the 215 grain round nose and, from what I've read, it is an excellent game killer.

Elvis · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: .303 British load?

if you have another look at the ADI loads AR2208 uses the same powder charge for both weights so 200grn fits in the middle so the same charge weight should be tickady boo.the heavy loads have a great reputation for game stopping those 215s were the load that was used for those woppers that are in our history books.