pete4d wrote:

Bushmaster wrote: Very addictive huh Pete. Almost as expensive as a woman , and almost as much fun in my old age

Yer right there mate...on all counts.

I’m going to try and search out these PRVI PARTIZAN bullets in both the 150gr and 180gr here in Australia...if they are as good as others say, and shoot as well as the FMJ, then they will be my “go to” hunting bullet.

Vince , I loaded some of the IMR 3031 , looks like I'll be pulling some of my 150-gr IMR 4895 loads .

..............3-shot groups at 50-yds..............

All the cases trimmed 2.22 inches .

150-gr Speer 3.070 AOL, 1 1/2-inch group
150-gr Speer 3.085 AOL, .61 -inch group .22-.32-.32, between hole-centers ,

The 3.085 AOL is the longest i felt was into the neck to hold.


150-gr Hornady 3.085 AOL , 1.1-inch .43-1.12-.1.08 group between hole-centers , IMR 3031 @ 41-gr.
150-gr Hornady 3.085 AOL , .5-inch ..35-.27-.52 group between hole-centers , IMR 3031 , @ 42-gr

150-gr Speer 3.070 AOL , .5-inch group IMR 3031 @ 41-gr
.....3/4- inch between 2-holes , had a base separate on third shot , so I had a flyer try again later on this load.

174-gr Woodleigh 3.090 AOL , IMR 3031 ..Had another flyer on this round too , had a base separate ,try again

215-gr Woodleigh 3.090 AOL , IMR 3031 ..Had another flyer on this round too , had a base separate ,try again

174-gr PPU FMJ 3.040 AOL , .86- inch group , ..64-.86-.78 between hole-centers ,

Forgot I had these stuck back in the bottom of the ammo box Both of these PPU rounds are store bought.

180-gr PPU SP 2.94 AOL , .61-inch ,.17-.45-.61 between hole-centers ,

What I've seen on the IMR 3031 ,I'd never use it before, I like it on the groups , but may be a little dirtier than the IMR 4895 . About half way -15 shots - I ran a brush 2 times and an oiled patch ,had lite carbon but not bad .

When you say base separation...is that case head separation? If so, maybe it’s time to have a look at your cases mate. I’d be inspecting them, looking for a bright line around the bottom portion of the case, and also running a custom made, you beaut paperclip up the inside of the case to feel for a “stretch groove”. Using new, or near new, might just improve your groups a little mate.

Ive used the factory PPU 174gr FMJ rounds for zeroing, and in all honesty, I’ve found them to be very accurate loads. I’ve also loaded some Hornady 174gr FMJ bullets, and found them to be good as well.

I’ve tried AR2206H (which is H4895 from memory) and I was disappointed with it, so I’m revisiting my loads using AR2208 (Varget) and 8208 BM (IMR8208 XBR)...these loads will be jacketed bullets. I’m also playing with some lighter (160gr) cast loads using 16gr of PROMO (a shotgun powder equivalent to Red Dot) and 13gr of Alliant 2400. These will be really only plinking loads, although the PROMO load gets a reasonable write up for 200 yards. Only time will tell. I’m going to try and get out to the range within the fortnight to try these loads out.

When you say base separation...is that case head separation?

This is almost normal . You only have to look at them in a very bright light . there is a visible ring that appears .Use of the old finger-nail works too . Some get by you sometimes . but the 303 British is well known for it . Normally you only may get 7-8 reloads ,try and stay away from maximum loads. You also have to watch the neck spits .

As for the H-4895 . I've used it but there is a difference between it and the IMR-4895 . My loads seem to be more stable in hot and cold weather . and vel. doesn't very all that much.

there are tricks with the .303 brit..... rubber o-ring right up to rim for first fireing and partial length resize so case expands to maximum size ONCE then stays at that size from then on....if you FLR each time...the brass has a lot of stretch and shrink....so separates early...

Elvis wrote:

there are tricks with the .303 brit..... rubber o-ring right up to rim for first fireing and partial length resize so case expands to maximum size ONCE then stays at that size from then on....if you FLR each time...the brass has a lot of stretch and shrink....so separates early...

You're correct on all counts , think I may have pointed that out before in earlier threads . That's why I went to just neck sizing years ago . The Remington cases are the worst as being the thinnest . I've had them show signs of splits after just two or three firings . I mainly use PPU cases now because that what you can find , seem to be having a good case life . Probably use 5-7 different brands of brass.

As I'm not a new hand at reloading the 303-B ,as I load from 5.7x28mm up to the 30-378Wby. and 14 calibers between. I've tried a few hundred different bullet and powder combinations over the years. One of the reasons I have over 30-different powders , some with only a few dozen loads out of them.

When I first started reloading the 303-B , I was advised to get a broken shell remover. by the old-hands on other reloading sites and forums .
.. Most of the stretch is caused by the long throat , as it was first developed for black powder and battle conditions . Where mud and water comes into play .

good to hear you have a handle on it.....the ol paperclip guage will be getting lots of use.......a dentists pick it better still if you can get one.

Pete4d...best way to combat those neck splits is to anneal your cases every third firing mate. Won’t guarantee more loads from your cases, but it will ensure that the end of life for a case won’t be because of a split neck.