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303 British?
fastcarsgofast
Member Posts: 7,179
I was considering getting an SMLE, but being unfamiliar with the 303 British round wanted to know how it stacked up against military rifle rounds.
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Everybody needs one.
The British, Italians and Japanese all used the 303 British as their main armorment in aircraft MG's
I was considering getting an SMLE, but being unfamiliar with the 303 British round wanted to know how it stacked up against military rifle rounds.
Its not a slouch round. While its a LITTLE less powerful than most of the usual older service rounds (EG .308, .30-06, 7.62x54R, etc), its still pretty powerful.
Anything you might do with a .308, you could do with this round.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, surplus ammo is scarce to non-existent.
Fortunately, given the historical popularity of the load, and quantity of guns made, commercial loads and reloadable brass are still being manufactured and are readily available.
If you do want to reload, just realize that despite the ".303" name, the .303 bullets are actually a little fatter than the more usual .30 caliber rounds like the .308. I think it takes .312 bullets, which you would want to use for best accuracy.
You can usually pick up a good No4 MkI for $250.00, main difference between the MkI and MkII is the receiver mounted trigger.
The 303 is a fine round, keep in mind most of the older surplus is corrosive and the bullet diameter (for reloading) is not .308 but rather .310 - .312 diameter. I'd suggest reloading, keep an eye on your brass as the rear mounted lugs supposedly allow the brass to stretch a bit and reduce brass life. A 150 grain bullet about 2,500 fps would be a typical loading.
A company named CadTechnik makes a neat little no drill scope mount for the No4 & No5, it's solid and doesn't rely on friction or require removal of your rear sight. Looks good too.
USA
24 Posts
Posted - 10/29/2009 : 10:00:27 AM Show Profile Email Poster Reply with Quote
The 303 round has taken more big game in the world including Elephant and Tiger than any other round around.
You forgot about the part that it has also wounded more.
The .303 is a good all around cartridge. What it does lack how ever are a good selection of hunting bullets. I've always had one lying around in one version or another. As far as power it fits in with pretty much every one elses military round at the time. If I were you I would go ahead and buy one, there a blast especially in the #5 Jungle Carbine.
prvi ammo is good and the price is right. I actually think it shoots better than most of the milsurp out there. it's soft point which i like better for hunting.
the No4 Mk1* is what i have. made in longbranch 1945. it's one of my most accurate long guns. right up there with the match garand at distance. be careful about the headspace though, the head bolts are getting very hard to come by, especially the #2.
you can still find No4's in good shape for under $200, a bargain by my thinking.