303 British & k31 swiss

[MW65]

Had a day off today, so figured a trip to the range was necessary!

Used a 150gr sks round for the 303... size at .314... gallery loads weren't the greatest, but 16.0gr of 2400 made a nice bughole!! K31 used 2400 and the 180gr noe k31 boolit at .309, but a little higher charge... still hitting the 100yd pigs and having a blast with them... here's some 25yd test groups to share.

 

[Bret4207]

Those SMLE's won't shoot cast! Heard it a thousand times. Uh, wrong!!! Nice outing I'd say.

 

[MW65]

Those SMLE's won't shoot cast! Heard it a thousand times. Uh, wrong!!! Nice outing I'd say.

Pretty happy with the no4... peep is pretty easy-to-use. It's an earlier import, and I popped on a longer stock vs the bantam. Still a 2 groove, but feel fortunate that she shoots!!

 

[Tomme boy]

They won't shoot because the people were shooting a 0.310" lead bullet in a barrel that needs 0.313" or bigger. One I had needed a 0.314" and the other needed a 0.317" to match the barrel.

 

[Bret4207]

Pretty happy with the no4... peep is pretty easy-to-use. It's an earlier import, and I popped on a longer stock vs the bantam. Still a 2 groove, but feel fortunate that she shoots!!

Nothing wrong with 2 groove if you read the older Rifleman articles. They tend to like bore riders IIRC.

 

[Bret4207]

They won't shoot because the people were shooting a 0.310" lead bullet in a barrel that needs 0.313" or bigger. One I had needed a 0.314" and the other needed a 0.317" to match the barrel.

Fit, it's all about fit!!!

 

[CZ93X62]

I have a Lee custom mould for my 1918 BSA SMLE. I casts a .317" 200 grain bullet that I size to .316" and it will shoot into 2" at 100 yards. 16.0 grains of 2400 does the lifting. I actually won a few Burrito Matches with that powder weight in 303 British and 8 x 57JS in a G98/40.

 

[todd]

i was really young and i was told that a 303 British (SMLE) are prone to a case-head separation or it will blow up. years later, i'm still waiting for 303 to blow up or something!!! i only know of three SMLE's and they shoot just fine, altho they ain't much good in a beauty contest. i want one!!!!

i use a sporterized '91 Mauser in 7.65x53 Argentine (my oldest son uses that too) with Lee 312-185-R GC RN sized to .313" and Reloder 7, 2400 and Unique. my youngest son has a sporterized '91 Argie with 180gr SAECO FN GC sized to .314" with Reloder 7.

i use a Lyman (or Redfield?) aperture sight, while my two sons' are open sights. it will go 1 1/2 -2 1/2" groups at 100 yards with the three rifles.

 

[Bret4207]

91's are nice rifles, carry like a Pa. style flintlock IMO. And there are no flies on the 7.65x53!!!

 

[462]

91's are nice rifles, carry like a Pa. style flintlock IMO. And there are no flies on the 7.65x53!!!

One of mine had the barrel cut back to either 22" or 24" -- not important enough for me to remember -- and it was right handy.

What with all the time and money we spent developing the 7.62 X 51 seems to me it would have been much simpler for to adopt the 7.65 X 53. But, then, it's not as if the United States military has ever been into time and money savings.

 

[todd]

i gave to my youngest son an Engineer or Calvary '91 Argie. it is Loewe's made in '92 or '93.

 

[MW65]

Had issues with the flat nose of the ranch dog tl313-150 not feeding right from the magazine... especially the last round. Thinking about 314-299 noe as a substitute for match use. Also need to clean/replace extractor spring to help with ejection on the no4. Wouldn't always ejection cleanly from the action...