KHornet
Well-Known Member
The 303 Brit is probably one of the most ugly rifles ever made for the military, and mine is uglier than most, and it is cobbled together from parts from various rifles from various years of mfg. The wood is brown, almost black brown, and probably has the capacity to have oil wrung out of it. I got it from a guy at a gun show, a couple of years ago for (if I remember right) about 125.)) or so. The bbl was dark, very dark and still is, but no pits. I spent a lot of time with solvents, brushes, and patches but no brightening, but the lands aren't bad.
I bought it strictly to play with cast. Considering that the Brit standard for the 303 in the hands of the average foot soldier was 4 MOA, with my cast loads, it will do that and a bit more. Have never slugged it, but it tolerates .314's, and likes .315s just fine. Shot today with 170 ranch dogs, .315 over 16 gr of 2400. Shot two 5 shot groups, one with fill the other without fill. At 50 yds, and on the same target, I had two distinct groups, one about 2" higher than the other. The top one (with fill) went into about an inch and a half, the bottom one (no fill) shot a vert string of 4 into right at an inch, but then I popped the last one out to about 2". The Total grouping of the two groups together was right at 3". Issue sights are nothing to write home about, but with my eyes, am quite satisfied with the rifle. That is particularly true when I see 303's at Caballes (sp) with price tags above the 300.00 mark. Would like another one, with a nicer appearance, but not willing to pay the price they want. Anyhow, am pleased with the way the old girl shoots. She is far older than me, and I am about older than dirt.
I bought it strictly to play with cast. Considering that the Brit standard for the 303 in the hands of the average foot soldier was 4 MOA, with my cast loads, it will do that and a bit more. Have never slugged it, but it tolerates .314's, and likes .315s just fine. Shot today with 170 ranch dogs, .315 over 16 gr of 2400. Shot two 5 shot groups, one with fill the other without fill. At 50 yds, and on the same target, I had two distinct groups, one about 2" higher than the other. The top one (with fill) went into about an inch and a half, the bottom one (no fill) shot a vert string of 4 into right at an inch, but then I popped the last one out to about 2". The Total grouping of the two groups together was right at 3". Issue sights are nothing to write home about, but with my eyes, am quite satisfied with the rifle. That is particularly true when I see 303's at Caballes (sp) with price tags above the 300.00 mark. Would like another one, with a nicer appearance, but not willing to pay the price they want. Anyhow, am pleased with the way the old girl shoots. She is far older than me, and I am about older than dirt.
