A SMLE Rifle
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:12 am
I haven't reloaded .303 British ammo in over 50 years. I got rather disgusted with the cartridge and Lee-Enfield rifles when a B.S.A. rebuilt Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle, with a generous chamber, destroyed all my .303 brass.
Back in those days, I reloaded with a simple (.303 British) Lee-Loader, which worked fine. (I sold that rifle. It set me back years in reloading).
In more recent years, I've been looking for a cheap set of 'used' .303 Dies, to resize some boxes of factory ammo that have been fired in various rifles.
I finally broke down and bought a new set of the 'budget' Lee Dies (no scoop, shell holder or reload-data) on ebay and purchased some Prvi bullets and brass for .303 British from Graf & Sons'.
The Dies came a few days ago, so for practice, I loaded up assorted fired brass with some 150 grain Speer .311" bullets, I have had since my youth.
I loaded the cases with 40 grains of W-W 748, which is not an optimal powder for .303, but, I have a lot of it. I was mainly curious to see how the powder would do and how the brass holds up.
The rifle I took to the range is an Australian (Lithgow) S.M.L.E. that was built in 1940 and reconditioned in 1946. I bought it in 1968, but, probably have only put 20 to 30 rounds through it. The bore is 'OK', but not pristine.
My ammo performed decent at 50 yards, grouping about 2 inches below point of aim. Recoil was pleasant, on par with a Krag.
Next outing, I will try a more optimal loading, using IMR-3031 powder, with Prvi brass and 180 grain .313" projectiles.
With the peculiar "National Ammo Shortage", it is fun to be making and shooting cartridges somewhat insulated from the hoarding and popular demand.
Back in those days, I reloaded with a simple (.303 British) Lee-Loader, which worked fine. (I sold that rifle. It set me back years in reloading).
In more recent years, I've been looking for a cheap set of 'used' .303 Dies, to resize some boxes of factory ammo that have been fired in various rifles.
I finally broke down and bought a new set of the 'budget' Lee Dies (no scoop, shell holder or reload-data) on ebay and purchased some Prvi bullets and brass for .303 British from Graf & Sons'.
The Dies came a few days ago, so for practice, I loaded up assorted fired brass with some 150 grain Speer .311" bullets, I have had since my youth.
I loaded the cases with 40 grains of W-W 748, which is not an optimal powder for .303, but, I have a lot of it. I was mainly curious to see how the powder would do and how the brass holds up.
The rifle I took to the range is an Australian (Lithgow) S.M.L.E. that was built in 1940 and reconditioned in 1946. I bought it in 1968, but, probably have only put 20 to 30 rounds through it. The bore is 'OK', but not pristine.
My ammo performed decent at 50 yards, grouping about 2 inches below point of aim. Recoil was pleasant, on par with a Krag.
Next outing, I will try a more optimal loading, using IMR-3031 powder, with Prvi brass and 180 grain .313" projectiles.
With the peculiar "National Ammo Shortage", it is fun to be making and shooting cartridges somewhat insulated from the hoarding and popular demand.