.303 gas checks

[darkroomdan]

I have an SMLE that I'd like to reload for with cast bullets. I bought a Lee 175 grain gas check bullet mould that works great. My problem is where do I find gas checks in that caliber -  Hornady and others list jumps from .308 to .323 with no listing for .311. Will .308 gas checks work? Or does anyone know where to get .311 diameter checks? Also, anyone have any load info for cast bullets in the .303?
Thanks,
DRD

[iiranger]

#1). Yes, use .308 gas checks. In theory, if you seat them right, they upset, copper is very soft, to the diameter of the bullet as they go thru the sizing die. If you are not sizing, then the throat gets to do the forming.

#2). Lyman is the big dog in cast bullets. They have lots of books. You should slug your bore and size to groove diameter or .001 over. Hardness of alloy will govern speed. Real heavy bullets will get you all you can out of a SMLE... On line, Hodgdon and others take email questions about use of their powders for this sort of thing. May have some data posted. Assuming your bore is not NRA "moonscape" (ROUGH), this should bring you much satisfaction. Case you didn't know, 303british.com has some data and other lore too. enjoy. luck. happy trails.

[curator]

Check out Steve Regwell's web site: www.303british.com. He has some good information on cast bullet loads in the .303. Personally, I prefer Lyman's #314299 bullet cast of wheel weight alloy and water drop quenched froom the mould. I load these out to touch the rifling with neck-sized fire-formed brass over 16 grains of Alliant 2400. If your barrel is reasonably smooth and has no copper fouling, you will be amazed at how well this load will shot in almost any .303 rifle