p-14 reloads

[351 power]

will i get alot better brass life from the p-14 as opposed to the #4 mk1?

[Langfur Buchsen]

Service rifle barrels in British rifles (including both the Rifle No3 (aka P14) and the rifle No4) will have large chambers (made that way to facilitate "battle" use and to accommodate ammunitions from various manufacturers).

In my experience (and I have had experience with both types of rifle) cases will expand considerably from the minimums on the first firing, and consequently case life is more a function of the degree of resizing applied to the brass than any of the other factors.

Each time the case is “fully” full-length sized in a commercial minimum resizing die, the brass flows forward toward the neck, leaving a thinning section usually just in front of the solid head web. This is where separation occurs often on the third or fourth firing if the degree of resizing is great.

This can be avoided by resizing only enough to securely hold the projectile (foe example so that only half to two-thirds of the neck is resized). It can also be avoided if cases are neck-sized only in a neck sizing die.

Some will say that the rear-lockers allow cases to stretch and this is the cause of case separations – not so in my experience of Lee-Enfields with reasonable loads

[351 power]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

[Langfur Buchsen]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

please read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_military_rifles if you have the time...

"Pattern 1914 – also known as Rifle, Number 3
 
Pattern 14 rifle (derivative)Main article: Pattern 14 Rifle
With the outbreak of the First World War, the change to the ammunition for the Pattern 1913 was abandoned; however, to supplement SMLE production the new design was to be produced chambered for .303. In 1914, the Pattern 1914 rifle (Pattern 13 chambered for .303) was approved for production by British companies, but production was superseded by other war priorities, and three US firms Winchester, Eddystone, and Remington began production in 1916.

TThe Pattern 14 rifle did not gain widespread acceptance with the British since it was larger and heavier, held fewer rounds and was slower to cycle than the SMLE. The P14 was well-regarded as a sniper rifle (with telescopic and fine adjustment iron sights) but largely disregarded outside of emergency use"

Your cases will simply last longer in both if you do not full-length size

And it's easy to confuse Rifle No 3 with the SMLE Mark III (Rifle No1 Mk III) which I think you may be doing

[351 power]

i see now, thanks. never saw this rifle number 3 before. i was just thinking that the front locking p14 would be more brass friendly

[Langfur Buchsen]

i see now, thanks. never saw this rifle number 3 before. i was just thinking that the front locking p14 would be more brass friendly

not necessarily - IMHO it's the chambers that aren't brass friendly, not so much the actions

as I wrote, keep your resizing as minimal as possible and your cases will last longer

[gstewart44]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

I have both a P-14 and a No4 MkI and reload for both.    Both chambers are large but the No4MkI is quite a bit larger than the P14.  I keep my brass separate (nickle plate for the P-14)  and neck size only.   Haven't had any separations yet.    the No4 reloads will not allow the bolt to close  if loaded in the P14. 

[351 power]

i have that same combination gstewart44. think i'll do some measuring of factory loads from each

[Austin1]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

I have both a P-14 and a No4 MkI and reload for both.    Both chambers are large but the No4MkI is quite a bit larger than the P14.  I keep my brass separate (nickle plate for the P-14)  and neck size only.   Haven't had any separations yet.    the No4 reloads will not allow the bolt to close  if loaded in the P14.  

Where did you find nickle .303 Brass? I would like to get some for the same reason, too make sure my p14 loads never end up in my Longbranch. My p14 has a tight chamber, I had my number 4 barrel set back and rechambered so it is now as nice as my enfield + long brass life in  my gun. My .303s love IMR 4320 and the 180gr Sierra bullet I use 44gr for a top load in the Number 4 and wont say how much I put in the enfield lol Lets just say it is faster than any 06 factory ammo I ever tested and yes it's a 22'' barrel.

[gstewart44]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

I have both a P-14 and a No4 MkI and reload for both.    Both chambers are large but the No4MkI is quite a bit larger than the P14.  I keep my brass separate (nickle plate for the P-14)  and neck size only.   Haven't had any separations yet.    the No4 reloads will not allow the bolt to close  if loaded in the P14. 

Where did you find nickle .303 Brass? I would like to get some for the same reason, too make sure my p14 loads never end up in my Longbranch. My p14 has a tight chamber I had my number 4 barrel set back and rechambered so it is now a nice tight long brass life gun. My .303s love IMR 4320 and the 180gr Sierra bullet I use 44gr for a top load in the Number 4 and wont say how much I put in the enfield lol Lets just say it is faster than any 06 factory ammo I ever tested and yes it's a 22'' barrel.

I ordered several hundred Remington brand 303 cases from MidSouthShootersSupply about 8-9 years ago.    Half were plain brass and half were nickel plated.   Don't remember what I paid for them but at the time I did not think they were expensive. 

[Austin1]

the p-14 is in no way a #3. it's basically a mauser action built by winchester under british contract, mine in 1918. i was wondering if anyone had reloaded for both

I have both a P-14 and a No4 MkI and reload for both.    Both chambers are large but the No4MkI is quite a bit larger than the P14.  I keep my brass separate (nickle plate for the P-14)  and neck size only.   Haven't had any separations yet.    the No4 reloads will not allow the bolt to close  if loaded in the P14. 

Where did you find nickle .303 Brass? I would like to get some for the same reason, too make sure my p14 loads never end up in my Longbranch. My p14 has a tight chamber I had my number 4 barrel set back and rechambered so it is now a nice tight long brass life gun. My .303s love IMR 4320 and the 180gr Sierra bullet I use 44gr for a top load in the Number 4 and wont say how much I put in the enfield lol Lets just say it is faster than any 06 factory ammo I ever tested and yes it's a 22'' barrel.

I ordered several hundred Remington brand 303 cases from MidSouthShootersSupply about 8-9 years ago.    Half were plain brass and half were nickel plated.   Don't remember what I paid for them but at the time I did not think they were expensive. 

Thanks, I will have to see what Rem has.I have to find a supply in Canada though as nobody want's to ship anything up here anymore.