Author Topic: 303/375 (Read 1865 times)

gazz · « **on:** November 19, 2005, 01:23:32 PM »

Hi,
I've just had the bore on my 303 Martini Enfield opend up to .375 (to give a worn out barrel new life and to shoot cast slugs with black and smokeless powder)
Has anyone tried this before?
It sure is a fun round to shoot.
Cheers,
gazz.

stuffit · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2005, 02:19:34 PM »

gazz,
I have an original Jungle Carbine in the same shape (barrel worn out and corroded) I looked into the procedure you've had done about a year ago but the cost seemed prohibitive. If I could find someone to do it at a reasonable charge short of morgaging the house, I'd still do it. What loads are you using and what bullets?
:-)
stuffit

gazz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2005, 03:55:40 PM »

Stuffit,
It cost $400 (Oz.) It worked out cheaper than a new barrel because it just had to be screwed back in. Also I didn't want to destroy the character of the old Martini.
I have only had one range session with it. I shot 245 grain cast moly coated pills (designed for 38-55) over 23 grains of ar2206h. My reloading book shows this load as about middle of the range for a 38-55, and as the .303 case is not much bigger I thought it would be a load to start with.
It was mild and accurate to shoot. Next week I am going to try some slightly heavier loads, but all I am looking for is a mild target fun load.
I haven't tried black powder yet, but I think it should work well. I'm going to load 2f cartridge powder.
If the cost of reboring your carbine is too high, and you still want a versatile calibre, How about getting it rebarreled to 38-55?
Cheers,
gazz

stuffit · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2005, 02:29:58 AM »

Interesting project and good thoughts. Thanks for the suggestion. I like the .38 55 caliber but havn't owned one. We have a new gunsmith localy doing barrel work. Can't hurt to ask him.
s.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2005, 08:56:27 AM »

stuffit - why don't you just have your carbine rebarrelled to 375 Winchester. You can have those SMLEs rebarrelled all the way up to 45-90, so they will handle the cartridge length and since the 375 Winchester is (a lever cartridge) within the same pressure tolerances those SMLE actions were made for, it may be an easier and less costly conversion. Just a thought. Mikey.

stuffit · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2005, 05:16:07 AM »

I've got the replacement barrel ordered from Numrich now. It wasn't expensive though it remains to be seen what the charge will be for swaping them out.
:-)
stuffit

gazz · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2005, 12:23:56 PM »

An advantage with the box magazine is that you are not limlited to flat nosed pills.
Have you thought about keeping it in it's Jungle carbine configuration with the flash eliminator in place? I think it would look a lot cooler that way than as a sort of "sporter".
Keep us posted on how it goes.
Cheers ,
gazz.

The Cast Bullet Kid · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2005, 10:10:18 PM »

Hi
I have a MLE in .38/303 and I shoot exclusively BP in it with a Jim Allison CBE .375 275gr cast bullet. Shoots REALLY well with 50gr of 3fg and a blow tube between shots.

Con · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2005, 05:06:35 PM »

gazz,
What did you do for dies? I assume Sprinter did your rebore? I've spoken to Keith about a 303-35 (rebarrel a No4), but the issue of dies is what's stopping me.
Cheers...
Con

gazz · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2005, 06:28:15 PM »

TCBK,
Blackpowder is my next project. Do you use a compression die? Do you use an overpowder card (wad)?
Con,
Yes, Keith did the job, and a good job too.
As for dies I got a set of .375 Win. dies and opened the sizing die up to accept the .303 case and left the neck as it is. The bullet seating die works fine as it is. Too easy!
If you want to go with a 35, get a set for a cartridge with a .35 pill and a body no wider than a .303 and open it up to accept a .303 case. A 35 Whelan would be too big, and so would a .358 Win.
Anothe way would be to open up the neck on a .303 die but it is a bit harder to do and you would have to get a bullet seating die.
Hope this is of help. Yell out if you want any more info.
gazz

Con · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2005, 10:24:01 PM »

Gazz,
I can open necks of 303 with my Lee 358Win dies, that's no problem. I can seat (but not crimp) 250gr Woodleighs with the 358Win seating die as well. I'm not sure whether I'll ask Keith whether he can make the FL resizing die using his chambering reamers or maybe modify a vice-type die from 303British? There's also a NZ mob building 303-35s, may ring to find where their customers source dies from. Does your modified die allow full-length resizing, or do just the necks? For neck-sizing I think Lee will make you a Collet die for US$25. Its the full-length resizing I'm more worried about.
Also located a sporterised P14 I'm negotiating on. If that action doesnt allow the 303-35 to get hopping nothing will. Fall back plan is now the No4. Do I go with the full potential velocity the cartridge can give with a P14, or take that lovely 10shot magazine from the No4 ... love those choices!!
Out of interest, what was Sprinters turn-around time for your job.
Cheers...
Con

gazz · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2005, 07:02:20 PM »

Con,
I have the die set up to neck size only. with light to moderate loads that is all that is needed. I could have had it opened up more exactly to full length size, but, for me, it wasn't worth the effort.
If you want a bit more power you could get Keith to give it an improved chamber.
P14 every time....I.M.H.O.!
The job took about 10 weeks because he is pretty busy.
cheers,
gazz.

Con · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2005, 10:34:35 PM »

Thanks Gazz,
Might call Sprinter this week and ask about what can be done to get a FL die. Custom dies will cost more than the rifle and I'll definately need a FL die if I go ahead on the P14 and push it for all its worth. Mind you a 375/303 with a 250Sierra and 220gr Taipan would be fun in the P14 too!
Cheers...
Con

gazz · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2005, 10:53:19 PM »

Con,
If power is what you want, why not get a M17( perhaps one of those Israli ones that they converted to 7.62), and barrel it for .35 Whelan.It would be a lot cheaper, easier and better. Just a thought.
Cheers,
gazz.

Con · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2005, 08:57:54 AM »

Gazz,
Strange you mention an M17. If all goes well, today the local gunstore should receive the sporterised P14 in 303/25 and in the same carton will be a sporterised Remington M17 currently in 30/06

. Not sure but the M17 will eventually either become a long-throated 35Whelen (so a 310gr Woodleigh can be seated flush with the neck) or a long throated 9.3x62 for use with a 320gr Woodleigh. I already have a 358Win and 350RM in the safe but I sure like the 35s! Only problem with the 35s is finding a barrel with a faster than 1:16" twist that's locally made. Might end up having to go a Lothar for a .35, whereas MAB for a 9.3 barrel.
Cheers...
Con

cazador viejo · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2005, 07:03:17 PM »

Quote from: gazz

Hi,
I've just had the bore on my 303 Martini Enfield opend up to .375 (to give a worn out barrel new life and to shoot cast slugs with black and smokeless powder)
Has anyone tried this before?
It sure is a fun round to shoot.
Cheers,
gazz.

It looks like you just made yourself a 38-50 Remington Hepburn.

rvtrav · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2006, 03:51:36 PM »

This discussion has peaked my interest.

One of the posts mentions rebarreling a SMLE action to .375 win. Has anyone done this before? does it feed well from the existing mgazine?

Like every other gun pack rat, I have a sewer pipe bored lee enfield, and a rebarrel to .38/55 or .375win captures my interest, but I am curious as to how well these cartridges feed and work in the action.

Right now Numrich has new octagon .38/55 barrels listed in their catalog. One of those conversions would make an exellent cast shooter!

Thanks for any info, Rvtrav

gazz · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:39:58 PM »

Hi guys,
Sorry for the late reply... just got back.
cazador viejo. 38-50 rem Hepburn, huh? That sounds interesting. Would you care to expound?
rvtrav. The 38-55 is 30 thou. smaller in diameter at the head than the 303. Perhaps you could try to load a few rounds in your Lee enfield magazine and see if it is possible to modify the retaining lips to hold them in place. The extractor would probably need to be modified too (but not a major job). Sounds like a challenge for you!
Cheers,
gazz.

cazador viejo · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2006, 07:22:25 PM »

Quote from: gazz

Hi guys,
Sorry for the late reply... just got back.
cazador viejo. 38-50 rem Hepburn, huh? That sounds interesting. Would you care to expound?
rvtrav. The 38-55 is 30 thou. smaller in diameter at the head than the 303. Perhaps you could try to load a few rounds in your Lee enfield magazine and see if it is possible to modify the retaining lips to hold them in place. The extractor would probably need to be modified too (but not a major job). Sounds like a challenge for you!
Cheers,
gazz.

Gazz
The 38-50 Rem Hepburn is a late 19th century target round. I have one I use in BPCR Silhouette competition. It can be made from 303 British or 30-40 Krag. I make mine from 30-40 Krag as the 30-40 case head has a bevel which makes it easier to seat the case in my Hepburn. I first run the brass thru my 38-50 FL die and then load 13 grains of Bullseye, insert a cardboard was and fill the case with cornmeal, insert a wax plug and fire it. This usually results in a perfectly formed case. The 38-50 is larger than the 38-55 and holds more powder. Several BPCR shooters are starting to use it with fast twist barrels. My rifle had a 15 twist Badger barrel but I sent it in to have a 12 twist Lilja barrel installed so I can stabilize longer bullets in it. Dies are available from RCBS. I think that Buffalo Arms carries the dies and also already formed brass. I only shoot black powder and lead bullets in mine. I am getting around 1300 FPS with 350 grain cast lead bullets. It will reliably take down the rams at 500 meters.

gazz · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2006, 06:14:14 PM »

cazador viejo,
Thanks for the info. I take it that it's got the same daimeter head as the .303 British? It's good to see the oldtimers comming back. These days, my scope sighted varmint rifle seems to spend most of it's time in the safe.
Thanks,
gazz.