Favourite .303 bullet for hunting?

[kombi1976]

I realise this cartridge isn't particularly popular in the USA for hunting but it's old faithful in Australia & Canada.
For those of you who do use it which is you favourite hunting bullet weight.

[Norseman112]

I always used to use 150 gr for deer hunting when I was a kid and it worked well.

John

[kombi1976]

I've always been interested by the fact that he military load was a good 20gn heavier than the bullet used by the Americans and Germans and yet the 303 is a less muscular round.
Perhaps it was to even out its flexibility so it could be used as an infantry bolt action & machine gun round as well as an air support round.
In a recent doco I found out the Avro Lancaster's machine guns with Brownings in 303 cal so perhaps this was the reason for the 174gn bullet.
That said with a 150gn bullet it sits pretty comfortably alongside the 308.

[Cappy]

I grew up in the pacific rainforests of Vancouver Island hunting blacktails in tight cover. We used to see more bears than deer so always used the 180gr bullets.

[EVOC ONE]

Kombe.  I agree the .303 isn't that popular here in the states as it once was.  That's unfortunate.  Its a great cartridge, but there are a few of us who still appreciate it.

Until I bought a Rem 700 BDL .30-06 in 1976 the only big game cartridge I had any exposure to was the SMLE.  My father bought a No 1 in the early '60's for $7.50 US and had Williams sights installed.  To this day, that rifle is still his only big game rifle.  

In the late 1960's my uncle passed away and my dad bought his guns from my aunt. Included was a No.4 that had been sporterized.  Fortunately, only the wood was compromised and the sights are still on it.  I was shooting it as a teenager and wanted to use it for my hunting rifle.  My father talked me into buying a modern rifle, so along came the Mod 700.

He taught me how to reload with the .303 cartridge and I long ago aquired his components.  He was a firm believer in the 180 gr bullet (in both the .303 and '06) and we only used Sierra 180 gr soft points.  I don't reload for it as much as I used to, but I still buy 180's.

Since that time I have aquired a few SMLE's in various styles.  Some sporterized and some not.  They are great shooters and don't give up any ground to any other cartridge for Eastern US hunting.

Put my vote in for the 180.

Thanks,

EVOC ONE

[kombi1976]

I think that all over the States in little pockets people have enjoyed hunting using the .303 Brit.
The prevalence of the 30-06 and 308 have pushed it down however as it's viewed as obsolete in many people's eyes.
This is all despite the fact that it handles heavy bullets as well as the 30-06 does and considerably better than the 308.
You'd also know that good SMLE action feeds and extracts as slick as snot on a door knob.
It's a pity that more Win 95s in .303 aren't still on the scene, although they tend to be a little mean on the shoulder, especially with 180 and 215gn pills. :x
I'd like one in my own gun locker although it's unlikely to happen.
Anyhow, good hunting.

[corbanzo]

My dad used to carry an old 303 british out to his property (which is mine now) and used 180grns for bear protection, and since it was his only gun, he used to shoot grouse's heads off with it for food!!  Imaging hunting a game bird with a .303...  sounds interesting.

[kombi1976]

My dad used to carry an old 303 british out to his property (which is mine now) and used 180grns for bear protection, and since it was his only gun, he used to shoot grouse's heads off with it for food!!  Imaging hunting a game bird with a .303...  sounds interesting.

So is the gun yours or the property?
Or both!? :wink:
Game birds......my goodness!! :shock:
I've heard of people varminting with 125gn pills but a 180gn to shoot off a birds head.......

[EVOC ONE]

The .303 has traditionally been compared to the .30-40 Krag, but according to Frank Barnes' Cartridges of the World, it exceeds the Krag.

I agree with your assessment of it comparing to the .30-06.

Can't say I've seen anyone shoot a bird with a .303, but I have seen my father shoot a few ground hogs with one.  Does a darn fine job!

I've seen a few Win 95's, but thats as close as I will probably get to one.

Regards,

EVOC ONE