.338/303 Brit?

[kombi1976]

I was looking at the specs for the .338-06 the other day & noticed the comparative increase in MV and ME for the increase in cal. I then thought about which other sort of standard action .30 cal style rounds that could also benefit from necking up to .338.
Surely the .303 Brit would be an appropriate case to base a .338 round on as well?
It was originally loaded as a black powder round for Martinis with a 215gr RN and while the MV wasn't massive and the trajectory was pretty parabolic compared to modern rounds there's no reason why a 180, 200 or 220gr couldn't be used effectively in such a wild cat.
I think it'd make an excellent mid-range elk round.
What's the consensus?

[Rick Teal]

I believe that one of the Epps wildcats used his blown out .303 case and a .33 calibre neck - I think he called it the .338 Epps.  Since the .303 Epps produces velocities a little better than 30-06 velocities (when loaded to spec.), I would expect this wildcat to approximate the .338-06 A-Frame.

A non-blown-out .303 case opened to .338 would likely have very little shoulder (though this shouldn't be a problem if it headspaces on the shoulder).  I would expect its velocity to be a little less than the .338-08.

[oso45-70]

Rick Teal,
If i remember right the 303 brit-epps had a rather sharp shoulder and for that matter so did the 303 ILC improved,  I think you could make a 348
imp. but that would be getting away from the 303 case that Kombi1976 was talking about. Most of the ventures i have been tangled up with were done on 30-30, 30-40, 30-06 cases. Did mess around with the 8mm a little. Any way i've shot my wad so i'll get out of here and let you guys have it. Take care Rick........Kombi........See Ya...Mate
...........Joe................

[Catfish]

Ken Waters built up a .338-303 imp. on a mauser action. Actuacially rebored the barrel on a .303 to .338 and rechambered it. He was pushing 200 grn. bullets to around 2,350 fps. in a mauser action, probibly couldn`t get that in an Enfield action. The artical ( 1 page ) can be read in Wildcat Cartridges Vol. 1

[kombi1976]

Ken Waters built up a .338-303 imp. on a mauser action. Actuacially rebored the barrel on a .303 to .338 and rechambered it. He was pushing 200 grn. bullets to around 2,350 fps. in a mauser action, probibly couldn`t get that in an Enfield action.

I presume you mean .338/303 improved when you say imp.

As to the muzzle velocity of a 200gr .338 bullet, I know that the old black powder .303 rounds used a 215gr lead pill and they were pushing them along around the 2100fps mark. With a tight action, smokeless powder and a jacketted bullet I'd imagine they wouldn't be that far behind. To be honest though I think the increase in cal means the bullet of the same weight is shorter with the result being less friction. Therefore there should be some small gains in MV.
I could be wrong.