Has Anyone reloaded for .303Brit to match the Mk1 micrometer sight??

[lostsniper308]

I reload for my No.4 Mk.1 Enfield but have no means to load any now (Iraq). Has anyone reloaded 174gr ammunition to recreate the 2440fps MkVII 174grFMJ ammunition that the Enfield's rear micrometer sight was calibrated for? I want to keep my enfield in open sight config, but want handloads that match the rear sight markings.
http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ti16.htm
this included link shows the 25yrd zero target.

[Mikey]

I have used the 174 gn Hornady RNSP in the 303 (.312 diameter) over 43.7 gns of N (Norma) 203 powder for (what I believe to be the mil-spec loading of) 2540'/sec.  Most US made loads are usually at least 100'/sec slower, hence the difference in velocities.

Norma powder has not been available for years and I have switched to the VihtaVuori Oy powders and load data. 

My current load and preference for the 303 Brit, with either a 180 gn (.311) fmj or sp is with 41.7 gns of N140 for 2540'/sec. 

Both loads shot are mil-spec (I believe) and to poa with the #4 Mk1 micrometer sight or the Mk1 No3 ladder sight.

ps: you should be able to use the same battle sight zero target for the 303 Brit that you would use for the M1 Garand or the M14.  There is very little difference in the trajectories of the three rounds between 25 and 250m. 

ps#2:  most American Reloading Manuals will have load offerings for the 303 Brit at 2440'/sec.  HTH.  Mikey.

However, to err on the side of caution when shooting the older mil-surps you should know that it is doubtful that the difference in trajectory is more than 1"  between the 2540 and the 2440'/sec loads and I seriously doubt you would be able to discern the difference twixt the two with an open sight.  As the Drill Sargeant used to say - 'Dang it son, if it hits the bottom of the 10 ring ya get the same score if it hits the top of the 10 ring'.  HTH.  Mikey. 

[WILD_WEASEL]

I have a couple Enfields I reload for.  Looking at the fired cases you’d swear they were not chambered for the same cartridge.  My No1Mk3 Indian Grenadier has a tight chamber and excellent bore, while my No4Mk1 blows the shoulder out quite a bit but has an excellent bore too.  To extend case life each rifle has its own box of x50 cases and I use a Redding 303 British neck sizer die.  I do most of my shooting with the No4Mk1.  With the following load (WW case, WLR primer, 39gr of 3031, Hornady 174gr RN) I have to set the rear sight to 300 yards to hit point of aim at 100 yards, but the up side is that using the battle sight I’m dead on at 100 yards.  While IMR 3031 is considered a preferred powder for the 303 British, I’ve always thought it a bit on the fast side.  After getting great results with Hodgdon’s VARGET in my Mosin Nagant M44 I decided to try Varget in my Enfields.  I loaded up rounds, using data from the Hodgdon web sight as follows, (WW case, WLR primer, 40gr Varget, and a Sierra 180gr SP) these should be close to 2400fps.  Was going to Angeles Shooting range this weekend to try them out but canceled due to a brush/forest fire in Little Tujunga Canyon where they are located.  At some point I’d like to experiment with the lighter 125gr (.310/.311) bullets intended for the 7.62x39 in both my Enfields and Nagant rifles.  But with their cost being close to the heavier 150gr and 180gr bullets this may be some time off unless I can find an inexpensive source for the  125gr bullets.

Be safe over there in Dirkadirkastan.

[Siskiyou]

I have not fired my .303 British Jungle Carbine across a Chrony, but my best result from an accuracy standpoint has been with the 174-grain Hornady RN, pushed with IMR4320.  This load beats all the military ammo I have tried over the last 40-years.  The best military ammo I have fire is Canadian.

One of the reasons I like it is because it works with the sights.

[lostsniper308]

Well accuracy is important for sure, but i'm really looking match the trajectory best i can. so guess i can take various loads and check them against the proving target with the 200-600yrd markings. woman i know gets a match firing 174gr at 2500fps so perhaps the answer is within that

[Saloon slug]

My favorite load is the 180gr .311 Sierra Pro Hunter over 43gr of IMR4320. This load in my gun shoots to the Mk1 sights. I dont have a Crony but it shoots very well thru my 2 grove Savage bbl.

[Larry Gibson]

The Sierra .311 180 gr Game King loaded right at 2425 fps follows the micromter rear sight ranges for MKVII ammo to 800 yards (I didn't shoot it past that as Douglas Ridge was only 800 yards back then).  I used IMR 4895 to duplicate the load.

Larry Gibson

[WILD_WEASEL]

On my last trip to Angeles I tried a new load in my No4Mk1.  Remington case (fire formed to the No4s’ chamber and neck sized), 40gr of VARGET, WLR primer, and Sierra .311 180gr SP.  With the ladder sight set to the shorter line on 300 these hit dead center on a 3 inch bullseye at 100 yards using a 6:00 hold, with the battle sight hitting the same area

[ECV Slick]

Yes, I use the Hornady the 174gr FMJBT that is .3105 diameter.  I get best results using IMR-3031 in Winchester brass with Federal 210 primers.

I chroneyed my loads and got the following:

38.0gr = 2301 fps

38.5gr = 2432 fps

I neglected to mention this load was from a short #5 Enfield Jungle Carbine with an exceptional bore.  As always - start lower and work up.  The IMR-3031 has proven to be far and away the powder of choice for these loads.

[gstewart44]

I load 39.0 gr of IMR 3031 with a Sierra 180gr Pro Hunter.   This gives me about 2420 fps out of my MK 4 no1 and the stock sights are right on.