good powder for .303 british cast load

[chupiw]

I just recently purchased some 170gr Beartooth bullets for my .303 British.  I am planning on working on some informal target practice loads with cast bullets.  I do not want to use reduced loads with fillers.  I would like a powder that takes up most of the case volume but will yield modest pressure and velocity.  Any recommendations.  I looked at accurate arms data and their 3100 and 8700 looked like they had possibilities.  Has anyone tried these.  Would appreciate any info Thanks

[jgalar]

I use 11 grains of Unique in my 303 with cast bullets. Does not come anywhere near filling the case,  but shoots well. I don't use any fillers and don't have a problem with powder position. I got the load from the Lyman cast bullet book.

[Joe Kool]

Use IMR 4759, it was designed for reduced loads. It's bulky, taking up a lot of space for it's weight, so no fillers are neded. It delivers good accuracy most of the time. It's the powder I usually start with, when I develop a cast bullet load.  

[jgalar]

Joe Cool has a good powder for you. I used to use it, but got similar accuracy with the Unique for less money.

[Joe Kool]

jgalar, I've used Unique for cast bullet loads and have gotten good resaults. If you have Unique on hand for loading handgun rounds, by all means try it before you go out and buy another powder. If you have a chronograph try to get the velocity between 1700 to 1750 fps., that seems to be the sweet spot, where the best accuracy is usually found, with 30 caliber cast bullets. If I want really low velocity, I like Red Dot. I just developed a sub-sonic load in a 30/06 using Red Dot and a 220 gr. cast bullet. Red Dot doesn't seem to be position sensitive. I chambered a round, pointed the barrel downward and shook the gun, to position the powder to the front of the case. Then I gently brought the gun level and fired the round through the chronograph. Did the same but pointed the gun up, to position the powder to the rear of the case. For 10 shots the velocity varied from 1045 to 1070 fps. I've tested some powders, in this manner, and seen a velocity spread of up to 175 fps. The load in my 30/06 shoots near an inch at 100 yds.. Recoil is so low that you can see the bullet impact through the scope. Had no problems plinking targets out to 175 yds., ran out out rounds before I could try longer shots. I looked in my old Lyman reloading hand book (45th Edition) Lyman said that bullet #311299 (202 gr. round nose) is an excellent bullet for the 303 British The accuracy load is listed as: 23.0 gr of IMR 4227 at 1745 fps.