Anyone here shoot the 303 calibers?

[ak7an]

Wasn't sure where to post this.
Was just curious if anyone here shoots any of the 303 calibers? I know that these are really old calibers, but a lot of fun to shoot. I have a sporterized M91 Mauser in 7.65 X 53. It shoots the Hornady 150 gr Spitzers exceptionally well, MOA, the 180 gr Sierra Pro Hunters fairly well, 1.5 to 2 MOA. I have tried the Sierra 174gr HPBT Match and they will keyhole the target a 25 yds, The 174 gr HPBT Hornady's don't keyhole, but will not group at all at 25 yds. Just wondering if anyone had any input on why I can't get the Boat tails to shoot. I found Reloader 16 to be a really good powder in this round.
Thanks and Take care
Ed

 

[atl5029]

Unfortunately I don't think many people here shoot a 303. My first attempt at building a precision rifle was on a Mosin Nagant 91/30 action. It actually shot really well with the 174 grain RN interlocks. The HPBT were not as good as the RN, but they didn't keyhole. I tried to get people here to go in with me on a group buy for some 303 cal MTH bullets from Cutting Edge, and I got 0 takers. Sorry man.

 

[ak7an]

Thanks for the reply. Kinda figured not to many on this forum shoot these old relics. Definitely not the latest cool kids on the block. I am beginning to think my old mauser has a slower twist than I originally thought. Most info says 1 in 9.8 but I have seen some that say 1 in 11. I think I will try and measure with my cleaning rod and patches. There is a ton of knowledge on here and always appreciate those that share it..
Take care and God bless
Ed

 

[atl5029]

one thing you might want to do is slug your bore using a 32 cal hornady muzzle loader ball and measure the actual minimum bore diameter you have. Tolerances on some of those old 303 barrels can be pretty loose. The hornady bullets are .312 diameter. My mosin slugged out at .314. I figure the round nose shot so much better because they have a much longer bearing surface than the HPBT which my have been able to catch the rifling better. The bullets that shoot well for you likely have a longer bearing surface as well. Just a thought you might want to investigate.

If I were you, if the rifle was sporterized well and not "bubba'd" in that it handles well and looks good, I'd pull the barrel and get a new one with the same contour. Either use a 308 bore with the same chamber, and load 308 bullets instead of 303, or chamber it in a more modern round suitable for the M91 action. I'm not sure off the top of my head how the pressures compare to the 7.65x53, but maybe the 300 or 250 Savage might suit you well.

 

[ak7an]

If I were you, if the rifle was sporterized well and not "bubba'd" in that it handles well and looks good, I'd pull the barrel and get a new one with the same contour. Either use a 308 bore with the same chamber, and load 308 bullets instead of 303, or chamber it in a more modern round suitable for the M91 action. I'm not sure off the top of my head how the pressures compare to the 7.65x53, but maybe the 300 or 250 Savage might suit you well.

My Mauser is definitely not bubbaized lol.. It has been very well done and a very fine rifle. Its funny you mention the rechamber with a 308 barrel, as I have seriously considered doing this. It would open up a huge selection of high quality high BC bullets. Then again it would take some of the nostalgia away from keeping it original. Pac-Nor lists it as a chamber that they cut and fit. I think I will slug and determine twist rate before I decide.
Take care and God bless
Ed

 

[atl5029]

Possibly a better option in order to keep the original barrel would be to rebore and rechamber the barrel. I had Dan Pendersen at Classic Barrel and Gunworks in AZ rebore a 30-06 to 35 Whelen for me. He did awesome work. A suitable 8mm, 338, or 35 cal round would make a nice hunting rifle. Maybe 35 Rem. If you go the route of 8mm mauser, 338 federal, or 358 Win, I'd make sure the action could take the pressure first or download the cartridge to safe pressure levels.

 

[Wild Bill G]

If want to keep the nostelga I think you can probably find new barrel in that chamber from army surplas stores. How ever even new barrels won't guarante not getting a sloppy bore. Unless you get a custom barrel built to either >311 or .312 which ever you choose. Here in Canada the 303 Brit is the 311 to have but a few other military rounds come in as well.

 

[ak7an]

If want to keep the nostelga I think you can probably find new barrel in that chamber from army surplas stores. How ever even new barrels won't guarante not getting a sloppy bore. Unless you get a custom barrel built to either >311 or .312 which ever you choose. Here in Canada the 303 Brit is the 311 to have but a few other military rounds come in as well.

I have looked online and replacement barrels are few and far between, and like you said no guarantee that I wouldn't be in the same boat after rebarreling. I would definitely do a Pac-Nor or similar replacement. Pac-Nor can even do a contour copy of the original so it would still have that original look.

Possibly a better option in order to keep the original barrel would be to rebore and rechamber the barrel. I had Dan Pendersen at Classic Barrel and Gunworks in AZ rebore a 30-06 to 35 Whelen for me. He did awesome work. A suitable 8mm, 338, or 35 cal round would make a nice hunting rifle. Maybe 35 Rem. If you go the route of 8mm mauser, 338 federal, or 358 Win, I'd make sure the action could take the pressure first or download the cartridge to safe pressure levels.

Not sure if I would want to go to a larger bore and caliber. The action is what I would call a medium not a long action so that would limit what you could go to. As far as pressures 8x57 or 35 Rem would be safe alternatives. I think the 358 or 338 Fed would have to be throttled back a bit and that would kind of defeat having that done. Thanks for the great suggestions.
I will post a couple of pictures when i remember where I saved them.. My CRS is kicking in.
Take care and God Bless.
Ed

 

[ak7an]

I found them..

 

[RT2506]

I shoot the 303 British and the 7.62x54R in multiple rifles. Yep slug your bore to see which bullet to use either .311 or .312. I have not had any problems shooting the boat tail bullets which are the proper diameter for the rifle. The 174 Match King is one of the most accurate bullet in my .311 rifles. It is just plain accurate especially in my Model 39 Finn 7.62x54R. I have one Mosin 91/30 that really likes the .312 Hornady 174 RN. My rifles seem to really like the 174/80 gr over the 150s. Have not really got them to shoot the 150s accurately.

 

[atl5029]

Wow that is a nice sporterized rifle.

 

[ak7an]

Thanks, not bad for $240 at a gun show back in 1990. I refinished the stock and reblued all the metal this past spring. Used the Birchwood Casey products. It is wearing a Leupold VX1 3-9x40. The reticle post is 4MOA on 9 power. Sighted to dead on at 250 makes the post 400 with the 180 gr Sierra Pro Hunters. Milk Jugs are a blast to shoot at that distance.
Take care and God Bless
Ed

 

[atl5029]

yeah that's a nice deal. If you do some searching on here you'll find Hammer bullets. Depending on what your bore slugs out at, you might be able to have Steve at Hammer turn you some custom diameter bullets just for your rifle.

 

[gunners]

Grafs used to do 150 gr SST p/n3135g for the 303 got them down to well below MOA in a wildcat but I have a new barrel
B.C is a reasonable 0.410 as well. I still have near 200 projectiles hope to get more