303 loads to soften recoil

[amc577]

My K31 is a bit of a beast with GP11 factory. If I shoot at Bisley, 200 yards I load up 34/36 gns of 3031 over 174 fmj and this produces an accurate but less shoulder jarring load. The lyman reloading book provides these loads with 3031

180gn fmj 35gns 2044fps 39gns 2320fps

amc577

[BigDuncs]

My K31 is a bit of a beast with GP11 factory. If I shoot at Bisley, 200 yards I load up 34/36 gns of 3031 over 174 fmj and this produces an accurate but less shoulder jarring load. The lyman reloading book provides these loads with 3031

180gn fmj 35gns 2044fps 39gns 2320fps

amc577

Thanks AMC
PS - been trying to reply to your earlier PM and your inbox is full so message won't send.....

[amc577]

My inbox now cleared.

amc577

[dodgyrog]

My inbox now cleared.

amc577

Try 200gr cast boolit - use Accurate 5744 (or the Lovex equivalent)
You have no need to use a full power load at 100 yards/metres

[BigDuncs]

Try 200gr cast boolit - use Accurate 5744 (or the Lovex equivalent)
You have no need to use a full power load at 100 yards/metres

Thanks. That's what I use for my Martini. How far can you realistically shoot that combination? I have only used about 24gn before (of 5744), but as you say, that's just for 100 yds.
I guess I'm after a load that could stretch to 500 or at least 400ys.

[Parabuteo]

It can also be down to how the rifle has been held.

Recently I was coaching a mate and was offered (force fed) hot advice by 2 experts who should have been minding it. Had he taken any notice and not shot L1A1s before he may have had a nast bruise.

Sadly, the lee really shoots best off the elbows, so if you rest it and get too low behind it the plate does not nestle into the pocket under the collar bone and belts it instead.

Likewise shooting with a sling will help pull it into the right spot. We had very young cadets who used to shoot without any bruises....nearly 40 years later I get my first bite by being sloppy and not snugging in there.

I am not for one minute saying this is the cause, but it might help.

[BigDuncs]

It can also be down to how the rifle has been held....

Good advice thanks, appreciated.

[dodgyrog]

Thanks. That's what I use for my Martini. How far can you realistically shoot that combination? I have only used about 24gn before (of 5744), but as you say, that's just for 100 yds.
I guess I'm after a load that could stretch to 500 or at least 400ys.

I don't see why not - maybe up to 26gr 5744

[BigDuncs]

I don't see why not - maybe up to 26gr 5744

Good man, thanks. And may need some more boolits from you. When are you next at Bisley?

[Parabuteo]

I have been looking to download myself but not because of recoil. .303 Brass was originally designed for black powder and some folk get hung up about the 2440 expected velocity and the sight settings matching, the trash their brass.

The problem is if you beat the shit out of the load it will beat the shit out of the brass and can separate them in short order. It wont do the rifle much good either in the long term.

Some authorities are happy with 38gr ONO of N14o behind a 174grainer. I use a near standard load of 41gr, but I am looking at exploring the slightly lower loads as mine is a 2 groove 43 savage with the original barrel. I copped a mate shooting 42.5 grains out of an old SMLE yesterday....no wonder the brass was a bit stressed.

I don't fancy messing with lead so its worth looking at. The sight setting argument is tosh as anyone shooting these rifles seriously will know sight settings and will adjust the blade to be as close as possible. In any event settings also depend on a centre of mass, 6 or sub 6 hold. I am set at 700 aiming at the base of the board to shoot at 600. My rifle is used pretty much for CSR type shoots to 600 is more than enough but I enjoy shooting it at these ranges.

Its all a bit of a mish mash anyway when you compare the old issue cordite loads and the flat based CuNi jacketed 174grain bullets with modern offerings they are miles apart. I got hold of an original Mk8z round a few weeks back and it was surprisingly close to what we would now consider a decent round, yet the older barrels still seem to prefer flat based rounds at sensible ranges.

Do what works.

[ProHunter]

even the old boys used to put a towel on there shoulder

[Maverick61]

Have used Dodgyrog's 200g GC lead bullets out to 300y with 25g Acc5744 in my 303 L/E No4 with good results.
I would thoroughly recommend that you try rog's bullets if you get a chance, even more so if you have an oversize bore as mine are sized at 0.314" & work just fine in my rifle.

Have also used the slip over leather butt pad intended for shotgun use & this helps considerably too.

Hope this helps.

[Maverick61]

Forgot to mention that I also use 123g S&B bullets in my 303 (again haven't tried past 300y yet) which works well & reduces recoil somewhat. I think these were originally intended for use in 7.62x39 AK47's as they are nominally 0.311" dia

[harry mac]

Forgot to mention that I also use 123g S&B bullets in my 303 (again haven't tried past 300y yet) which works well & reduces recoil somewhat. I think these were originally intended for use in 7.62x39 AK47's as they are nominally 0.311" dia

+1 on this. Load them with a fast (ish) rifle powder like N135 or N133 at a high enough pressure so that the brass expands to fill the chamber and the lighter bullet should reduce recoil.

[tacfoley]

My K31 is a bit of a beast with GP11 factory. If I shoot at Bisley, 200 yards I load up 34/36 gns of 3031 over 174 fmj and this produces an accurate but less shoulder jarring load. The lyman reloading book provides these loads with 3031

180gn fmj 35gns 2044fps 39gns 2320fps

amc577

I'm very surprised that with a load like that - ie. bullet first, then powder - that the bullet actually leaves the barrel.

Just syain'.

tac