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Joined: Aug 2012
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Sidelock
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Sidelock

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Serial number puts it at 1896. So, I do a little hand loading but I have never loaded for a rifle this old. I am hoping to get some advise on where to start. What bullet weight should I try to start with? Perhaps something from Wooodleigh? They have a 174 and a 215. I guess I am assuming that off the shelf Federal (someone gave me some 150's) may not be ideal. Suggestions for powder? Cautions? Thanks in advance.

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Sidelock
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Any pictures of the rifle ?

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check the headspace and firing pin protrusion and then proceed as normal. A good design that should be plenty strong enough for the .303


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one other thing. I would bet that the rate of twist is very fast for the 215 gr load, but you may want to check it to see.


http://www.bertramandco.com/
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What are the Proof Marks on this rifle, are they Black Powder or Nitro powder. The .303 British round was BP loaded at first it was only later that it changed to Nitro Powder. The Black Powder round had a pre formed BP pellet inserted during the case forming process so loading loose BP into the .303 round will just cause it to spill over the case mouth.

As others have said check the twist first and then work out what bullet can be stabilised in that twist, and go from there.

Harry.


Biology is the only science where multiplication can be achieved by division.
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Sidelock
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I posted about this rifle awhile back when I first got it but here are some better pics. One on top is the Jeffery. Twist looks to be almost 1:10. With that kind of twist maybe the 174's?

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Before shooting, I suggest you slug the bore & look closely at the marks left by the grooves on the slug. There were no real standards back then, particularly with something like a Purdey. Each big-name maker had their own ideas & even the patterns of rifling varied. If you know the groove diameter and the general shape of the lands & grooves, you can better select the proper bullet. You might also consider making a cast of the chamber , throat and the first inch or so of the barrel with something Cerrosafe. The rifle is probably chambered for the British military case, but there were other .303s that used quite different cases.

The 1:10 twist would stabilize almost any bullet you select. Looking at the shelves in my garage, I find Hornady & Sierra bullets with box labels indicating diameters of .310, .311, .312 & .313. Bullets like those are probably easier to find (and will be less costly) than Woodleighs.

I have an 1893 Martini/Enfield converted to .303 (military) in 1897. My rifle shoots well with .311" dia. Hornady 174 or 180 grain round-nose bullets and about 36 grains of IMR-3031. Any of the IMR powders with moderate burn rates should work (3031, 4064, 4895, 4320). Try to find at least 2 different loading handbooks from the 1940s or 50s.

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A good comparison between London and Birmingham Proof House markings can be found here, your photographs of the proof marks on your rifle are not as clear as I'd like them to be See :-

http://proofmarks.tripod.com/englishproofs.html

Harry


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Deleted.

Last edited by Harry Eales; 10/18/13 07:56 AM. Reason: duplicated post

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Sidelock
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Depends on what you want to do with it. 303's are wonderfull cast bullet cartridges. 200 gr bullet with IMR/Hodgon 4759 at about 1600 fps. Action is probably plenty strong however the wood is old and repeated recoil full power jacketed smokless loads will take a toll. Just like old Shotguns.

You can also use some combination of cast for most shooting and a few Jackated loads for hunting.

Boats

Last edited by Boats; 10/18/13 05:27 PM.
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