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Ripp:
The .303 was only ever an "elephant gun" if the shooter at the time, like Selous with his .275 and .256 small-bores, never polluted his barrel with a soft-point! I would go further to say that the .303 was successful only with the Mk VI and earlier ammo, loaded with 215gr solid-core RN FMJs. The chambering was considerably less successful with the later composite-core Mk VII 174gr spitzer bullet!

Going on those I have had the pleasure to examine, most .303 sporters used in Africa probably had the earlier fast-twist barrel for the heavier RN bullet. My A&N-retailed Martini Enfield and Lee Speed sporters do.

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