| Gibbs505 |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/04/04 02:32 AM |
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303 British
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I have an old SMLE that I am in the process of repairing. The recoil lugd on the forestock have broken off and it is going to be a interestering repair job.
I jusr wondered what posters here think of first the Lee Enfield as a rifle and second, the 303 british as a hunting round. I knoew that there were a few double rifles made in 303.
Has anyone shot one?
| 475Guy |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/04/04 10:00 AM |
Re: 303 British
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Since it's an old 30 cal that's been around for a while, it's still a good cartridge with the proper bullets. I've known a couple of ol' guys who used them for deer and pigs back in the 70's. Kinda splits the diff between a 30-30 and a 30-06.
| 470Rigby |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/04/04 11:46 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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Gibbs - I have a Dan'l Fraser 303 double, and it is just about the handiest thing!
Contrary to some reports it is not fussy to reload and will digest everything from 124 to 215 grainers.
The lighter pills I use are Taipan HP's, which are devastating on thin-skinned game (Dingo's, giant Grasshoppers etc.), and the Woodleigh 215 grainers would be solid performers on Deer, but sadly I did not have them on board when I happened across a sizable Sambar Stag while out looking for Dingo's with my .303 in the Victorian High Country recently, so no personal experience to report!
| Gibbs505 |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/04/04 12:26 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Sounds like a great gun. When I can afford, I would love to get my hands on one!!
Better luck next time!
!
| Raff |
| (.300 member) |
| 13/04/04 01:36 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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505
I had a DR in .303 and used it for hog hunting.
The 215 gr. Woodleigh rnsp has all the penetration you
will need for something the size of a big hog or a large
deer. The last pig I shot was hit quartering in the
left front shoulder at 60 yards or so. The bullet exited
the ham having gone end to end through the pig. Great
bullets. I'm sorry I sold it, but I say that with every
one I no longer have.
Glen
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/04 01:37 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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In reply to:
Since it's an old 30 cal that's been around for a while, it's still a good cartridge with the proper bullets. I've known a couple of ol' guys who used them for deer and pigs back in the 70's. Kinda splits the diff between a 30-30 and a 30-06
475Guy probably knows this but the .303 is not a .30 calibre in the sense of being a .308 calibre. It is .311 so don't load .308 bullets in one. This message is just for anyone who may read this and attempt to use it that way.
He is right it does bridge the gap between the .30/30 and .30-06 is the power stakes.
I recently bought a full wood SMLE No 1 Mk111 as a wall hanger (in the safe unfortunately). It was a well used model but was amazed to find out later that all the serial numbers match. I didn't even check as the sales man told me they weren't matching! I like shooting it and even as a full wood find it very handy and light. The last time I shot it was after a .450 session and it felt like an air rifle
when I fired off a full clip rapid fire.For hunting use I am trying to convince my brother in law to sell me his cut down .303 or find another in good condition.
I like them and while slow in velocity they will kill everything in Oz and have many thousands of times.
A double .303 would be very nice and traditional as well.
| 475Guy |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/04/04 11:42 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Yes I did know it is .311 bore size. The SMLE's do great with cast bullets also. I once helped reload some .313 cast bullets for one of the rifles and they shot great. This particular rifle obviously had a slightly oversized bore as .312 would work in the other rifle but not his.
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 14/04/04 12:05 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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I used a 303 loaded with 215 gn RN SP Woodleighs in my martini with great results in the Northern Territory last year,also use it for pig hunting around the hills south of Perth .
The same rifle has also been used on scrub cattle including bulls ,all one shot kills..
I am on the lookout for a double rifle in 303.......
Al
| Gibbs505 |
| (.333 member) |
| 14/04/04 03:07 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Yes when I get the money ............ <sigh>
| Bakes |
| (.375 member) |
| 15/04/04 02:38 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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I'm going to use mine this weekend, let you know how I go.
| mickey |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/04/04 04:10 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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In reply to:
I am on the lookout for a double rifle in 303.......
Al
Like this one? Watson Bros.
| mehulkamdar |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/04/04 09:03 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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Gibbs 505,
This is a highly respected rifle and cartridge combination in India. I might get flamed for saying this, but it has been used to successfully take all of India's big game in the past.
With the 215 grain bullets, you will find it a superb killer and it will be relaxing to shoot when you have tired of the recoil of your 505.
Good hunting!
| 475Guy |
| (.400 member) |
| 16/04/04 10:50 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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Mickey, is it my machine or what- all I get is a red x.
| mickey |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/04/04 12:32 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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I don't know what is wrong. For some reason my pictures on Image Station won't show up here anymore.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 16/04/04 12:44 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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The pictures are working fine now. Sometimes sites are down or whatever causes an interruption.
Mickey
You aren't selling you .303 are you?
| mickey |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/04/04 02:56 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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In reply to:
You aren't selling you .303 are you?
No. Want to buy it? All outrageous offers will be considered.
| 4seventy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 16/04/04 03:28 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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In reply to:
All outrageous offers will be considered
Mick,
Here is a very outrageous offer for you!
Bring the Watson with you to Oz later this year and when you go home leave it with me to play with till you come back next year!
Just kidding of course, you know I'd much rather you brought that Thys 577 over for me!
| mickey |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/04/04 03:55 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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How many rifles can I bring? Was thinking of an 8 bore and a 400 3.25. I would like to shoot a buff with each, maybe some cattle etc.
| AdamTayler |
| (.375 member) |
| 19/04/04 01:31 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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I think it would be cheaper to buy another one rather than fix one. Pricing starts at about free to $150 for a sporterized rifle.
One thing to look for is corroded barrels as most people after the war who either bought their rifle, or purchased one surplus, never cleaned them so a lot of them sat in the corner of the closet rotting from the murcury in the military primers.
I learned today was that when Britain was cranking out these units, there were a lot of rifles with only two groves. More like a shotgun barrel. I looked over mine and I've got one. I've never shot it so I don't know how it shoots and I'll never find out because it is going to a gun show next weekend.
One other thing I learned was that some of the barrels were bored off center. When a friend of mine was a lot younger, he was good friends with a gun smith that sporterized people's Lee Enfields. He was showed a bucket filled with barrel crops and he could see quite easily the difference in wall thickness surrounding the bore.
All this said, it's a good rifle that will take most of North American game. It was my first rifle.
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 20/04/04 02:37 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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Mehul I totally agree with your comments
The 303 may be old however it is reliable and accurate.
Ive seen a couple of sets of 2 groove rifles complete with scopes .
They were sniper rifles,2 to a box.Aussie issue.
So if they are good enough for sniper rifles, they should shoot extremely well.
Al
| Bakes |
| (.375 member) |
| 27/04/04 09:17 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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My hunt with the .303
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 28/04/04 01:11 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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FMJ or SPs? What ammo?
| Bakes |
| (.375 member) |
| 28/04/04 07:37 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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180gr SP Highlander. Up here, $17 a box.
| Marty |
| (.300 member) |
| 06/05/04 08:25 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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In reply to:Got mine at the low end of that spectrum. Like the real low end.
Pricing starts at about free to $150 for a sporterized rifle.
But its given me a lot of fun.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 06/05/04 09:25 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Marty
In all the photos you displayed, one hardly needs anything more than a .303 for pigs. Ranges look close most of the time. The large magazine must be a plus too.
| Marty |
| (.300 member) |
| 07/05/04 12:11 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Oh I just love everything about it. 10 round mag is great when you come across a mob of 60 pigs.
But it can be used on other critters than pigs.
Ya just gotta love it.
| Gibbs505 |
| (.333 member) |
| 08/05/04 02:37 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Is that a wild horse?
| 475Guy |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/05/04 03:01 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Gibbs, that looks like a Wild Ass (feral donkey to everybody else)
.
| Marty |
| (.300 member) |
| 08/05/04 04:33 PM |
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Re: 303 British
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Thats right. Its a couple of Asses.
| Gibbs505 |
| (.333 member) |
| 09/05/04 05:07 AM |
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Re: 303 British
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Sorry, didn't mean to make a ass of myself!!