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Tiger! When I think of a Lee Speed, India immediately comes to mind. I once had an Indian classmate, who told me that his father's trophy room was carpeted with tiger skins. When I asked him what caliber rifle his father used, he replied ".303 of course! Ammunition is hard to come by, so he used military surplus. Solids, of course." When I asked him where his father aimed, thinking he would say chest or shoulder, instead he said, "Right between the eyes. Ammunition is expensive and he couldn't afford to expend more than one shot per tiger."

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This was in 1967, when I was a student in the Goethe Institut in Murnau, Bavaria. I don't think I ever knew Mr. Mukerji's first name (and probably couldn't have pronounced it if I had). I was one of a class which consisted of me as the only American, a Polish lady, a French lady, a Swede, a Belgian and a Norwegian. German was the only language used in the classes. I spent twelve weeks there and came away with an improved knowledge of spoken German and a bride (one of the instructors).

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Sounds like a busy 12 weeks...

Congrats... Love Germany..have only been there twice..but beautiful country..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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For me it's all Africa. Antelopes and Lions would be my choice. While plenty of hunters used 303's in Australia and New Zealand they were normally sporterised SMLE's rather than a true Lee-Speed.

Matt.

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For me it's all Africa. Antelopes and Lions would be my choice. While plenty of hunters used 303's in Australia and New Zealand they were normally sporterised SMLE's rather than a true Lee-Speed.

Matt.

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No matter how much you think about it, this is really the crux of it all!
Man-Eaters Of Tsavo
In my humble opinion, yes this nails it!

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Agree..and who are located in a museum in Chicago..
Saw them several years ago..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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For me it's all Africa. Antelopes and Lions would be my choice. While plenty of hunters used 303's in Australia and New Zealand they were normally sporterised SMLE's rather than a true Lee-Speed.

Matt.

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No matter how much you think about it, this is really the crux of it all!
Man-Eaters Of Tsavo
In my humble opinion, yes this nails it!

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Says it all. Oh and a German spiked helmet from WW1

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Hello brains trust!

Today I woke up thinking long and hard that once my lee speed mock up sporter is finished being built I should look into having some engraving done. So my question is, what animal best represents the 303 British to you? My feeling is as an Aussie that a Red deer would best the 303. No doubt countless reds have fallen to the 303 in Aus, NZ and the UK.
Is there a species that screams 303 British to you?

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PapaScarface

Make sure we see this rifle and its engraving one day.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Rabbits.

As a member of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at School I worked the system. I was in the RAF section so learnt to fly. But also known to be a keen rifleman so I was sergeant in charge of the school range. Monday afternoons I would set up the range with No8s and Martini 22lr and have squads of 13 to 16 year old boys under my instruction. I myself would shoot 200 rounds a week!

As main rifles we had No 4s and a half a dozen Bren Guns - all fully working.

When it came to exercises I would be seconded to the Army as “enemy". Myself and a couple of others would be given a few handfuls of 303 blanks, a Bren and a couple of No 4s and told to go and provide skirmishing and covering fire.

Why Rabbits?

Well a 303 Blank has a hard cadboard wad. Army rations were pretty rank. If you get in close to some rabbits as you are creeping into an ambush. Then instruct your squad to take aim and when the attack is signalled you open up on half a dozen rabbits grazing quietly at 20 yards with a 303 bren and No4s, when the smoke clears there will be three or four rather dazed and stunned rabbits that with a quick rugby tackle can then be turned into a fine dinner over a camp fire!! It happened more than once.

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. Guess it worked alright.

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Rabbits.

As a member of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at School I worked the system. I was in the RAF section so learnt to fly. But also known to be a keen rifleman so I was sergeant in charge of the school range. Monday afternoons I would set up the range with No8s and Martini 22lr and have squads of 13 to 16 year old boys under my instruction. I myself would shoot 200 rounds a week!

As main rifles we had No 4s and a half a dozen Bren Guns - all fully working.

When it came to exercises I would be seconded to the Army as “enemy". Myself and a couple of others would be given a few handfuls of 303 blanks, a Bren and a couple of No 4s and told to go and provide skirmishing and covering fire.

Why Rabbits?

Well a 303 Blank has a hard cadboard wad. Army rations were pretty rank. If you get in close to some rabbits as you are creeping into an ambush. Then instruct your squad to take aim and when the attack is signalled you open up on half a dozen rabbits grazing quietly at 20 yards with a 303 bren and No4s, when the smoke clears there will be three or four rather dazed and stunned rabbits that with a quick rugby tackle can then be turned into a fine dinner over a camp fire!! It happened more than once.

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Great story.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Tiger! When I think of a Lee Speed, India immediately comes to mind. I once had an Indian classmate, who told me that his father's trophy room was carpeted with tiger skins. When I asked him what caliber rifle his father used, he replied ".303 of course! Ammunition is hard to come by, so he used military surplus. Solids, of course." When I asked him where his father aimed, thinking he would say chest or shoulder, instead he said, "Right between the eyes. Ammunition is expensive and he couldn't afford to expend more than one shot per tiger."

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Another cool story.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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This was in 1967, when I was a student in the Goethe Institut in Murnau, Bavaria. I don't think I ever knew Mr. Mukerji's first name (and probably couldn't have pronounced it if I had). I was one of a class which consisted of me as the only American, a Polish lady, a French lady, a Swede, a Belgian and a Norwegian. German was the only language used in the classes. I spent twelve weeks there and came away with an improved knowledge of spoken German and a bride (one of the instructors).

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Yet another. And the "student" poaching the teacher.

Sounds like a great experience all round. Plus living in Bavaria for three months.

I assume it was Hochdeutsch not Bavarian lingo?

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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A .303 British Lee Speed with engraving of a red stag suits Australia and NZ well. A kangaroo of course as well. The .303 or its derivatives has probably killed as many kangaroos as any other cartridge.

More exotic, I like the idea of Indian game. Water buffalo, gaur, tiger. Especially the deer species which are in common, India and Australia, sambar deer, chital of axis deer and hog deer.

If it was mine I would strongly have a preference for water buffalo, tiger and sambar deer. If it was desired to have a common Aussie and Indian theme, water buffalo and sambar deer.

As for Africa, maybe a Maneaters of Tsavo theme. With maned lion and perhaps a suitable antelope theme.

On a completely different note, perhaps an Afghan theme, Mujaheddin and Speztnaz Russian soldiers!

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It is interesting to read past comments, sometimes from a couple of decades ago and see if you think the same? I usually do.

I did add Indian Blackbuck to my thoughts this time as well. Tiger, Sambar and Blackbuck. Water buff and gaur.

I don't think of Africa for the .303 as much, except black Askari troopers carrying them, or WW2 North Africa. Africa makes me think of the 7x57, 6.5x54 MS, .375 H&H, .404 and .416.NE DRs etc

For Scottish red deer I think of a .275 Rigby M98.

The Australian theme of water buff and sambar would be great on a DR sideplates in .303 Brit.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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LOL - when I read the title of this thread, I said "MOOSE, then thought 215gr. RN KKSP". BC, of course.

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Ha!!

Beat me to it!!

That was the first one that came to my mind.

MOOSE!

And has to be a kitchen table sporterized No 1, also.

Second thought to mind was the first bear I shot many years ago.



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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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Did the .303 see much time in India? I always thought it was banned pretty early on? Perhaps I’m wrong, in any case Indian game brings Corbett and his exploits with the 275 and his double to the front of mind.

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I wonder if we can examine this further.

Was the .303 British used a lot in India in the first half plus of the 20th Century in India as a civilian hunting cartridge?

I believe it was. But is this true? I believe I have seen some comments about Indians or resident hunters there using the .303.

But there was also the military calibre ban?

What period of time was the military calibre ban active for?

Comments welcome.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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9.3X57 Nice trophy and your No5 looks to be in good condition.

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