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Safari-Hunt - the .303?
#274 - 31/12/02 02:00 AM

From: NitroExpressCom (Original Message) Sent: 12/19/2002 6:35 PM
Safari-Hunt

I believe you use a .303 as your "plains game" rifle, or probably more accurately as your "medium game" rifle.

Can you tell me why? How you like it? What you've shot with it? etc

It certainly is a cartridge with nostalgia and once was VERY popular here in Oz, but almost 100% has been replaced by more modern commercial rounds. Nevertheless I don't see why it isn't a quite acceptable game getter.

I would appreciate any comments you can share.

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Re: Safari-Hunt - the .303? [Re: Prev_Forum]
#275 - 31/12/02 02:01 AM

From: Safari-Hunt Sent: 12/19/2002 7:45 PM
NitroExpress,

First of all my 303 was my frist rifle I got it when I was 16 it was also very cheap R595.00 for an lee enfield mark iv no. 1 . I fitted a scope on it a small compact scope 4 x 32 from Ram which still works like a dream. The week after I got the license the frist warthog fell to it. It is also the warthog that gave me a scar on my right upper leg (That is a story on it'a won). Anyway since then before it pulled down an antelope it had around 20 -25 hogs to it's name. The first antelope it took is a kudu cow I was also relaoding for it and the bullet was a 180 grain sierra after that I never used anything else than hornady as I din't find any remains of the sierra bullet in the cow.

I always amazed when comparing ballistic tables the 303 is better off than the 7 x 57, 300 savage and very close to the 308 loaded correctly and people still think it is an poor round to hunt with. I have a 375 as well and I don't see the need for another medium bore rifle as I load my 375 to cover long shots on large game or even springbuck. The 303 enfield loads very fast with it's action takes 10 in the mag great for hogs and you never have to worry about bullet performance with the speed generated. I'm loading 215 grainers now but still have too shoot something with it. Heavy bullet travelling at 2200 fps what else do you want to tackle any game in the bushveld. The SD of the 215 grainer is excellent because it is so long and should get great penetration and I would even take on eland if it gives me a nice broadside shot.

If my 303 finally decides to retire I will get a 30-06 I think but I don't know will decide when I get there never know maybe I can pick up another nice old 303

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Re: Safari-Hunt - the .303? [Re: Prev_Forum]
#276 - 31/12/02 02:01 AM

From: Honey badger Sent: 12/19/2002 11:04 PM
Good report SH. Is your SMLE standard (apart from the scope) or is it a sporterized model?

I think the .303's poor reputation as a hunting rifle stems from people using miltary FMJ ammo which is far from ideal but, properly loaded, a .303 can still cut the mustard - as you've proved. JH Patterson used one to kill the man eating lions of Tsavo.

A .303 No 4 was the first full bore rifle I ever fired, as a skinny little thirteen year old army cadet, and I've still got a soft spot for the rifles, and the calibre in general. There's still plenty of them kicking about, which means that they're good value, too. I think I might invest in one or two when I'm posted back to the UK.

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Re: Safari-Hunt - the .303? [Re: Prev_Forum]
#277 - 31/12/02 02:02 AM

From: Safari-Hunt Sent: 12/20/2002 12:22 AM
HoneyBadger,

Thanx I have a very big soft spot for the 303 it was an original SMLE then it got too heavy so I cut off some of the stock at the bottom and took off the top side as well. It was a working rifle and still is, didn't care how it looked. It was just damn heavy to carry around the mountains the whole time.

It now however has a fibreglass stock in black fits in nicely with the matt black of the barrel and action. It shot patterns like a shotgun after that and I had it properly bedded now it shoot like a sweet thing again. It took a bit of a backseat because of this and I mostly used my 375 but now that she is ready again I would love to try out those 215 grainers on game especially a hog or two or three or ..............

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Re: Safari-Hunt - the .303? [Re: Prev_Forum]
#278 - 31/12/02 02:02 AM

From: NitroExpressCom Sent: 12/20/2002 11:47 AM
Safari-Hunt and Honey Badger

Thanks for your comments.

I am going to look over the next couple years for two or three '03s. I would like one in SMLE No1 MkIII in as original condition as possible as a wall hanger. Ideally with bayonet and accuments. Possibly with some "Light Horse" leather such as scabbard and saddle bags and webbing etc.

Another would be a cut down .303, a Mk4 would be good and either used with peep sights or a low powered scope. Just for fun and the ten round magazine.

Lastly if I could find a similarly setup rifle in the .25/303 calibre. Again really just for fun and posterity.

As a real wall hanger I would love to find a Lee-Metford in reasonable condition but that might be harder.

Good cheap commercial bullets used to be available in the Taipan range here and would be murder on pigs. I like the idea of the calibre and its history. I think its "demise" is due to a number of factors:
being a rimmed cartridge in a bolt action;
not being marketed by one of the major commercial American ammunition manufacturers. Most of the British rounds were too "proprietory".
In the speed stakes being a little under powered but realistically not a noticable difference
Lack of range of commercial bullets
But its other strength, at least in the 1950's here in Australia was affordability, with some many ex-mil rifles around, semi-wildcats like the .25, .270 /03s were also developed. However you think it, a great bit of history in the Commonwealth.

(PS The "Then" in the title is a typo. I was using my laptop and the spacebar sticks and sometimes inserts a N instead of a space.)

BigFive, I believe has also recently purchased a .303. Any comments, BF?

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Re: Safari-Hunt - the .303? [Re: Prev_Forum]
#279 - 31/12/02 02:03 AM

From: Safari-Hunt Sent: 12/20/2002 7:13 PM
If you want to get a 303 collection together RSA is your place you should be able ti find all of them over here.

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