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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39201
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

The .303 in Africa
#152109 - 29/01/10 02:36 AM

The .303 in Africa

The .303 in Africa - article

PDF article 1.9 Mb

(supplied by a member)
(added to Ezine)

--------------------
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"

Edited by NitroX (29/01/10 02:48 AM)

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eagle27
.400 member

Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1123
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: NitroX]
#152160 - 29/01/10 07:41 PM

Quite a good article but I wonder sometimes how well some people read books. The author states that "in John Taylor's book the incomparable, African Rifles and Cartridges, the 303 doesn't even warrant a mention!"

The article author must have skipped page 172. The 303 was Taylor's first rifle when he set out on his elephant hunting career.

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rigbymauser
.400 member

Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1970
Loc: Denmark

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: eagle27]
#152173 - 30/01/10 12:51 AM

Quote:

Quite a good article but I wonder sometimes how well some people read books. The author states that "in John Taylor's book the incomparable, African Rifles and Cartridges, the 303 doesn't even warrant a mention!"

The article author must have skipped page 172. The 303 was Taylor's first rifle when he set out on his elephant hunting career.

Great artical.

John Taylor also mentions in "Pondoro" his first rifle he bought( in africa) was infact a .303. He also stated he got it because he couldn`t affort any other.

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Checkman
.333 member

Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: rigbymauser]
#153338 - 11/02/10 09:01 AM

Thank you for that article. Great reading. By the way do any of you know of somebody who has (recently) taken a .303 rifle to Africa with them? If so how did they do? I own three Lee Enfields and a BSA Lee Speed Sporter (because I can) and I've often thought if I won the lottery and went to Africa it would be fun to take the Lee Speed as my light rifle in my two rifle battery. The heavy would be a nice Mauser in .375 H&H (mainly because I have experience with that caliber) by the way. Anyway just curious. Thanks again for the article.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Checkman]
#153401 - 12/02/10 05:37 AM

Agree--good article..my very first centerfire I ever bought was at around age 12 I purchased for a Lee-Enfield for aroun$40 from my uncle John. It is very similar to the botton one shown on the last page of the article...hunted with it for years...still have it to this day...didn't know at the time I was getting an elephant gun..

Ripp

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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rigbymauser
.400 member

Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1970
Loc: Denmark

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Ripp]
#153404 - 12/02/10 06:08 AM

i have thought og bringing my m98 in .303 to afrika along with a scoped rifle. I want to shoot atleast one piece of game with it.

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Checkman
.333 member

Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: rigbymauser]
#153444 - 12/02/10 03:31 PM

Oh yes that sounds like an excellent idea. Get something impressive with the .303 and post the photos. Or better yet an Elephant.

Edited by Checkman (12/02/10 05:55 PM)

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Sarg
.400 member

Reged: 20/01/07
Posts: 1365
Loc: Nil

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Checkman]
#153457 - 12/02/10 07:43 PM

Not one of mine , but here is a Big Buff shot with a 303 , not a Classic model how ever !

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SafariHunt
.333 member

Reged: 02/01/03
Posts: 468
Loc: Pretoria RSA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Sarg]
#153494 - 13/02/10 04:47 AM

Isn't that the jungle carbine ????

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"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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SafariHunt
.333 member

Reged: 02/01/03
Posts: 468
Loc: Pretoria RSA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: rigbymauser]
#153495 - 13/02/10 04:50 AM

Quote:

i have thought og bringing my m98 in .303 to afrika along with a scoped rifle. I want to shoot atleast one piece of game with it.

I have downed more game with my .303 than my 375 H&H up to the size and including a lot of kudu bulls. This year as a loaner rifle to clients it shot 2 zebras 2 warthogs and 2 impalas all one shot kills. Nothing wrong with the caliber.

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"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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Checkman
.333 member

Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: SafariHunt]
#153570 - 13/02/10 07:33 PM

So it's a very effective load when used properly even in Africa. Excellent. As an American ,and an Idahoan, I've been told I'm crazy for being a fan of a "British caliber". Guess I'm supposed to prefer the 30-06 or .308 Winchester, but I like the .303.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Checkman]
#153599 - 14/02/10 02:10 AM

Quote:

So it's a very effective load when used properly even in Africa. Excellent. As an American ,and an Idahoan, I've been told I'm crazy for being a fan of a "British caliber". Guess I'm supposed to prefer the 30-06 or .308 Winchester, but I like the .303.

The .303 rocks....

Have probably shot more deer with mine that all my other guns put together..only gun I used for many years...at least until I could afford a "better" round..truth be told..most everything I have shot in the past 40 years probably could have been done just as good with the old .303...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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JabaliHunter
.400 member

Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Ripp]
#153605 - 14/02/10 03:18 AM

The .303 - for sportsmen of distinction!

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: JabaliHunter]
#153619 - 14/02/10 05:49 AM

Quote:

The .303 - for sportsmen of distinction!

Absolutely.... think that has been proven by this very thread...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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eagle27
.400 member

Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1123
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Ripp]
#153624 - 14/02/10 07:00 AM

Great photo there Sarg. And those 'Jungle Carbines' are one of the best rifles for getting into the rough and tough. Extremely strong in the woodwork, one of the fastest bolt actions produced, and a clip in 10 shot mag. With good sporting bullets and loads there are no flies on the 303. The SMLE rifle is not able to produce the pin point accuracy that some seek but within normal hunting ranges they are quite capable of getting the job done.

Aren't those Aussie buffs great trophies. Don't seem to have the same status as the African but I guess that's maybe just due to the fact they are not found in 'romantic' Africa. Perhaps they should introduce them to that continent then you would have the best of both worlds. They would be most happy in some of that delta area in Africa.

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Mike_Bailey
.400 member

Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: eagle27]
#153625 - 14/02/10 07:04 AM

I wonder if between them the .303 and .30-06 have taken more game WORLDWIDE than all the other calibers ? (excluding vermin) best, Mike

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Checkman
.333 member

Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Mike_Bailey]
#153643 - 14/02/10 10:24 AM

Quote:

I wonder if between them the .303 and .30-06 have taken more game WORLDWIDE than all the other calibers ? (excluding vermin) best, Mike

I would say yes. Though some might want to include the 7x57 Mauser, but I think the .303 and 30-06 probably lead the pack. And of those two I have no doubt that the .303 is Number One. If for no other reason than the fact that the British Empire was so extensive and their rifles and other firearms seemed to end up everywhere.

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Oldsarge
.300 member

Reged: 07/02/05
Posts: 180
Loc: SoCal Borderlands

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Checkman]
#155739 - 08/03/10 06:11 AM

I would venture to say that with a .303 and a .404, one could effectively hunt the world. Adding a .505 would be nice but not truly necessary.

--------------------
Sarge

Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle!

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Rule303
.416 member

Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4907
Loc: Woodford Qld

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: SafariHunt]
#156389 - 13/03/10 08:47 PM

Quote:

Isn't that the jungle carbine ????

Sure is and they are a beautifully handling rifle. Great in close country and light as well. Many a Water Buffalo has been shot with the 303 in Australia.

John that is a good article. Ruger is to do a limited run of No. 1A's in 303British. I have already booked mine.

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jc5
.300 member

Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 162
Loc: West Coast, USA

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Rule303]
#177206 - 16/03/11 07:37 AM

Who is the author of the article? Am I missing it?

--------------------
Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Rule303]
#177236 - 17/03/11 01:10 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Isn't that the jungle carbine ????

Sure is and they are a beautifully handling rifle. Great in close country and light as well. Many a Water Buffalo has been shot with the 303 in Australia.

John that is a good article. Ruger is to do a limited run of No. 1A's in 303British. I have already booked mine.

and 6.5's.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Freeloader123
.275 member

Reged: 23/07/10
Posts: 86
Loc: Dallas, Texas

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: JabaliHunter]
#177260 - 17/03/11 01:58 PM

Quote:

The .303 - for sportsmen of distinction!

Damn! I bought the wrong rifle. Again!

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PapaScarface
.224 member

Reged: 28/08/15
Posts: 40
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Freeloader123]
#273157 - 13/11/15 03:04 PM

Good article, I have often dreamed of hunting Africa with my 303!

Has anyone in recent times taken a 303 across and blooded it on African game??

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Rule303
.416 member

Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4907
Loc: Woodford Qld

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: PapaScarface]
#273233 - 14/11/15 10:24 PM

The 215grain projectiles are still obtainable and w Woodleigh make a Hydrostatic projectile in that weight. I would like to take one of my 303 to Africa but I doubt that will happen.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: The .303 in Africa [Re: Rule303]
#273254 - 15/11/15 04:10 AM

For those wanting the heavy range of bullets for their .303's, a buddy of mine ordered and purchased a 3-die set from Lee's Custom Shop (under $100.00 at that time) that reduce .8mm bullets to .314" and .312" for his .303's. He has a number of these rifles, P14's, #3's and #4's, including one custom barreled P14 he had me re-barrel to .308 and chamber for the standard .303 round. This rifle easily digests factory .303's without trouble as well as all .308" bullets, from the 150gr. Hornady Interbond which it really likes, up to the 220gr. Hornady.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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