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just thought I'd give an update of what has transpired in regard to my No 1 in 303 Brit. I started this thread after picking up my 303 and found the more the rifle was looked at, the more disappointed with its quality I became. I must admit that I really don't know how well it shoots because since I picked it up last November, I've fired only 5 shots with it. This is due to the completely "pissed off " effect and seeing how many were turning up for sale, I knew that being able to sell it and recover my money won't happen.
Then there was a little ray of hope when I saw that RULE303 had sent his back because the bore in his measured .315". Out to the safe I go and after doing a cast at muzzle and breech, mine turns out to be 315' too. So with high hopes mine is sent back to the importer here in Oz but in just a few weeks the gunshop rings and informs me it is back and I can pick it up. The importer says the bore is "within spec". A note at the bottom of the same letter states that "Ruger designed these rifles based on the the original 303 rifles which had a bore diameter of between 0.314 & 0.316 ".
So not only do I own a new rifle with poor fitting timber, finger prints in the stock finish and metal parts that should fit better, but also with a bore that is at least 3 thou. over any jacketed projectiles I can buy over the counter. I find it hard to believe that Ruger would dimension their barrels based on "original 303 rifles" when all the ammo available uses 0.312" pills ! As we all know these rifle were made in 2010. All modern 303 ammo uses 0.312 or even 0.311 projectiles so for the life of me I can't figure out, if its true, why that would make barrels at 0.315 or maybe even 0.316" !! To me a barrel this much over size is 3/4 worn out to start with. I don't mind playing around with oversize bullets to get a vintage rifle to shoot, thats part of the game, but its a bit rich to have to do it with a factory new one.
Anyway thats were I am at the moment, paid the money in good faith and ended up with a very suspect product that I believe will sit at the back of the safe for quite some time.

Regards,
Ron.

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That's really surprising and a bit alarming. I thought we have international standards these days!

I'm not an expert on the original specs for the .303, but I know it originally was loaded for compressed black powder. Not surprised the grooves were a little deep to accommodate the fouling. Is Ruger supplying .303 ammo with compressed BP? If they are sticking to original specs for the rifle they should for the ammo too!

Too bad.

Curl

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