PAYDIRT!!! - The Firearms Forum

JLA · 03-13-2007, 05:01 PM

for those of us who enjoy our SMLE rifles, i have hit a very very consistent load. my rifle is a SMLE mk.1 no.4, mfg. date 10/47 (post-war), my barrel slug mikes a shade over .311 and i use sierra 180 pro-hunter bullets for hunting and target practice... the load consists of 43 gr. accurate 2520 over a CCI 250 primer, in a remington case trimmed to 2.212", i resize just to the leading edge of the fireformed shoulder, being careful not to move the shoulder. bullets are seated to 3.075" oal. these will feed properly from the enfields magazine. #s are as follows... 2527.2 fps. avg. velocity(10 ft. from the muzzle) 2552 ft. lb. muzzle energy, 2.8" high at 100 yds.(200 yd. zero), extreme spread is 23, and standard deviation is 7.6, no signs of excessive pressure, and a very clean burn. i hope someone might find this load as satisfying as i have. be careful, and be safe...

Popgunner · 03-14-2007, 09:30 PM

I have the same #4 MK1 rifle & that load may come in handy. I've got the 180 gr prohunters already. Neck sizing the .303 seems to be the way to go, being careful not to upset the bulged-out shoulder. Brass tends to last more than a few loadings that way. I've had Winchester brass crack on the second re-load when the cases are totaly ful-length re-sized. I think I got a bad run of brass. In the one bag of 50 cases there were three cases that were totaly misformed/mangled at the mouth. I'm gonna send those back to Winchester along with the bag so they can fine tune their quality control.

I've been itching to head out to the rifle range & spend a few hours testing loads. The weather here in Utah has been perfect the last couple of days with about 74 degrees

jack404 · 01-24-2012, 06:29 PM

i'm blessed with a goodly supply of mil ball , but i'll note it down in case one day ..

cheers !

myfriendis410 · 01-25-2012, 09:43 AM

What kind of groups are you getting?

JLA · 01-25-2012, 10:20 PM

Was getting 2 MOA avg with the factory sights.

I never scoped that rifle.

Kieran McCaig · 01-25-2012, 11:19 PM

JLA came across a long branch edition mk4 in .308 2 weeks back.

JLA · 01-26-2012, 07:59 AM

Those are rare as hens teeth in these parts. I figure thay are fairly common up your neck of the woods eh Kieran. BTW, good to see you back here.

03-13-2007, 05:01 PM	#1
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	PAYDIRT!!! for those of us who enjoy our SMLE rifles, i have hit a very very consistent load. my rifle is a SMLE mk.1 no.4, mfg. date 10/47 (post-war), my barrel slug mikes a shade over .311 and i use sierra 180 pro-hunter bullets for hunting and target practice... the load consists of 43 gr. accurate 2520 over a CCI 250 primer, in a remington case trimmed to 2.212", i resize just to the leading edge of the fireformed shoulder, being careful not to move the shoulder. bullets are seated to 3.075" oal. these will feed properly from the enfields magazine. #s are as follows... 2527.2 fps. avg. velocity(10 ft. from the muzzle) 2552 ft. lb. muzzle energy, 2.8" high at 100 yds.(200 yd. zero), extreme spread is 23, and standard deviation is 7.6, no signs of excessive pressure, and a very clean burn. i hope someone might find this load as satisfying as i have. be careful, and be safe... --> Last edited by JLA; 03-14-2007 at 05:17 PM.. Reason: to be more specific

03-14-2007, 09:30 PM	#2
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: PAYDIRT!!! I have the same #4 MK1 rifle & that load may come in handy. I've got the 180 gr prohunters already. Neck sizing the .303 seems to be the way to go, being careful not to upset the bulged-out shoulder. Brass tends to last more than a few loadings that way. I've had Winchester brass crack on the second re-load when the cases are totaly ful-length re-sized. I think I got a bad run of brass. In the one bag of 50 cases there were three cases that were totaly misformed/mangled at the mouth. I'm gonna send those back to Winchester along with the bag so they can fine tune their quality control. I've been itching to head out to the rifle range & spend a few hours testing loads. The weather here in Utah has been perfect the last couple of days with about 74 degrees

01-24-2012, 06:29 PM	#3
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: PAYDIRT!!! i'm blessed with a goodly supply of mil ball , but i'll note it down in case one day .. cheers !

01-25-2012, 10:20 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: PAYDIRT!!! Was getting 2 MOA avg with the factory sights. I never scoped that rifle. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-25-2012, 11:19 PM	#6
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	Re: PAYDIRT!!! JLA came across a long branch edition mk4 in .308 2 weeks back. __________________ My 2 cents worth is only.183 with exc hange.

01-25-2012, 09:43 AM	#4
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 552	Re: PAYDIRT!!! What kind of groups are you getting? __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

01-26-2012, 07:59 AM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: PAYDIRT!!! Those are rare as hens teeth in these parts. I figure thay are fairly common up your neck of the woods eh Kieran. BTW, good to see you back here. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!