(Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various
Powders.)
Bullet is .311″ diameter. Some people use the standard 30 caliber bullets (.308″ dia) and it will work, but not well. I don’t recommend it. Much better accuracy and performance can be obtained by using the .311″ jacketed or .312″ 7.62x 39 Russian. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
MAXIMUM LOADS – – DO NOT EXCEED — Start 10% less
123-125 grain Speer (125 Spitzer SP & 123 FMJ)
| IMR 4895 | 45.0 gr. | 2,840 FPS |
| H380 | 48.0 gr. | 2,700 |
| Reloader 15 | 46.0 gr. | 2,788 |
| AA2230 | 43.0 gr. | 2,790 |
150 grain JSP
| IMR 4895 | 42.0 gr. | 2,594 FPS |
| H4895 | 42.0 gr. | 2,479 |
| H450 | 50.0 gr. | 2,306 |
| H414 | 48.0 gr. | 2,482 |
| H380 | 44.0 gr. | 2,443 |
| A2230 | 43.0 gr. | 2,704 |
| A2495 | 46.0 gr. | 2,727 |
| A2700 | 48.0 gr. | 2,561 |
| IMR 4064 | 43.0 gr. | 2,554 |
180 grain JSP
| IMR 4895 | 40.0 gr. | 2,320 FPS |
| H4895 | 40.0 gr. | 2,295 |
| H450 | 50.0 gr. | 2,281 |
| H414 | 46.0 gr. | 2,304 |
| H380 | 42.0 gr. | 2,276 |
| A2015 | 38.0 gr. | 2,420 |
| A2495 | 44.0 gr. | 2,478 |
| A3100 | 46.0 gr. | 2,024 |
| IMR 4064 | 40.0 gr. | 2,283 |
180 grain LEAD
| A2230 | 39.0 gr. | 2,459 |
| A2495 | 44.0 gr. | 2,529 |
| A3100 | 46.0 gr. | 2,063 |
Discussion: If full power loads are used in the .303, the cases will not last very long. With reduced loads, they will last a fairly long time.
The .303 was originally adopted in the late 1880’s and lasted untill it was replaced in 1957 by the 7.62 mm Nato round. It started out propelled by black powder and later replaced with smokeless. It had similar speeds as the 30-40 Krag.
* #2400, Reloader 7, 11, 12, and 15 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. H380, H414, H450, H4350 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder
Company. A2230, A2495, A2700, A3100, A2015 and A2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 680, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company,reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.
