Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 A straight forward and easy to answer question - Does anyone use a .303 rifler for stalking and culling with. If yes then what ammunition or do you reload and if so with what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Not me but remember being tempted more than once but went to 30/30 and a levergun. Hope you do it matey.... U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I know the guy at DMC cartridges makes stalking ammo in 303 worth giving him a call he's very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Pete a Mate of mine uses a .303" for deer and he reloads, do you want a recipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 One of the basis guns used in the deer act. Sadly out dated now and nice used ones are very hard to find due to their age. Many SMLE were sporterised in the past for stalking. Its hard for me to say it as I like a lot of the older rounds but its outdated and outclassed by more modern cases, its got to be about 20yrs from the last time I saw one in action on deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I know someone who uses both a 303 Lee Enfield and a K98 Mauser in 7.92x57 for deer stalking.He does say the Mauser in particular is very efficent. Load wise i have no idea-sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I'm not overly interested in getting a .303 for stalking and culling but I have to admit that I know of a Lee Enfield Sporter that is very reasonably priced if I were to want it and in excelent condition. I might think hard about it if it were a practical calibre for stalking and culling with. I fully realise that if I did go down this road I would almost certainly have to reload my own ammunition but I am doing that (And thoroughly enjoying it) anyhow with the .243 and the .222 anyway. I was more interested in finding out if it was a calibre that held any popularity with the stalking fraternity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 One of the basis guns used in the deer act. Sadly out dated now and nice used ones are very hard to find due to their age. Many SMLE were sporterised in the past for stalking. Its hard for me to say it as I like a lot of the older rounds but its outdated and outclassed by more modern cases, its got to be about 20yrs from the last time I saw one in action on deer. Interesting Kent.....how is it outclassed and out dated? I mean how the chuff will a deer tell? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Interesting Kent.....how is it outclassed and out dated? I mean how the chuff will a deer tell? U. Kent, I can understand how it might well be classed as outdated but I don't understand how it is outclassed. For instance, is the .270 or .308 a better rifle or flatter/more accurate round than the .303 or are there other things about it that make it outclassed? I am not asking this to cause any argument, just to help me understand a little more, maybe you could try to explain for me please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hi french one, have you per chance been offered a 303 from a range buddy? go for it, they kill just like any other large cal rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hundreds of thousands of Germans and Japs did`nt think the .303 was outdated or outclassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hundreds of thousands of Germans and Japs did`nt think the .303 was outdated or outclassed. .................. over 60 years ago I think it's good not to follow the crowd BUT is there a reason it fell from popularity or just "fashion"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) The ,303 British is a fabulous stalking round and will cleanly kill any thing you would want to kill in Europe .The calibre is still very popular in Canada . The very first deer that I shot was with with a .303 SMLE and I shot several more deer over the years with the very same gun including some very big Norfolk red stags ,Incidently the gun had iron sights and no optics . The gun belonged to my mentor who Incidently was the best rifle shot I have ever seen ,He was capable of taking deer out to 300 yards with iron sights . I cannot remember ,but I think that we used ex military full metal jacket ammo and we never lost a deer . Expanding bullets are available for the .303 which are .311 . Some people have loaded them with .308 expending and have had great success with this load . A fabulous round and I would have one in an instant . As the old adage goes ,more game has been killed in Africa by the .303 than any other calibre . And more game has been wounded by the .303 than any other calibre . Harnser. Edited November 1, 2013 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hi french one, have you per chance been offered a 303 from a range buddy? go for it, they kill just like any other large cal rifle No mate, not exactly. I have been toying with the idea of going up a little in calibre from my .243 for stalking and culling, with the main thoughts being towards Big Reds and Sikas. I am currently working on a new web site for a very good friend who owns a gun shop and he has a very nice Lee Enfield 303 Sporter that has just come in stock in that I could buy at a very reasonable price. While I have to admit that I am very "taken" with the rifle and it really feels good in my hands and "comes up to my shoulder very comfortably" I do not want to fall into the trap of buying a rifle that isn't really up to or suitable for the job in hand just because it feels and looks good. Basically I want some sound advice that might save me from buying what could be classed as a "pig in a poke"! While I am not going to say where this rifle is at the moment or what price the rifle is I will say that the barrel and throat have been checked and are in perfect condition, as is all of the woodwork.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 No mate, not exactly. I have been toying with the idea of going up a little in calibre from my .243 for stalking and culling, with the main thoughts being towards Big Reds and Sikas. I am currently working on a new web site for a very good friend who owns a gun shop and he has a very nice Lee Enfield 303 Sporter that has just come in stock in that I could buy at a very reasonable price. While I have to admit that I am very "taken" with the rifle and it really feels good in my hands and "comes up to my shoulder very comfortably" I do not want to fall into the trap of buying a rifle that isn't really up to or suitable for the job in hand just because it feels and looks good. Basically I want some sound advice that might save me from buying what could be classed as a "pig in a poke"! While I am not going to say where this rifle is at the moment or what price the rifle is I will say that the barrel and throat have been checked and are in perfect condition, as is all of the woodwork.. I bet you do better with that 303 than anything else, them spoterised Enfields fit like a nice shotgun, things just seem to line up lovely! The ,303 British is a fabulous stalking round and will cleanly kill any thing you would want to kill in Europe .The calibre is still very popular in Canada . The very first deer that I shot was with with a .303 SMLE and I shot several more deer over the years with the very same gun including some very big Norfolk red stags ,Incidently the gun had iron sights and no optics . The gun belonged to my mentor who Incidently was the best rifle shot I have ever seen ,He was capable of taking deer out to 300 yards with iron sights . I cannot remember ,but I think that we used ex military full metal jacket ammo and we never lost a deer . Expanding bullets are available for the .303 which are .311 . Some people have loaded them with .308 expending and have had great success with this load . A fabulous round and I would have one in an instant . As the old adage goes ,more game has been killed in Africa by the .303 than any other calibre . And more game has been wounded by the .303 than any other calibre . Harnser. Excellent B) U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 No mate, not exactly. I have been toying with the idea of going up a little in calibre from my .243 for stalking and culling, with the main thoughts being towards Big Reds and Sikas. I am currently working on a new web site for a very good friend who owns a gun shop and he has a very nice Lee Enfield 303 Sporter that has just come in stock in that I could buy at a very reasonable price. While I have to admit that I am very "taken" with the rifle and it really feels good in my hands and "comes up to my shoulder very comfortably" I do not want to fall into the trap of buying a rifle that isn't really up to or suitable for the job in hand just because it feels and looks good. Basically I want some sound advice that might save me from buying what could be classed as a "pig in a poke"! While I am not going to say where this rifle is at the moment or what price the rifle is I will say that the barrel and throat have been checked and are in perfect condition, as is all of the woodwork.. mate just buy it, you won't be disappointed, they are a lovely gun, a little quirky compared to some modern stuff but that isn't a bad thing, they're easy on the shoulder, and the bottom line is they were designed to kill stuff, big stuff, they are perfectly capable to do what you need. I remember when i used to frequent horsford range, a friend of mine has a swiss mauser, 7.5x55 straight pull, a really beautiful gun, and i was so tempted to put in a 141 with the swede, if i was more into the deer scene then i would have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 .303 has killed bazilions of deer and will be just as effective now as ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 .................. over 60 years ago I think it's good not to follow the crowd BUT is there a reason it fell from popularity or just "fashion"? Yes-its an old fashioned rimmed cartridge and can be a pain to feed if not loaded into the magazine correctly with a stripper clip (i have an Enfield so know this!).There are also much faster calibres,but it dont make the 303 any less capable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Kent, I can understand how it might well be classed as outdated but I don't understand how it is outclassed. For instance, is the .270 or .308 a better rifle or flatter/more accurate round than the .303 or are there other things about it that make it outclassed? I am not asking this to cause any argument, just to help me understand a little more, maybe you could try to explain for me please? Case design really. It will kill deer all day long but look at a modern case like a .308 win, smaller and more capable with better feeding and most importantly Brass is available from practically every manufacturer as are guns, bullets of the perfect size and type over the counter. Now if it brought something extra to the table like some older chamberings still do .375 H+H, .22 Hornet even the aging but more modern rim design of 30-06 and 6.5x 55 cases ............. The 30-30 is unique and brings something to the table especially for a woodland stalker. However what does the .303 bring to the table as a deer rifle? hence out dated and outclassed, nothing wrong with being old if you can do something the new guys cannot thing is it cannot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Yes-its an old fashioned rimmed cartridge and can be a pain to feed if not loaded into the magazine correctly with a stripper clip (i have an Enfield so know this!).There are also much faster calibres,but it dont make the 303 any less capable. I didn't say it was any less capable, it's still a fair old lump of "lead" flying around - just food for thought if someone were looking at buying one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgun sam Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I have a SMLE vintage 1917 that is conditioned for roe as my 308 was to much gun for roe figure that one out. I use 41 grains of vit n140 with a 150 soft point it works a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I have a SMLE vintage 1917 that is conditioned for roe as my 308 was to much gun for roe figure that one out. I use 41 grains of vit n140 with a 150 soft point it works a treat. Interesting - That's about all i can say about that one mate! That load does sound interesting, roughly what sort of speed do you think you are getting out of it please? I have to admit that I would be interested in seeing what a .303 with that sort of load does to a fox! A little bit of "Overkill" maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Interesting - That's about all i can say about that one mate! That load does sound interesting, roughly what sort of speed do you think you are getting out of it please? I have to admit that I would be interested in seeing what a .303 with that sort of load does to a fox! A little bit of "Overkill" maybe? I would hazard a guess at about 2400 feet per second . All the power in the world for any deer with a 150 grain bullet. Incidently only 4 grains of the same powder less than I use for 150 grain .308 . Harnser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Frenchie ....overkill does not exist matey. Found this recently. http://levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51046&sid=3674149c0e8e285d34aeb8b59a6782ca Kent sir.....it brings to it's owners table joy and satisfaction....could that not be enough? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Frenchie ....overkill does not exist matey. Found this recently. http://levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51046&sid=3674149c0e8e285d34aeb8b59a6782ca Kent sir.....it brings to it's owners table joy and satisfaction....could that not be enough? U. The "Overkill" comment was made somewhat tongue in cheek, as I am sure you realised. I have never understood the meaning of the word "overkill" in shooting. How can you overkill something, you kill it and it is dead - End of story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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