303 British vs 308 Winchester

[Annihilator]

Interesting read on the 303 British vs the 308 Winchester…… good read

303 British vs 308 Winchester - The Shooter's Log

We compare 303 British vs 308 Winchester. What separates the two rifle calibers from each other and which is better for how you shoot?

blog.cheaperthandirt.com

 

[Jsimon78]

Good read. Honestly .303 started with regular gun power before coronate (my spelling is bad) then smokeless powder. I have a 1917 Enfield and Ruger chambered in .308. Personally I like the .303 a little bit better.

 

[Belt Fed]

I can tell ya which one is cheaper to shoot.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Im a fan of 303 but its not exactly a cartridge you can just pick up in any "hardware store"

 

[Jsimon78]

I can tell ya which one is cheaper to shoot.

About the same price where I’m at.

Im a fan of 303 but its not exactly a cartridge you can just pick up in any "hardware store"

Yeah special ordering it is fun.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Ive got a Martini in 303 and a Lee Enfield made to look like a Lee Speed (the gun John Patterson used on the Lions in Tasvo).

 

[Pitdogg2]

Good read. Honestly .303 started with regular gun power before coronate (my spelling is bad) then smokeless powder. I have a 1917 Enfield and Ruger chambered in .308. Personally I like the .303 a little bit better.

You trying to refer to Cordite?
All good until you're in the jungle and it melts....

 

[PieterCoetzee]

You trying to refer to Cordite?
All good until you're in the jungle and it melts....

Wow I never heard about it melting. Back in the day I cut a live 303 round in half with a pipe cutter (not my brightest idea), so I could make a cool pointer with the halves on each end of a nice piece of bamboo. I was surprised to find the case filled with what looked like uncooked spaghetti.

 

[Jsimon78]

You trying to refer to Cordite?
All good until you're in the jungle and it melts....

I knew it was something but my mind wiped that choke board clean.

I know it didn’t last long till they went to smokeless power.

 

[Pitdogg2]

Wow I never heard about it melting. Back in the day I cut a live 303 round in half with a pipe cutter (not my brightest idea), so I could make a cool pointer with the halves on each end of a nice piece of bamboo. I was surprised to find the case filled with what looked like uncooked spaghetti.

Yep that is Vaseline basically. The British found out the hard way in India or one of the crowns other tropical locations, it melted and was very problematic. I'm not 100% sure. It was something I read in Soldier of Fortune or one of my other gun mag subscriptions about 20 some years ago. Depending on which formula the cordite is made from some were very corrosive. Hot soapy water cleaning after use is highly advised. Regular cleaning products do not work according to those that have experience with corrosive ammo.

 

[ECS686]

I remember the market was flooded in the 80’s woth 303 rifles and ammo. I like it for the history of it.

While a 307 makes sense due to cost and availability as far as performance unless one is shooting completion or game past 400 yards I’m not convinced there’s enough of a difference to make a difference. 100 or so FPS difference at 2,600-2,800 FPS hit for hit both are gonna leave a mark.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Regular cleaning products do not work according to those that have experience with corrosive ammo.

I use the Hot soapy water too but I have had success with Windex as a quick solution if I dont have time to properly clean everything immediately after a shooting session

 

[3L120]

Yep that is Vaseline basically. The British found out the hard way in India or one of the crowns other tropical locations, it melted and was very problematic. I'm not 100% sure. It was something I read in Soldier of Fortune or one of my other gun mag subscriptions about 20 some years ago. Depending on which formula the cordite is made from some were very corrosive. Hot soapy water cleaning after use is highly advised. Regular cleaning products do not work according to those that have experience with corrosive ammo.

Cordites both CORROSIVE and EROSIVE.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

CORROSIVE and EROSIVE.

youre gonna have to explain that one to me

 

[3L120]

youre gonna have to explain that one to me

The corrosive part is the salts in the primer…erosive part is that cordite burns very hot and can abrade the barrel and chamber.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

The corrosive part is the salts in the primer…erosive part is that cordite burns very hot and can abrade the barrel and chamber.

Thanks I knew about the prime salts but not the other. Good to know