Manual

The Lee-Enfield Ballistics

In 1892, the .303 British cartridge was loaded with 70 grains of

black powder and had a 215 grain round nose bullet with a muzzle

velocity of 1850 fps. Muzzle energy was 1640 fp. By 19 14, with a

smokeless powder loading and a 174 grain pointed bullet, the

velocity moved up to 2440 fps. This was the Mk. VII round and was

still in use when the .303 was discontinued.

Used extensively in Africa, Canada and India by the military, govern-

ment, workers and settlers, the

.303

cartridge suffered from a bad

reputation due to the use of the military full metal jacketed pointed

bullets. When sporting ammunition became available, the .303

became a reliable cartridge for lighter non-dangerous game. Jacketed

ammunition has a bullet diameter of

inch. Cast lead bullets can

12 inch or even

13 inch.

The .30-40 Krag was the cartridge by which the

.303

was judged

early in its life. The .303 had a slight edge over the .30-40 and later

could take chamber pressures of 50,000 psi. The

Enfield

Mk. 4 has

been successfully converted to

.308

Winchester (7.62 NATO). The

British

.303

is now compared with the more powerful

.308

Winchester and the

.303

has found its niche in the American market.

Plentiful stocks of rifles and ammunition have assured it a place for

many years to come.

.303

British

Max. Case Length: 2.222” Trim-To Length 2.212” Max. Overall

Length: 3.075” Primer

Size: Large Rifle

Bullet Diameter: