.303 / .312 heads

[bhodge]

I've got a mate who is looking for ammo for his Lee Enfield SMLE. He's also got a No4 mk1*, he uses .311 in this rifle, but he wants to try .312 in the SMLE. Finding some is proving to be a bit of a problem, he's tried all his normal sources but no joy, so does anyone know of an RFD that regularly stocks .303/.312?

[bradaz11]

fmj or lead?

[bhodge]

I haven't asked but I presume he'd prefer FMJ and flat tail, at a push he might try anything. His SMLE barrel slugs at .313, he's also got a #4 mk1* which is fine with .311 heads. Using those in the SMLE gives shotgun type groups.

[TomH]

I haven't asked but I presume he'd prefer FMJ and flat tail, at a push he might try anything. His SMLE barrel slugs at .313, he's also got a #4 mk1* which is fine with .311 heads. Using those in the SMLE gives shotgun type groups.

A brand new barrel would slug at 0.313". Groove depth is 0.005", 0.303 + (0.005 x 2) = 0.313. Assuming his slug wasn't just tight at the muzzle his problem is likely to be elsewhere like a bad crown, eroded throat or bedding which is more complicated than a No4.

But to answer the question, the only jacketed bullets available here that I can think of that are 0.312" are Hornady softpoints (pricey) and flatbase but 0.311" Seller and Beliot 180g softpoints.

[Mike95]

The H and N plated bullets are sized at .312.....not up to fmj standards but good plinkers.

Mike95

[bhodge]

Thanks for the replies guy's, I'll pass that info on.

[bhodge]

To close the thread...
Situation resolved thanks to Mike at Brock & Norris, who had Hornady .303 .312 in stock and posted them to my mate.