What the French Toast sticks is a .30-.303 or .303/30?!!?

[Doyled96]

Some of you may know by now I have an affinity for the .303 British and the .275 Rigby(7x57 Mauser). After doing more research on a load I want to try for my Brit I came across a .30-.303. But that is it, other than 1 guy who built one I really cannot find anything else on it. My assumption is its a .303 case necked down to a .308 bullet? Just like the 25/.303 is the .25 caliber projectile. Any information is greatly appreciated as always you guys are great!

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Its exactly what it’s sounds like, a 308” calibre barrel on a 303 action, they were built a while ago as decent .311-312" bullets were hard to find for a bit. Any reasonably competent gunsmith could grind down the neck on a reamer to make it. Much the same as the 7.62x39 rifles that have .308“ barrels fitted. In some ways more practical, you just reload cartridges as normal but with .308“ projectiles
gumpy

 

[Doyled96]

Its exactly what it’s sounds like, a 308” calibre barrel on a 303 action, they were built a while ago as decent .311-312" bullets were hard to find for a bit. Any reasonably competent gunsmith could grind down the neck on a reamer to make it. Much the same as the 7.62x39 rifles that have .308“ barrels fitted. In some ways more practical, you just reload cartridges as normal but with .308“ projectiles
gumpy

So is .003 of an inch worth getting a whole new barrel for?

 

[matt85]

Same problem with Italian surplus guns from WWII. The Italians used .268" for their 6.5mm cartridge, while the norm is .264". This leads to pretty terrible accuracy when attempting to use Italian surplus rifles with modern bullets.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

When these mods were done, yes it was, also a lot of places wouldn’t allow military calibre firearms for civilian, hence the range of 22/243/25/270/30/35/338-303 cartridges, and weird work arounds like the 7.7x54. The 7.62x39 to 30 cal was a lack of decent hunting projectiles, except for ruger who chambered a x39' in 308
gumpy

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Same problem with Italian surplus guns from WWII. The Italians used .268" for their 6.5mm cartridge, while the norm is .264". This leads to pretty terrible accuracy when attempting to use Italian surplus rifles with modern bullets.

My gunsmith friend has the modified reamer for the .264 calibre cacarno. This oddball size issue is with lots of different chamberings such as the 275H&H and the 280 nitro/280ross/280halger magnum. If you can’t get the correct projectiles you fix the issue however you can if you want to keep shooting the rifle
gumpy

 

[ZG47]

So is .003 of an inch worth getting a whole new barrel for?

 

[ZG47]

Normally it would be a retired target barrel. Din Collings RIP was, at one stage, taking retired target barrels that were no longer good for the Seddon Range at Trentham and rechambering them for .30-40 Krag so that people could continue using their old Lee Enfield hunting rifles.

 

[matt85]

My gunsmith friend has the modified reamer for the .264 calibre cacarno. This oddball size issue is with lots of different chamberings such as the 275H&H and the 280 nitro/280ross/280halger magnum. If you can’t get the correct projectiles you fix the issue however you can if you want to keep shooting the rifle
gumpy

I found a bunch of surplus Italian 6.5mm ammunition that I refurbish. I also found some PPU .268" bullets but haven't tried them yet.

 

[csmiffy]

considering there is an absolute metric crapton of available 30 cal bullets compared to what is offered in 303 than if you have the pockets and the desire it is a sound one. NOS barrels are getting rare and any other barrels are the same price as any other so using a preloved take off is a great idea

 

[rdog]

considering there is an absolute metric crapton of available 30 cal bullets compared to what is offered in 303 than if you have the pockets and the desire it is a sound one. NOS barrels are getting rare and any other barrels are the same price as any other so using a preloved take off is a great idea

A man in Canada has or had a web site called 303 British, & had a business building 308 / 303 & a improved version called 303 Epps or something like that, old Bob 35 whelen should know all about it.

 

[ZG47]

A man in Canada has or had a web site called 303 British, & had a business building 308 / 303 & a improved version called 303 Epps or something like that, old Bob 35 whelen should know all about it.

His name was Ellwood Epps, I believe. The business was reportedly still going, a few years back. The Epps Improved .303 has a good reputation. Mostly used with the P14 but a good unissued--or barely used--No. 4 action might be a practicable option. A 'Siamese', actually 'Royal Thai' Mauser action could also be an action.
N.B. The Kingdom of Siam absorbed a neighboring kingdom in the 19th century in order to be large and powerful enough NOT to be colonized. The merged kingdom was named--in English--Thailand.

 

[V.Veritas]

EPPS, Orillia, Ontario, Canada

Ellwood Epps Sporting Goods

Online shopping in Canada for hunting supplies, new and used firearms and bows, rare gun parts and obsolete ammunition. A great selection of fishing, camping and shooting supplies in our Orillia stores, north of Barrie, Ontario.

ellwoodepps.com

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

One of the posts somewhere on here said Epps stole the idea from another gun, from New Zealand I believe.
gumpy

 

[rdog]

Try 303british.com a Canadian site all about the 303 & its wildcats