Comparing Commercial
.303 British Ammunition
Hornady, Remington, Winchester, Sellier & Bellot, Prvi Partisan, Wolf and Federal
Caliber .303 British Ammo
by Timothy P. Banse
The venerable .303 British cartridge lives on
in spite of military surplus ammo
having nearly dried up.
The .303 British Mk VIIz (and later Mk VIIIz) rounds were loaded with 41 grains (2.66 g) of Dupont No. 16 single-base smokeless powder, based on nitrocellulose flake-shaped propellants. The nitrocellulose versions, first introduced in World War I, were designated with a "Z" postfix with a bullet weight of 175 grains (11.34 g).
Most bottleneck rimmed cartridges from the late 1880s and 1890 fell into disuse by the end of the First World War. The .303 British is one of a handful of bottlenecked, rimmed centerfire rifle cartridges still in common use today (.22 Hornet, .30-30 Winchester and 7.62×54R).
Here's what's available in commercial ammo
detailed by bullet weight, type and velocity.
| Manufacturer | Bullet type | Bullet weight (grains) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft.lbs.) | Case type | Primer type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Soft Point | 150 | 2690 | 2410 | Brass | Boxer |
| Sellier & Bellot | Soft Point | 150 | 2654 | 2347 | Brass | Boxer |
| Hornady | Soft Point | 150 | 2685 | 2401 | Brass | Boxer |
| Wolf | Soft Point | 150 | 2690 | 2410 | Brass | Boxer |
| Wolf | FMJ | 174 | 2461 | 2340 | Brass | Boxer |
| Remington | FMJ | 174 | 2475 | 2366 | Brass | Boxer |
| Hornady | FMJ | 174 | 2430 | 2281 | Brass | Boxer |
| Military MK VIIZ | FMJ | 174 | 2440 | Brass | Berdan | |
| Prvi Partizan | FMJ | 174 | 2460 | 2435 | Brass | Boxer |
| Remington | Soft Point | 180 | 2460 | 2618 | Brass | Boxer |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ | 180 | 2438 | 2382 | Brass | Boxer |
| Prvi Partizan | Soft Point | 180 | 2460 | 2426 | Brass | Boxer |
| Winchester | Power Point | 180 | 2460 | 2418 | Brass | Boxer |
| Federal | Soft Point | 180 | 2460 | 2418 | Brass | Boxer |
U.S. Army
Ammunition Data Sheets
A Directory Of
Small Caliber Military Ammunition
This comprehensive reference manual identifies small arms ammunition used by the U.S military from .22 caliber through 30mm including shot shells. Each identification sheet illustrates the cartridge and provides specifications and performance data. Coverage includes: .410 bore, 12 gauge, 10-gauge, .22 Long Rifle, 30 Carbine, 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO, .30-06 Springfield, 50 Browning, 14.5mm, 20 mm, 25mm, 30mm, .32 ACP, 38 Special, 9mm NATO, & .45 ACP.
Published in large format (8 X 10).
Book Details
Language: EnglishTrade Paperback: 213 pages
ISBN 978-0934523-19-6
Large Format - 8.5 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
