303 British

[Ploddy Paul]

Why is the 303 cartridge known as the 303 British? I’ve never seen another listed but has there been one and British was added to separate them? Thanks Paul

 

[gixer1]

Here you go -

Why is .303 British called “.303 British” if they use the metric system in the UK?

Answer (1 of 8): The Lee Enfield rifles used .303 bullets, and the rifle was used in it’s various forms from 1895 until the early 1960’s … the Bren Gun also used the same ammunition. However, the British sub-machine gun, the Sten, was manufactured to use 9x19mm ammo. partly because many were drop...

www.quora.com

 

[Rhodesianjess]

There was a 303 Savage too, discontinued about WW2 time I think. Bottleneck case and used in lever action rifles.

 

[Laurie]

I’ve never seen another listed but has there been one and British was added to separate them?

Americans of some generations ago were much more familiar with the .303 Savage, a smaller homegrown rimmed design dating from 1894 and a competitor to the much more successful 30-30WCF. Ironically, it wasn't a '303' as it used 0.308 diameter bullets.

.303 Savage - Wikipedia

Our 303 was unknown to most Americans until well after WW2 when surplus military rifles were imported in large numbers.

As the US dominates civilian recreational shooting manufacturing, shooting books, reloading kit, data and manuals etc, their regulators and gunwriters tacked the word 'British' onto our version to differentiate it from the domestic cartridge. Today, the situation has reversed with the old Savage long gone and it and its rifles collectors pieces, and far more of 'our' .303s in use. The 303 Savage was still covered by some American reloading manuals as late as the 80s, and there are a few in this country.

 

[Ploddy Paul]

Thanks for the replies, nice bit of history and now I know. Paul

 

[Klenchblaize]

As an aside, anyone using the “7.7 Jap” for deer in a sporting rifle as distinct from military configuration?


K

 

[enfieldspares]

There's also a .303 Magnum which is like a .280 Ross but with the same bullet used in the Mk VII .303 at .311" and 174 grains. This was a rimless cartridge designed for sporting purposes. There was also a more powerful .303 designed for a modified Lewis Gun. And then of course the .303 Adder. And then some.

.303 Magnum - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

303 SEMI RIMMED “LEWIS” | Cartridge Collector

cartridgecollector.net

303 MID RANGE (ADDER) - Cartridge Collector

By Birmingham Metals & Munitions Company. The name ADDER is in all probability derived from Adderley Park Mills in Birmingham where it was manufactured. It is not a shortened 303 British as the dimension are smaller than the 303 case

cartridgecollector.net

The Other .303 Cartridges

I reckon that one of our Australian friends will be able to tell us all about the necked down variations .303/.25 of which, years ago, I actually owned a SMLE in such chambering. Plus the .303/.270 and etc..



And our Canadian friends the .303 Epps of Ellwood Epps's creation.

Overrated .303 Epps

.303 Brit L & R, .303 Epps centre Q: I have been so impressed with data on the internet which shows some astounding velocities for the .303 Epps that I've decided to have a rifle built in this calibre. I obtained an M17 Enfield rifle, a Walther barrel and a laminate stock for this project. What...

sportingshooter.com.au