The Australian .303 Wildcats (.22,.243,.25,.27-303, etc)

[User00040]

A phenomenon many on here may never of heard of, but I'm sure our brethren in the Southern Hemisphere will have, especially due to their undying love for Lee-Enfields!

Import restrictions in post-war Australia meant sporting rifles and their respective cartridges were not readily attainable. However, the ingenuity of local gunsmiths combined with surplus .303's meant a blossoming industry of locally produced wildcats based on the rimmed .303 British case and respective Lee Enfield actions which were duly sporterised.

I don't know how many of such rifles are still in use, but it seems that the pro shooters were quick to start reloading due to dies,powder, primers and projectiles being produced locally to a high standard.

I suspect that the difficulty of getting a necked-down, rimmed case to work well in different rifles which may of had varying chamber dimensions meant that commercial sporting rifles from the USA and UK took over once they were allowed in, but these eyebrow raising wildcats had their time in the sun...







Info and pictures stolen from: Australian 303/22 cartridges

 

[User00040]

Surprising that the rear aperture peep sight was often removed along with stripper clip guides.

Scope mounting was soon to follow.

 

[Heym SR20]

I am surprised that some of these never got more attention in the UK, but the UK never had much demand for rifles on the domestic side. In Africa everybody just used the 303, although I think some of the South African gunsmiths did neck down the 303. In Australia was there a prohibition on using the 303 in its original form - ie because it was a military calibre.

 

[NP435]

Very interesting!

 

[SpikeD]

Well if you're after actual example of rifles in the UK the Bullet Cache in Hythe a .303/30 and .303/25 at prices much keener than a SMLE or No4 these days

Guns For Sale | My Site

www.thebulletcache.co.uk

I have an old ICI loading brochure from 1970 that listed loading data for the .303/22, the .303/25 & .303/270 though with a warning to reduce powder charges by 3 grains for Lee Enfield actions so there must have been sufficient interest back then for them to develop loads.

 

[Dalua]

Surprising that the rear aperture peep sight was often removed along with stripper clip guides.

Not sure about the stripper-clip guides, but is it possible that these are converted SMLEs, rather than No4s?

In Australia was there a prohibition on using the 303 in its original form - ie because it was a military calibre.

This is a surprise: when was that prohibition passed? I'd have thought they'd have wanted civilian folk to be able to use/practice with the standard service cartridge, in the '40s and '50s at least.

 

[John Gryphon]

In Australia was there a prohibition on using the 303 in its original form

Nah didnt happen afaik..there were and still are lots of "three oh`s" about.

 

[User00040]

Nah didnt happen afaik..there were and still are lots of "three oh`s" about.

I think he is confusing Oz with France. Somehow!

 

[alberta boy]

The 25/303 was a fairly popular cartridge around here at one time . Ellwood Epps chambered his rifles in it , along with the 303 Epps and 35/303 cartridges . Still very useful hunting rounds in extremely reliable actions , both the Enfield and Lee Enfield based sporters .

AB

 

[Pedro]

Not sure about the stripper-clip guides, but is it possible that these are converted SMLEs, rather than No4s?

This is a surprise: when was that prohibition passed? I'd have thought they'd have wanted civilian folk to be able to use/practice with the standard service cartridge, in the '40s and '50s at least.

Quite possible. The No4 was never made in Australia I believe, they just kept making SMLEs. Although I bet a good few migrated there.

 

[SamHuntVic]

I have both of those. No good posting a pic of the 303/25 as it looks just like my .303. I load the Speer .25 Hot Cor. It's good to shoot but being so old the accuracy is not one ragged hole stuff but I'd say 4" at 100m. No doubt a bit of load development would fix that a bit but it's not worthwhile for me. I have a few rounds left of the old Super brand in 100gr and 87gr.
Works very well on Fallow but not Sambar legal here in Victoria.
Grant.

 

[harrygrey382]

I think the popularity of cartridges like the 303-25 was a desire for a flatter shooting cartridge along with an abundance of SMLEs, nothing more complex. Although reduced recoil wouldn’t have been minded to help with accuracy at a guess too. Most of the wildcats have died off leaving a fair few 303s still kicking though.

Quite possible. The No4 was never made in Australia I believe, they just kept making SMLEs. Although I bet a good few migrated there.

Yeah heaps and heaps of No4s were brought in and sporterised by “Sportco”

 

[User00040]

I think the popularity of cartridges like the 303-25 was a desire for a flatter shooting cartridge along with an abundance of SMLEs, nothing more complex. Although reduced recoil wouldn’t have been minded to help with accuracy at a guess too. Most of the wildcats have died off leaving a fair few 303s still kicking though.

Yeah heaps and heaps of No4s were brought in and sporterised by “Sportco”

I assume the fox pelt market also necessitated smaller caliber rifles?

Interesting times for sure!

 

[SikaSolutions]

I've got one converted to .22 Hornet made at Lithgow for Slazengers Pty Ltd at the end of WW2.
Cracking light weight rifle! Shoots well over open sights. Can carry it all day.....

 

[User00040]

I've got one converted to .22 Hornet made at Lithgow for Slazengers Pty Ltd at the end of WW2.
Cracking light weight rifle! Shoots well over open sights. Can carry it all day.....

Any pics to share?

Very interested to see what work (if any) was carried out on the magazine to ensure good feeding.

Cheers!

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

I've got one converted to .22 Hornet made at Lithgow for Slazengers Pty Ltd at the end of WW2.
Cracking light weight rifle! Shoots well over open sights. Can carry it all day.....

One of the reasons I’m tempted by a .22 K Hornet is that it looks very much like a .303 ‘Mini-Me’!

 

[User00040]

Interesting document here from Oz Police about Lithgow made conversions: https://www.acic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/ACIC - LSAFM - Lithgow Sporting Rifles Guide.pdf

 

[Klenchblaize]

Now that is a funky looking cartridge:

K

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Fascinating thread !

 

[User00040]

Now that is a funky looking cartridge:
View attachment 214442
K

Soon to be re-birthed as .22KB?