.303 British

01 / At a glance

The basics

Origin

United Kingdom

Introduced

1889

Ignition

Centerfire

Case form

Rimmed, bottleneck

Diameter

7.9 mm

Case length

56.4 mm

Rounded values to help you identify the cartridge, not manufacturing drawings. See the cited standard for exact dimensions and tolerances.

A short history

The cartridge entered service in December 1888 for the Lee-Metford rifle, which replaced the Martini-Henry. It first used black powder. Smokeless powder arrived in 1891, and cordite was selected for the Mk II load. The Lee-Enfield followed in 1895 and kept the cartridge for decades.

The Mk VII load of 1910 used a 174 grain flat-base pointed bullet with 37 grains of Cordite MDT 5-2, at about 2,440 ft/s. In 1938 the Vickers machine gun began to use the Mk VIIIz streamline load, and the Bren gun was proofed at 50,000 psi for that load. The long service life gave the cartridge a huge production run and a large surplus supply.

The case is rimmed and bottlenecked, with a case length of 2.222 inches (56.4 mm) and an overall length of 3.075 inches (78.1 mm). The nominal .303 inch is measured between the lands. The recommended bullet diameter is .312 inch, and the bore measures about .311 inch between the grooves.

Britain and its allies issued the cartridge for so long that rifles in .303 British turn up around the world. That spread is why the cartridge is still loaded commercially today, and why hunters use it in places where old Lee-Enfield rifles are still common.

The name deserves a note, because it confuses new shooters. The .303 inch measures the barrel between the lands, not the bullet. The bullet itself is about .312 inch, and the groove diameter of a sound barrel is about .311 inch. A shooter who orders .303 inch bullets will find that they are too small. The correct bullet is the .311 or .312 inch size sold for the .303 British.

Rifles and ammunition from different periods also differ. The cartridge began with black powder in 1888, moved to smokeless powder in 1891 and to cordite after that, and the loads of 1910 and 1938 were different again. A rifle from an early period was built for those early loads, so its condition and the ammunition you choose should be checked by someone who knows the model. Modern commercial ammunition is made to stay within the SAAMI limit of 49,000 psi.

Why people shoot it

The first reason is history. The Lee-Enfield was a fast, reliable bolt-action rifle with a ten-round magazine, and many shooters enjoy owning and firing one. The cartridge ties directly to that history.

The second reason is power. A 150 grain bullet leaves at about 2,690 to 2,770 ft/s, a 174 grain bullet at about 2,500 ft/s and a 180 grain soft point at about 2,570 ft/s. Those figures put the cartridge in the class of the .30-30 and the .308 Winchester, and they are enough for deer and similar game.

The third reason is availability. Surplus rifles are common, and ammunition from Federal, Hornady, Winchester and other makers is on the shelf in many stores. Brass and bullets for reloading are easy to find.

A fourth reason is the simple, strong bolt action. The Lee-Enfield was designed for fast, repeated fire, with a ten-round magazine and a short bolt throw, and shooters who try one often remark on how quickly it can be worked. That feature has little to do with the cartridge, but it explains why so many people want a rifle in this caliber.

Specifications at a glance

Values are rounded for reference. Velocities are typical factory or test figures and vary by load and barrel length.

Strengths and limits

The .303 British is an old military cartridge with real hunting power. These are the trade-offs to understand.

Honest advice: for a new hunting rifle, the .308 Winchester has more rifles, more ammunition and better bullets. The .303 British makes sense if you own a Lee-Enfield, want to shoot a historic rifle, or like the cartridge itself.

Bullet and ammunition choice

Commercial loads use 150 to 180 grain soft point bullets. Surplus ammunition uses 174 grain full metal jacket bullets. For hunting, choose a soft point made for the speed and the game.

Ballistics

The table and charts below show one factory load, a Federal Power-Shok 150 grain soft point at 2,690 ft/s, with the rifle zeroed at 100 yards.

Reading the numbers

With a 100 yard zero the bullet falls about 4 inches at 200 yards, 16 at 300, 37 at 400 and 68 at 500. A 10 mph crosswind moves it about 10 inches at 300 yards, 19 at 400 and 31 at 500. Velocity drops from 2,690 ft/s at the muzzle to about 1,570 ft/s at 500 yards, and energy from about 2,410 to about 830 foot-pounds.

This is a 200 to 250 yard hunting cartridge. The bullet keeps about 1,600 foot-pounds at 200 yards and 1,300 at 300, which is enough for deer. Past 300 yards, the drop and the drift grow quickly, so keep shots within the range where you can place the bullet.

Recoil and shooter comfort

Recoil is moderate to firm. A Lee-Enfield is a fairly heavy rifle, and the cartridge kicks about like a .30-30 or a lighter .308 load. Most adults shoot it well, though the rifle is not built for comfort.

Use good hearing protection, and consider both plugs and muffs on the range. A new shooter will learn faster on a lighter cartridge.

How to choose ammunition

Match the load to the use, and check that it suits your rifle.

For hunting, choose a soft point or a bonded hunting bullet. For practice, a full metal jacket load costs less. Try more than one load, since a rifle often prefers one.

Check the bore and the rifle

The bore of a surplus military rifle often measures .309 to .318 inch, so bullet fit matters. Have a gunsmith check an old rifle before you shoot it, and ask about the bore and the headspace.

Cost

The cartridge costs more than common calibers, and stores stock fewer choices. Reloading can lower the cost.

Surplus and commercial ammunition

Surplus ammunition can vary a great deal in age, storage and condition, and some of it is old. Check the headstamp and the date, and consider commercial ammunition for hunting and for a rifle you want to keep in good condition. Brass cases can be reloaded with suitable dies, and brass made for the .303 British is available.

How to choose a rifle

Most shooters buy a surplus rifle, so condition is the main question. These are the points that matter most.

• Condition. Check the bore for pitting and rust, the crown for damage and the stock for cracks.
• Bore size. Have a gunsmith measure it, since surplus bores vary from .309 to .318 inch.
• Headspace. Have it checked, since old rifles can be worn.
• Sights and scope. Many rifles have only iron sights, and mounting a scope usually needs a mount made for the rifle.
• Model. Lee-Enfield rifles are the common example, and the Lee-Metford is the older model.
• Magazine. Check that the magazine feeds and that it matches the rifle.

Buy from a dealer who lets you inspect the rifle, and check local rules. Some rifles are collectibles, and the value depends on originality.

Zeroing and range practice

A 100 yard zero is a good starting point. With a 150 grain soft point the bullet falls about 4 inches at 200 yards and 16 at 300. For hunting, that means holding on the top of the vital area at 200 yards and holding over past 250.

Zero at 100 yards on paper first, then confirm at 200. Shoot at 300 to learn your own drops, and write them on a card. The numbers in this guide are estimates from a model, and your barrel, load and air density will move them. Wind is the main problem past 300 yards, so practice judging it.

Shoot from field positions as well as a bench. Practice at the distances you plan to take, and keep a note of the load, the date and the weather with each group, so that you can compare results over time and learn what your rifle prefers.

Practical uses

Range shooting and collecting

Most .303 British rifles are shot at the range and kept as part of a collection, and the cartridge suits that use well.

Deer

With a 150 to 180 grain soft point, the cartridge has the power for deer at 200 yards, and many hunters have used it for that purpose.

Boar

It handles boar at moderate range with a soft point or a hunting bullet.

Historical shooting

Shooters who like to fire a historic rifle can use a Lee-Enfield with ammunition suited to it. Always check the rifle first.

.303 British vs similar cartridges

The table compares the .303 British with the cartridges it is usually weighed against. Figures are rounded. The 7.62x54R is shown by C.I.P. pressure, and the others by SAAMI.

Against the .308 Winchester, the .303 British runs at a lower pressure and with a slightly slower bullet. Against the .30-06, it has less case capacity. Against the 7.62x54R, the two are close in power. Against the .30-30, it is a more powerful cartridge in a rimmed case.

Care and storage

Clean the bore after every session, and clean it thoroughly after shooting surplus ammunition. Oil the bolt and the action, and inspect the stock for cracks. Store the rifle unloaded and locked, with the ammunition separate and away from children. Keep wooden stocks away from damp and heat, and wipe the metal with a light coat of oil, since an old rifle rusts quickly when it is stored in a humid place.

Safety and common mistakes

• Have an old military rifle checked by a gunsmith before you shoot it.
• Do not confuse .303 British ammunition with 7.62x54R, .308 Winchester or .30-30 ammunition. Read the headstamp.
• Treat every rifle as loaded. Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on the target.
• Know your target and what lies beyond it. A rifle bullet can travel several miles.
• Wear eye and ear protection.
• Check the bore for obstructions before you load.
• If you reload, use only published data from a current manual. This page does not contain loading data.
• Store firearms and ammunition locked and apart, away from children.

Sources

Sources reviewed · 29 October 2026

1. Wikipedia · .303 British ↗
2. Federal Power-Shok .303 British 150 gr Soft Point ↗