• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Breaking News
    • Industry News
  • Gun Reviews
  • Gear Reviews
  • Ballistics
  • Concealed Carry
    • Defensive Gun
  • 2A

Gunners Den

  • Ammo
  • Rifles
    • ar-15
    • SKS
    • M1 Garand
    • M1 Carbine
    • Mini
  • Shotguns
  • Handguns
  • Hunting
  • Reloading
  • Trade Shows
  • Gun Info

303 British Ballistics and Cartridge Guide

July 28, 2021 By Joshua Gillem

Photo courtesy of Hornady

What was once feared on the battlefield during several wars is now used for hunting purposes across the world. The 303 British and the Lee Enfield rifles that they were fired in are the subject of this article.

The cartridge itself has a rimmed, bottleneck case that dates all the way back to 1888. At first it was a black powder cartridge, but transitioned fairly early on to utilize smokeless powder in 1891.

The 303 British stayed in service until 1954, and was eventually phased out for a more modern cartridge, the 7.62X51 NATO.

303 Brit Rifles:

I urge caution when purchasing a surplus Lee Enfield rifle. I’ve shot some sporterized rifles (meaning that they were changed and de-militarized with a shortened barrel) that were off target at 50 yards during sight in, only to find later that the barrels were messed up.

To my knowledge, there aren’t any modern 303 British rifles being made, periodically Ruger manufactures the Ruger No 1 in 303 British, but I can’t remember the last time that happened.

Some of the original Lee Enfields can be worth a considerable amount of money depending on what you have and the markings. That goes outside the scope of this article.

303 British Ballistics Charts:

This 303 British ballistic chart shows 150 grain Interlock Soft Points from Hornady:

Velocity (FPS)Energy (FT/LB)Drop (Inches)
Muzzle26852401/
100 YDS24411984+2.2
200 YDS221016270
300 YDS19921321-9.3
400 YDS17871064-27.4
500 YDS1598851-56.5

This 303 British ballistics chart shows 180 grain Federal Premium PowerShok:

Velocity (FPS)Energy (FT/LB)Drop (Inches)
Muzzle24602418/
100 YDS22061944+2.8
200 YDS196615450
300 YDS17441215-11.9
400 YDS1542950-35.3
500 YDS1363742-73.6

The 303 British is a popular enough cartridge with plenty of surplus and used rifles out there in the United States to ensure that it won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

For more cartridges, check out our main rifle ballistics chart next.

Filed Under: Ballistics, Ammo, Rifles Tagged With: ballistics, ballistics chart, hunting, rifle, rifle ballistics

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly North Carolina, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular Posts

Best AR-15 Manufacturers

When Will Ammunition Prices Go Down?

Handgun Ballistics Chart

Rifle Ballistics Chart

Muzzle Brake vs Comp vs Flash Hider

12 Best 9mm Handguns

45-70 Ballistics, History, Info

Best Optics Ready Pistols

Cheap Bulk 223 Ammo

Follow Us

YouTube

Facebook

Footer

Disclosure

Privacy Policy

About Us

Contact Us

Advertise

Contributors

Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · GunnersDen.com ~ As a participant in the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate services, I may earn a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on a link. It in no way increases the amount you pay and helps us stay in business. Please know that we only recommend products we trust and have used ourselves.