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Does anyone have experience with Hornady .3105 FMJ

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Mayhem View Drop Down
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    Posted: July 07 2024 at 8:21pm
https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/303-cal-3105-174-gr-fmj-bt#!/

I am thinking of giving them a go in my No. 4 Mk 1 with a new Lothar Walther 4-groove 1:10 barrel and just wondering if anyone has used these?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2024 at 4:55am
I have not, but don’t see why they wouldn’t shoot from a new barrel. Let us know if you get them. 

I didn’t realize the Lothar Walther barrel is a 4 groove. I have one, but not installed it yet. 




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2024 at 11:56am
I've used them.
They work well with good condition non 2-groove barrels.
If your barrel is 2 groove, worn, or both, it might not like boat tail bullets of just about any diameter though.
You'll know immediately on firing them if they're any good in YOUR bore. Bad ones will keyhole in just yards.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mayhem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2024 at 5:02pm
I was given some reloads but as I don't like to shoot mystery ammo, I have pulled the components and discovered it is loaded with these Hornady projectiles.  I have loaded up three to test initially (38.5, 38.8, 39.1), as the Hornady reloading book states 39.1 as the max load with Varget (ADI AR2208), which seems low to me.  ADI doesn't list this projectile, but Sierra Match Kings with AR2208 max out at 42.0.  I usually load these at 40.5, so I have also loaded some of the Hornady pills in the 40 - 41 range to see how they fare.

I had a LW barrel fitted by T-Bone Shipwrights in Sydney, when I was over there in May.  Haven't had a good chance to shoot it however, and have only put about 50 rounds through it.  It definitely shoots a lot better that the worn out two-groove barrel that it replaced.

From their website: https://www.lothar-walther.de/drop-in-barrel/rifle/enfield-no.4-mk1/1819/enfield-no.4-mk1.303british-10-mud-15.4-mm-l-640-mm-cr-moly-steel?c=656


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2024 at 5:56pm
40-41 grains of ADI AR2208 (Varget) should shoot just fine with that bullet. I’ve shot many thousands of rounds with 40.0 and 174 SMK in 4 different No. 4 rifles, and won quite a few matches with it. 




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mayhem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2024 at 6:13pm
That is what I figured but was a little concerned by Hornady stating 39.1 as the max load.  40.5 is my standard load for 174 SMK in Bertram brass with CCI 200 primers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2024 at 4:04am
Some of the published loading manuals are quite conservative. I usually go with the powder manufacture data. If any doubt, start low and work up watching for signs of pressure.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mayhem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2024 at 7:39am
That is my approach as well.  Cannot be too safe.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2024 at 11:50am
I tried Varget using those numbers some time back, they were pretty anemic. It actually put me off using Varget. 150 Gr Hornady with 38.2 Gr of it gave me 2420 FPS measured @ 10' Evil Smile

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2024 at 12:21pm
Some of that early load data for Varget was "off".  

I found the first accuracy node came at around 40.0 gr with 174 gr bullet, anything less than that produced scatter groups.

38.2 gr. with 150 grain bullet is a very mild load and probably would not give good accuracy.  Would likely need 41-42 grains with that bullet.

The CMP Match high recorded score for 2021 (across the US) was done with PPU Case, WLR Primer, 40.0 gr Varget and 174 grain SMK; both the 30 round and the 50 round course of fire.  This load just works...


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sapper740 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2024 at 2:13pm
I gave both the Hornady 174 gr. FMJ/BT #3131 and the 150 gr. SP Interlock #3120 a chance when 174 gr. SMKs dried up for a spell.  They both gave satisfactory accuracy (3 to 4 MOA) in a number of rifles I loaded them for but the Hornady 150 gr. SST, the LeHigh 150 gr. Target Copper Solid and the 174 gr. SMK all gave superior accuracy (1 to 1.5 MOA) with both Varget and BL-C(2).  I put them in the same class as PPU bullets, OK accuracy but not Match material.  Your results may differ.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 10 2024 at 11:56am
#3131 is my go to for my SMLE & the No5
The No4 Mk2 likes the #3120 150s.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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