Hunting small game

G'day Vlad welcome to the Mad House Mate ! I've used the.303 on Dingos over the years as well as Foxes (when I'm not after the skins though solids don't do that much pelt damage ) Using Factory ammo really puts you behind the 8 ball as far as foxes go where pelt damage is a issue unless you use solids ! That aside though Highlander 150 gn loads are dynimite on Dogs ,Roos, Pigs,Goats & even camels & donkeys ! For smaller Game look at reloading as a 125 gn bullet being pushed by 39.5 gns of ADI BM2 is the way to go (even for head shot's on Rabbits )

   Dave

VladTepes wrote: Has anyone had any experience in hunting small game (wild dogs and foxes) with the .303 ? If so, is there any suitably light commercially loaded ammunition ?  (I haven't got all my reloading gear ready to go yet).

VladTepes,
Yes I Varmint and small game hunt with mine. Starting with a 123 grain with 42.6 grains of winchester driving the bullet to 2750 fps. You can get 3000 fps and faster use caution.

Cookie Monster

Ok Dave the info I have is from the Vihtavuori reloading guide recently published. The guidlines are 57grn ALS manufactured by lapua C.O.L. 73.3 mm /2. 886 inches powder type N110 minimum starting load is 25.9 grains velocity 3219fps MAXIMUM load is 34.1 grains 3865fps.

N110 is a fast burning propellant that can be used in aplication which previously used Hercules 2400 Hodgon H110 or Winchester 296. Typical applications include .22 hornet 25-20 winchester, 357 S&W magnum 357 Maximum, 44 magnum and 45 Winchester magnum. You'll have to cross reference to find suitable loading data for your usual powders mate.

Looking at the data they rip out at a hell of a velocity I'm guessing you'd get a lot of barrel fouling due to the speeds.  

Try using 32cal pistol bullets. If you want to approximate 22LR performance, use a small charge of pistol powder.

Cookie Monster wrote: VladTepes wrote: Has anyone had any experience in hunting small game (wild dogs and foxes) with the .303 ? If so, is there any suitably light commercially loaded ammunition ?  (I haven't got all my reloading gear ready to go yet). VladTepes, Yes I Varmint and small game hunt with mine. Starting with a 123 grain with 42.6 grains of winchester driving the bullet to 2750 fps. You can get 3000 fps and faster use caution. Cookie Monster

Thanks.