Reloading for the 7.62 chambered Enfield |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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Posted: December 30 2018 at 4:41pm |
As most of you are aware,I have an Enfield chambered for the 7.62mm NATO round. My go-to cartridge case has been the Lapua or Norma. I recently came across some Lake City once fired brass which,in and of itself is equal in design and manufacture as that of both Lapua and Norma. In some instances, a little better if you have any Match stamped cases or, any LC case stamped, LC LR date code does not matter. This cartridge case is thicker in design then Black Hills,Lapua,or Norma and was made specifically for tactical/high accuracy/competition. My go-to powder is Norma 202. It was specifically developed for the .308/7.62. With both of those components, the use of Winchester Large Magnum Rifle primers and Hornady 168grn BTHP bullets, I have been generating the target grouping you have seen. There's my recipe for success...
Side Note: For the 7.62mm using the 168grn bullet, I use 40.0grns of the Norma 202. For the .303 using the 174grn bullet,I use 40.0grns of the Norma 202. The ballistics and fps are almost identical out to 100 yards, after that the .308 is all on own...
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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I’ve been using Varget: 40.0 grains in .303 with 174 gr SMK and 40.0 grains in 7.62 with 168 gr SMK. The bullets are quite comparable, BC of 174 gr bullet being slightly higher. Ive not chrono’ed these loads, but believe they are mild for pressure based on published data.
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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I totally understand that everyone has their own tried and true load recipes. If you have found a winning combination, stick with it. If you are still working up to that magical combination for both your. 303 and .308/7.62x51 might I recommend you try this. Lapua or Norma cases for the 7.62x51.Norma if you can find them otherwise PPU,or Hornady for the .303BR. NORMA202 powder,exactly 40.0grns. The primers recommended are the WLMR primers. Bullets supplied by Hornady both in 174grn and 168grn. In the photo of the bullets the 174
303 bullet is to the left of the 168 308 bullet. Both of these two very different bullet weights produce almost exactly the same ballistics from the muzzle out to 100 yards. If both rifles are zeroed for 100 yards there is no difference. I have used this recipe since I received this book 33 years ago and I haven't looked back. ....................
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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No doubt, Lapua makes excellent brass. I use it in my 1903 A4 Springfield (.30-06). I wish Lapua made .303 cases!
I’ve loaded up some 7.62 with .308 Lapua cases ready to try in my two No. 4 target rifles. I’ve been loading Canadian DA 62 cases, which are military NATO spec, a bit heavier in construction. I have tried the Hornady .312 diameter 174 grain match bullet in my .303 and it does shoot very good, I could not distinguish any improvement over the 174 gr SMK. I’ve never tried Norma powders, but based on your results, I will get some with my next powder order and try your recommended load. It’s interesting you use WLRM magnum primers. I’m been using WLR (standard) with the .303 and 7.62. Is that what the Norma manual recommends with their powders? That would typically add additional pressure to the load over standard primers, but at 40 grains of powder in both of these cartridges, likely still below max. |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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This is the standard loadings as per NORMA. It has been working for me.
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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I have not tried the 168 grain bullet's in my 7.62 L39. I have been using the 155 grain SMK's with 41 grains of Vectan SP7 powder. However I've not had much opportunity to shoot this rifle so have not tested other powders.
I did get to a 200 metre range yesterday for the first time in over a year for this rifle (L39). Definitely need to get more practice! I was using a C50 target, which is quite small without a scope. A few too many flyer's to be happy with it. But good to get back to shooting large calibre again. I have had to join a second club that is 1 hour's drive for the 200 metre range. Hopefully I'll get some proper practice before the competitions this year. |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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Zed. I have been using this load for over thirty years now and have yet to be disappointed. I have used the SMK,TMK,A-Max,ELD,HPBT all in the same 168grn bullet. The HPBT shoot a tiny bit straighter.
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