303 or 45-70?

[Uncharted_NT]

.303! Rule Britannia!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

You will love the 303

.... if I ever find one...

 

[Flbt]

FYI - The 35-303 British wildcat is one of the chamberings that JES Rebore offers if you're a reloader:

Caliber & Bore Options - Reboring by J E S

Caliber & Bores Available

35caliber.com

Since the goal would be to get the caliber >= 35 & because the 303 British is rimmed, I wonder if converting to a 9.3x74r would be doable? It's annoying that I can't use my Ruger No. 1S in Mississippi or Louisiana because it doesn't have an exposed hammer but I can't use it in Arkansas either because that cartridge isn't straight-walled. It's like all three states hate one of my favorite rifle / round combinations.

The 9.3 now that is a interesting idea had not even crossed my mind

 

[sestoppelman]

I want a .303; I was actually looking online today over lunch. No luck so far.

Here ya go.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1105362821

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Thanks Scott. It's on my watch list - saw it at lunch.

 

[Captain Munro]

FYI - The 35-303 British wildcat is one of the chamberings that JES Rebore offers if you're a reloader:

Caliber & Bore Options - Reboring by J E S

Caliber & Bores Available

35caliber.com

Since the goal would be to get the caliber >= 35 & because the 303 British is rimmed, I wonder if converting to a 9.3x74r would be doable? It's annoying that I can't use my Ruger No. 1S in Mississippi or Louisiana because it doesn't have an exposed hammer but I can't use it in Arkansas either because that cartridge isn't straight-walled. It's like all three states hate one of my favorite rifle / round combinations.

Agreed! I have a Ruger No 1. In 45-70 but without the hammer it doesn't make the rules.

 

[Graham Hunter]

I have one in 303. I love it. Shoots anything under an 1.5inch. But it does have a little bounce to it. I think a 45-70 might be hard to handle!

 

[PCC600]

Here ya go.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1105362821

That is a nice rifle .

 

[AZDAVE]

I have been a fan or the old 45/70 for a LONG time, but in this rifle I would pick the 303. If it was a sharps or rolling block the choice would be a 45/70.

 

[Bonk]

Easy call for me. 303 British.

The 45-70 juice isn’t worth the squeeze IMO. Too much noise/recoil for a relatively modest result. Not particularly accurate in my experience but not inaccurate either. Somewhat expensive ammo for the performance you get. FWIW, I’ve owned several lever actions and one Highwall in 45-70. I appreciate it’s history but not enough to own another one.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am looking at the Uberti CourtEney stalking rifle it comes in 303 and 45-70
With my shoulder the 45-70 loads would be the light ones 300gr Winchester hp ( I have a few hundred of the around)
If I get the 303 if I could find them o would want 200gr or so but the 180gr is easier to find I would want round nose soft points
Fl. Deer , hogs and maybe bear if they bring bear season back.
Shots would be under 200 and really most at a 100 yds or less from the spots I would be hunting from.

Either caliber would have a low powered Burris scope

@Flbt
I have a soft spot for the old 303.
Woodleighs 210gn RNSP is available but may be hard to find in the USA
There's nought wrong with the good old 180gn Hornady Round nose tho.
From my reading about the Courtney it is not advisable to use high pressure loads so you won't be able to stoke it up to get the best out of either cartridge
As you said recoil is a bit of an issue now so I would stick with the 303.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'd prefer the 303, but in order to use it for primitive weapon season in Miss, I'd get the 45-70. Though I wonder if it would be possible to convert the 303 to 35 Whelen?

@Captain Munro
From what I have read about the uberti the answer would be no as the action is designed for the old rounds and they even advise not to try and hot rod it.
The 35-303 territorial or the 375 nitro express might be an option.

Bob

 

[Captain Munro]

Very interesting. I'm going down the cartridge rabbit hole now. Love finding out new things about cartridges and such

 

[Rare Breed]

I am looking at the Uberti CourtEney stalking rifle it comes in 303 and 45-70
With my shoulder the 45-70 loads would be the light ones 300gr Winchester hp ( I have a few hundred of the around)
If I get the 303 if I could find them o would want 200gr or so but the 180gr is easier to find I would want round nose soft points
Fl. Deer , hogs and maybe bear if they bring bear season back.
Shots would be under 200 and really most at a 100 yds or less from the spots I would be hunting from.

Either caliber would have a low powered Burris scope

I am a classic nostalgia type of person...I would choose the 303 given it is a classic Africa cartridge unlike the 45-70 which is a good cartridge but not born in Africa. Just me.

 

[Flbt]

@Flbt
I have a soft spot for the old 303.
Woodleighs 210gn RNSP is available but may be hard to find in the USA
There's nought wrong with the good old 180gn Hornady Round nose tho.
From my reading about the Courtney it is not advisable to use high pressure loads so you won't be able to stoke it up to get the best out of either cartridge
As you said recoil is a bit of an issue now so I would stick with the 303.
Bob

Yes recoil is a issue.
I dont reload any thing I use will be factory ammo or what I can get my brother to reload for me. Being a dyslexic I dont think me trying to reload would be safe. Seeing 4.9 gr as 9.4 could be a serious problem.

 

[ftrovato]

So many options in 45-70 factory ammo from 300 to 410 grains. It can be a light shooter or a thumper depending on what you shoot.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Very interesting. I'm going down the cartridge rabbit hole now. Love finding out new things about cartridges and such

@Captain Munro
If you want I will post the rest of the article.
The 35-303 in a good strong action sits between the 358win and the Whelen.
I you use my improved case it would equal or exceed the Whelen in factory loads because the case capacity is increased to 60gn.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yes recoil is a issue.
I dont reload any thing I use will be factory ammo or what I can get my brother to reload for me. Being a dyslexic I dont think me trying to reload would be safe. Seeing 4.9 gr as 9.4 could be a serious problem.

@Flbt
Remington makes a nice 180gn round nose core lockt.
Bob

 

[Captain Munro]

@Captain Munro
If you want I will post the rest of the article.
The 35-303 in a good strong action sits between the 358win and the Whelen.
I you use my improved case it would equal or exceed the Whelen in factory loads because the case capacity is increased to 60gn.
Bob

I'd appreciate that. I would like the read it. Thanks!

 

[Flbt]

@Flbt
Remington makes a nice 180gn round nose core lockt.
Bob

I was looking at ammo saw that rem load but damed they want 80$ for a box

Read some magazines articles they said the action is relatively strong but not to push it.
But there seams to be a problem if you don’t use the the .312 bullets some article said it was trying to key hole at 50 yds with the .311 and smaller
Idk
But I see the s&b 180gr for 20 and a company call Sinclair or something like that saying they had 200 gr rn sp
Looks interesting very little lead showing
I would think it would hold together
But most of them will probably the biggest thing I will shoot will be a hog