If you own a Lee-Enfield, you already know the 303 British. It’s a rimmed rifle round with a long service record and a big following among collectors and hunters. The good news is that it’s still loaded today in both range and hunting versions. This guide covers 303 British ballistics for every load we stock: three bullet weights, published velocity and energy, and what each one does best.
A Short History
When was the 303 British made? Britain adopted it in 1888. It first fed the Lee-Metford rifle and then the Lee-Enfield family. It began with black powder and soon moved to smokeless cordite.
What war was the 303 British used in? Both World Wars, plus many smaller conflicts across the British Commonwealth. It served British and Commonwealth forces for decades before the move to 7.62 NATO.
What caliber is it? The bullet measures about .311 to .312 inch. That makes it a .30 caliber round, though not the same bullet size as the .308. The case has a rim, so it headspaces on the rim.
303 British Ballistics Table
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok | 150 | Soft point | 2,690 | 2,410 | 20-round box |
| PPU | 150 | Soft point | 2,690 | 2,404 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Custom | 150 | InterLock SP | 2,685 | 2,401 | 20-round box |
| Remington UMC | 174 | FMJ | 2,475 | 2,366 | 200 rounds (10 boxes of 20) |
| PPU | 174 | FMJ | Not listed | Not listed | 20-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot | 180 | FMJ flat base | 2,438 | 2,376 | 20-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot | 180 | Soft point | 2,382 | 2,267 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Super X | 180 | Power-Point SP | 2,460 | 2,418 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt | 180 | Soft point | 2,460 | 2,418 | 20-round box |
| Federal Power-Shok | 180 | Hot-Cor SP | 2,460 | 2,418 | 20-round box |
| PPU | 180 | Bonded SP | 2,460 | 2,426 | 20-round box |
The PPU 174 grain FMJ is in stock but has no published velocity, so its cells say “Not listed.”
The Three Weights, Explained
150 grain: the fast option
The 150-grain loads are the fastest. Federal Power-Shok 150 grain soft point lists 2,690 fps and 2,410 ft-lb. Hornady lists a 24-inch test barrel and a G1 BC of 0.361 for its 150 grain InterLock. These shoot a bit flatter and suit deer at moderate range.
174 grain: the service weight
The 174-grain FMJ is close to the old military ball round. Remington UMC 174 grain FMJ lists 2,475 fps and comes in a 200-round pack. It’s the load for range days and for matching how the rifle was sighted.
180 grain: the all-round hunter
Most 180-grain soft points list 2,460 fps, like Winchester Super X 180 grain Power-Point. Heavier bullets carry more weight into larger game. The PPU 180 grain bonded soft point is built to hold together on bigger animals.
How to Read Velocity and Energy
Velocity is how fast the bullet leaves the muzzle, in feet per second. Energy is its punch at the muzzle, in foot-pounds. Energy rises with weight and with the square of speed. That is why the 150 and 180-grain loads post close energy figures despite their speed gap.
Barrel length counts. Many No. 4 and SMLE rifles carry barrels a little over 25 inches, while the No. 5 “jungle carbine” is much shorter. A short barrel will give lower speed than the box. Military rifles also vary a lot in bore wear. Cold weather can slow some powders, and thin air at altitude helps bullets hold speed downrange. To learn your rifle’s true 303 British ballistics, chronograph it.
What Is 303 British Comparable To?
The 303 British sits in the same general class as the 7.62x54R and the .308 Winchester. It is a step below the .30-06 with most loads. It is clearly more powerful than a 30-30, with heavier bullets at higher speed.
It handles deer, black bear and, with good 180-grain bullets, elk at sensible ranges. Check your state’s hunting rules for each species.
Is 303 British Still Made?
Yes. Federal, Winchester, Remington, Hornady, PPU and Sellier & Bellot all load it. It’s no longer a military round, so you won’t see the cheap surplus of past decades. New commercial ammo is non-corrosive, which is easy on an old bore.
What guns shoot 303 British? Mainly the Lee-Enfield family: the SMLE, the No. 4 and the No. 5. Some sporting rifles and single-shots were also built for it. Fire it only in rifles marked for the 303 British.
Into vintage military rifles? See our 8mm Mauser ballistic data guide and the 30 Carbine ballistic data guide.
Shop 303 British Ammo
Every load above is in our 303 British ammo collection. Pick 174-grain FMJ for the range and a 150 or 180-grain soft point for the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 303 British still made?
Yes. Federal, Winchester, Remington, Hornady, PPU and Sellier & Bellot all make 303 British ammo. It is no longer a service round, so cheap surplus is rare. New commercial loads are non-corrosive.
What caliber is 303 British?
The 303 British fires a bullet of about .311 to .312 inch. It is a .30 caliber round but uses a slightly larger bullet than the .308. The case is rimmed and headspaces on the rim.
What war was the 303 British used in?
It served British and Commonwealth forces in both World Wars and many other conflicts. It was adopted in 1888 and stayed in service for decades until the move to 7.62 NATO.
What is 303 British comparable to?
It sits in the same general class as the 7.62x54R and the .308 Winchester, a step below most .30-06 loads. It hits harder than a 30-30. In our stock, Federal Power-Shok 150 grain lists 2,690 fps.
What guns shoot 303 British ammo?
Mainly the Lee-Enfield family, including the SMLE, No. 4 and No. 5 rifles. Some sporting rifles and single-shots were chambered for it too. Only fire it in a rifle marked for the 303 British.
