does anyone out there have any info on reloading 303.25's

Luke,

Welcome to the forum. Rules are to join in and be polite and not post anything you'd be embarrassed to explain to an eight-year-old (we have some young readers).

Let me ask you to clarify your terminology. Is this a 303 necked down for .257" bullets? Here we would call that a .25–303 or a .257–303. I don't find the round in any of my databases, though it could be created for QuickLOAD in the QuickDESIGN program and good load estimates could be made.

Think I remember reading that the .303 Brit case, necked down to .25 cal, is moderately popular in Australia.

What's the water capacity of the case? Since there's a bunch of other .25 cal cartridges in that capacity range (.257 Roberts, .257 Roberts AI, .25-06, etc.) it should be possible to find one that is a good starting point for you.

luke5381,
Firstly ... is it loads for a SMLE, No4 or P14 your chasing?? The SMLE will do 2850fps with a 90gr whilst the P14 will be running 400fps faster when loaded up to its potential.
Most important thing is to realise that 303/25 chambers weren't really standardised (its a wildcat) and quite a few variations existed ... also important is that its NOT just a 303 necked to 25cal ... its also shortened to generally about 2.185" which is my trim length in the P14. The lack of trimming is why you often hear of people complaining about high pressures in 303/25's particularly SMLE's.
For loads ... do a Google search for ADI (Thales) and use their online reloading guide, but be advised that in a SMLE you really want to be going not much higher than the starting loads.
Cheers...
Con

http://www.thalesgroup.com.au/handloaders-guide/index.asp

As mentioned above, really need a bit more information on your cartridge, as well as the type of rilfe you are using it in. Perhaps a photo of the cartridge?
I have a .25-303 Improved, which I use in a single shot falling block rifle, with a 26 inch barrel. Generally, I find that I get .257 Roberts (+P) type of performance from this cartridge and rifle. But, mine is an improved cartridge, which, with a .303 British case, means a substantial increase in powder capacity. I will post a picture once I get my camera up and running.

I have attached a photo of some loaded .25-303 Improved cartridges, along with a fired .303 British case. Note tht the throat is a bit long, so some of the cannelures on the 100 grain bullets are shown.

al_sway,
Interesting photos!! Over here there were many variations on the "303/25" ... the shortened (slightly) version being the standard and at one time was commercially loaded. An improved version as shown in the photo existed, as did a rimless (imagine doing that work ... a true labour of love!) version. I know of one 303/25 stamped "25 Westerner" on its barrel and built on a P14, its an improved style. Regarding rifles ... the SMLE is the most common, then P14s and M17s (the M17s are hit and miss on feeding), plus some M98's. In Australia ... the 303/25 was arguably the most popular 303 wildcat, though quite a few versions of the 303/22 are floating about as well and in a P14 will give the 220Swift a flogging.

Friend just had a No4 converted ... but to 303/35 ... another Aussie wildcat for which an improved version existed.
Cheers...
Con

Try the ADI website which I have just seen they have changed their name. They have data for just about anything over here using local powder.

http://www.thalesgroup.com.au/handloaders-guide/rifle.asp

Sorry Con you beat me to it.

al_sway,
If the cartridge you have pictured has a 40deg shoulder, then its what I believe we'd call a 250Taipan over here. There was also a 270Taipan and both were designed in collaboration between Hec Bridgeman and Sid Churches. These and others in Australia seem to have been parallelling the work of Canadians like G.B. Crandall. My 303/25 is slightly shorter than a 303British case but shares the same shoulder angle and would most accurately be called a 303/25 Sprinter.
Cheers...
Con

thanks heaps guys my rifle is a 303/25 SMLE No4 Mk1 that has been sportorized im currently shooting 87 grain projectiles with 31 grains of Ar2208 powder trim length is 2.165" i got that from some old cases that i got with the rifle the cases show no sign of pressure that im aware of. As i am new to the whole reloading and shooting scene i have got a few people i have been getting information off and i am greatfull for anyone elses input as this is new to me thank you

A gunsmith in Canada named Elwood Epps pioneered various "improved" wildcats based on the .303 British cartridge, during the 1940's.His most popular was the .303Epps, which approached 30-06 ballistics. Other calibres were: .25, 6mm,.22, and.35. RCBS currently makes dies. I understand that the Australians were developing the same type wildcats. For .25 loads or furthur info try www.303.com.

does anyone out there have any info on reloading 303.25's

Hi Luke
I reload 303.25 ammo for a friend , I use 120 grn projectile with 28 grn AR2206 ADI. I purchased cases from Bertram Bullet Co in Seymour, I think I bought the dies from Smiths Gun Shop in Sydney. This calibre was popular in Aust after the war ,They rebarelled SMLE's to 257.Hope this helps
Regards Sid:

As said in USA this work would be .25/.303... And yours has the enlarged shoulder so that is called "improved." Mr. Epps, as said, worked with this in Canada. He consulted with US gunsmith P.O. Ackley. The Epps gunshop is still in the hands of the offspring, I believe. A link can be had from .303british.com. Mr. R is a big fan of the .303 Imp. and SMLEs

If you study closely you will find almost no difference between the .303 case and the US .30/40 Krag case of about the same era, circa 1890s. In US the rimmed Krag case, probably cheap fired surplus cases, was used for making single shot rifles into smokeless powder sporters.

POINT: In his books, P.O. Ackley, gunsmith states that the case capacity of the .25 Krag Improved (full length, there were shortened versions) is exactly the same as the .257 Roberts Ackley Improved. I AM GUESSING that your .303 creation is awful close. The .257 was on the 7x57 case necked down and improved and is/was widely used. I would guess that "STARTING LOADS" for the .257 Roberts Improved should be safe in your gun. Searching for this data should be easier than the .25/.303, I would guess. Of course, most remodeled rifles in US are on the Mauser pattern with front locking lugs. Often the SMLE is criticized for the rear locking lugs that allow the bolt to flex and the case to stretch more and are not as workable at higher pressures. I might cut the .257 Imp loads 5% and work back looking hard for pressure sign. From there the .243 Rockchucker (NOT Winchester) was the .257 Imp (one form, various neck angles were used) necked down to 6mm... Not as close data but a source of guidance for interpretation... Luck. Happy Trails.

Evening Luke,

Good luck with the 303-25. Have seen hundreds of pigs killed with it over the years.

Had a look at the Thales site, doesn't look like SMLE data to me.

Tossed out all the old reloading manuals years ago. An 87gn bullet at 2850fps was pretty standard at the time.

Cheers

Mark

markone,
The Thales (ADI) data is P14 level stuff ... hence why I wrote not to exceed the starting loads in a SMLE. In the past, two levels of data were published, it was then amalgamated into one set of data with a warning added to the bottom.
Cheers...
Con