Is .303 British Ammo Still Commercially Available?

A

AlphaHunter88

New member
Got a friend of mine who knows a guy that has a #4 Enfield in good operating condition for $100 cash. Doesn't come with a magazine or scope mounts, but for a buck I'd settle for iron sights. My only concern is that the ammo would be hard to find especially in a good soft point round. Anyone know of any chain stores that may carry it? I lfound plenty online, but by the time shipping is factored in I'm looking at $30+ a box for even the cheapest box of 20. I know it'd be a lot easier if I reloaded, but for now my only option is factory ammo. ANY help would be greatly appreciated and the answers I get may determine whether or not I make the purchase.
 
Try SGAmmo for online, they generally carry Sellier & Beloit, or the Serbian PPU. That's running $22 a box here.

Save your brass, and consider a reloading setup, it pays for itself in a short while with calibers like 303 British or 7.5 Swiss, stuff like that.

If the rifle is nice, don't hesitate. The ammo isn't difficult to find. Don't bother with surplus, it's very old and corrosive.

Magazines run $30 or so.
 
For that price, I would jump on it. I have had a few Brits over the years and most shot really well. You can always get a lemon, but overall I had good experiences with them.
 
Thanks for the info. Next paycheck I'll definitely jump on it if he still has it. I'm a late 80s baby, but I'm in love with old quality milsurp guns that tend to get lost in the modern gun craze. I've owned a Moson 91/30 and my uncle's old Garand. This will be my first Enfield if it makes it home with me. For $100 I really can't go wrong. I'll probably refinish the stocks and definitely get a mag.
 
Make certain it's not the older No. 1 Mk.III magazine, you want the No. 4 only. Ignore the Indian magazines for 7.62 Nato, as well.
 
If you're talking milsurp ammo, no. Commercial hunting ammo is loaded by every American ammo maker. Means you can order it through your local gun shop.
"...$30+ a box for even the cheapest box of 20..." Applies to nearly all commercial hunting ammo. However, Midway lists Prvi at under $20 per 20. 174 grain FMJ's and 180 grain SP's.
No No. 4 (that is not an SMLE)mags at Gunparts. A No. 1 mag can be converted by grinding off the lower locking lug. Only one lug on a No. 4 mag.
New, aftermarket No. 1 mags run $39.95 at Gunparts. Suggest you avoid Pro Mag brand mags too. They're flat on the bottom and squareish. And unreliable.
Real No. 4 mags seem to have entirely disappeared Stateside.
 
Was the rifle altered to look like a civilian rifle, meaning, has the front stock been cut back or altered in other ways? If that's the case, generally bubbafied rifles go 100-200 dollars. If it's unaltered and just missing a magazine, run as fast as you can with that $100 bill and buy it quick. Military unaltered rifles seem to be in the 300-400 range these days, depending on condition and features of course. You can always shoot it as a single shot for the time being.
 
Just buys the sucker, and deal with the problems later, You know they aren't making anymore of these, I have many of them and will buy all I can find.. Grat shooters, and reasonably accurate, and if you reload,,,,,,cheap.
 
The .303 was the service rifle and machinegun cartridge of the entire British Empire & Commomwealth from the late 1880s through the 1950s. You might not find it dirt cheap and on every store shelf in the USA, but its going to be available long after you and I are not.
 
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