303 Vs 30 06: Which One Is The Better?
Choosing the right cartridge for your rifle is often one of the most difficult choices for every shooter.
Even though the 303 British and 30 06 Springfield calibers originate from different countries, they have both stood the test of time and proved reliable cartridges.
In this article, we shall review and compare the .303 vs 30 06 Springfield, we have analyzed the differences, which include Velocity, Energy, Availability, and Price. This will help you decide on the best cartridge for your rifle.
Let’s dive into it.
A Quick Comparison Between 303 British and 30-06
The 30-06 Springfield Ammo is a popular sporting round produced by many well-known manufacturers worldwide. It is one of the most popular sporting cartridges in the world, owing to its effectiveness in hunting rifles. It is also tolerable for the majority of shooters, regardless of age.
It was introduced to the United States Army in 1906 and later standardized; it remained in military use in the first and second world war until the late 1970s. The .30-06 remained the U.S. Army’s primary rifle and machine gun cartridge for nearly 50 years before being replaced by the 7.62×51mm NATO pointed bullet, which is still in use in current U.S. and NATO service.
The 303 British Ammo was named after the cartridge used in British and Commonwealth rifles and machine guns from 1889 until the 1950s. It originated from the United Kingdom and was first developed as a black powder round before being adapted in 1891.
Since then, the.303 British Ammo has been manufactured and has been in service since 1889. It was used in world war I II, the Irish war, and the Greek war, amongst a host of other battles.
Here are some of the different features of the two cartridges.
Property | 303 British | 30-06 Springfield |
Photo: |  |  |
Country of origin: | Great Britain | United States of America |
Bullet velocity: | 844 m/s | 890 m/s |
Maximum pressure (C.I.P.): | 52,939 psi (365.00 MPa) | 58,740 psi (405.0 MPa) |
Overall length: | 3.34 inches | 3.075 inches |
Energy(150 gr, 10g): | 3463 j | 3820 j |
Case capacity: | 56.2 gr H2O | 68gr H2O |
Test barrel length: | 24 inch | 24 inch |
Land diameter: | 7.70 mm | 7.62 mm |
Recoil: | 1.98 | 2.19 |
Ballistic coefficient: | 352.13 | 398.74 |
Bullet height: | 2.22 inches | 2.49 inches |
In-Depth Comparison Between 303 British and 30-06
Muzzle Velocity
This is one of the factors to consider for any rifle. That’s how fast a bullet travels once it’s been fired.
The muzzle velocity of a.303 British (10g) is 844 meters per second. For many users, this is impressive. Furthermore, this speed is sufficient to cause a substantial impact on the target.
The.30-06 Springfield (10g) has a proof-tested speed of 890 m/s. More than the.303 British by 46 meters per second (10g). This cartridge’s higher muzzle velocity than the .303 British makes it a superior choice over the—303 British in terms of accuracy (10g).
Energy
The Muzzle energy is the energy of a bullet right when it leaves the barrel of the firearm. This is useful in different scenarios, including the evaluation of cartridge performance, the determination of recoil, and the estimation of stopping power.
If the bullet expands, or “mushrooms,” it may transfer most of its energy. A sluggish bullet whose full force is delivered to its intended victim is even deadlier than a fast one that passes through its intended victim.
The.303 British (10g) produces 3,463 J of energy. That’s a very remarkable feat. The harm it inflicts on the target is significant.
Whereas 3,820 J of energy is produced by the.30-06 Springfield (10g). That’s an increase of over 400 J, which makes a good hit on the target compared to the power of a.303 British (10g) bullet.
Faster bullets are optional because you have access to slower ones or ones that deal less damage due to their reduced energy use.
Availability
When picking out cartridges for your rifle, availability is a major factor to consider.
The 30-06 is superior to the other rifle because it can be loaded with various hunting ammunition. The ammunition is also more accessible in case of need.
Most urban and suburban regions also supply.303 British (10g) ammunition. However, in rural or outlying places, the supply is limited. The British 303 was a favorite moose and deer cartridge in Canada when military surplus rifles were plentiful and inexpensive.
Price
As a result, having individual cartridges at reasonable prices is critical.
The.303 British (10g) costs roughly $2.50. This is a fairly expensive cartridge.
The.30-06 Springfield cost about $1.90 per round. This is 60 cents less than the British.303 (10g). This may not appear to be a significant difference, but it will become significant if you purchase a large lot.
Is 303 or 30 06 Ammo Hard to Find?
303 ammunition is less readily available than other calibers in the United States. Therefore, if you select a Lee-Enfield in 303 British as your survival rifle in the United States, you will need to stock up on ammunition in advance.
Military surplus rifles can be difficult to find. It is good to stock up on the parts which are most likely to fail in advance. You will be far better off having purchased what you need ahead of time.
Nothing comes close to the 30-06 in terms of availability and variety. You are sure there will be plenty of Ammo regardless of the season. It might be difficult to locate boutique cartridges and even the newest and finest cartridges in an ammo emergency.
303 or 30 06: Which is Your Best Cartridge to Hunting Rifle?
The 303 British cartridge is ideal for hunting, especially whitetail deer and black bears, and is good for all medium-sized wildlife. When military surplus rifles were accessible and affordable in Canada, it was a popular moose and deer cartridge.
The 303 British Ammo fires long, heavier bullets with a high sectional density due to its fast twist rate. It is also quite effective at penetrating. It is ideal for hunting whitetail deer and black bears and is good for other medium-sized wildlife.
When shot with a bullet mass of 10g, the.303 British Ammo has a large rifle primer and a muzzle velocity of 844m/s. It guarantees a sure shot kill at a distance of at least 500m. Canadian Rangers use it for survival and polar bear protection.
Hunters also love the 30-06 rifle. Its rounds are loaded by hand. Most experienced hunters like its adaptability because it can fire heavy bullets or light shots and function equally well. This permits them to change loads rather than calibers.
It has a great range and enough power to take down large game animals. With regular care and maintenance, your 30-06 rifle should last many years.
With this cartridge, a well-trained sharpshooter utilizing high-quality Ammo can expect to hit targets at a range of up to 1000 yards. Most shooters, however, will feel better at ease shooting at game animals at closer ranges.
Deer Cartridge Dimensions
The .30-06 Springfield cartridge case can hold 68.2 grains (4.42 g) of water and has a volume of 4.42 milliliters (0.270 in3). The exterior shape of the case, which includes a flatter trajectory, was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in bolt-action rifles and machine guns under extreme conditions.
On the other hand, the .303 British has a 3.64 ml (56 grains H2O) cartridge case capacity. The pronounced tapering exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in bolt-action rifles and machine guns under challenging conditions.
Which One Should You Choose?
Based on the parameters considered, the 30 06 stands out as the perfect cartridge for you.
The 30 06 has a better velocity and bullet energy than the 303 counterparts. In addition, you are assured of the availability of the caliber regardless of the season.
FAQ
What is a 303 British comparable to?
The .303 British is similar to the 30-06 spring field. The two cartridges are nearly identical in performance. However, the .303 British has a slight velocity and muzzle energy edge.
The .30-06 Springfield is more widely available and has a wider selection of ammunition options.
How accurate is a British 303?
The British 303 is one of the most accurate service rifles ever made. It was, for very many years, the rifle of choice for sharpshooters and remained competitive well into the 1970s.
The level of accuracy of a Lee Enfields 303 British is about 2 minutes of the angle at 100 yards. So at 1200 yards, the accuracy is about 24 inches in the still wind. Its accuracy is enhanced by its velocity.
It will comfortably shoot at 600 yards and can also do up to 1200 yards. However, this depends on factors such as the wind and the rifle type.
Is 303 British a good caliber?
Yes, Definitely. The 303 British is among the best calibers you can rely on. This is due to its unique features, such as velocity and energy.
The .303 British Ammo fires long, heavy bullets with high sectional density. It also possesses an excellent penetrating ability. It is suitable for all medium-sized games and an excellent choice for hunting whitetail deer and black bears.
Is 303 the same as 308?
Even though both cartridges are made in the U.S.A. and have similar cartridge dimensions, they differ in some features.
The. 308’s bullet is 308 inches in diameter, while the. 303’s is.311 inches. When firing a 147-grain standard load, The .308 has a muzzle velocity and energy of 860 m/s and 3617j, respectively, while the .303 has a velocity of 844 m/s and a muzzle energy of 3463j.
Although both the No. 1 and No. 4 lee Enfield actions and the.303 may achieve extraordinary accuracy, the case life of the.303 is often shorter due to the design of the rear locking lug.
Since the .303 British has a rimmed case design, you’ll need to take extra precautions when loading to avoid jamming caused by the rims overlapping. With the rimless.308 case, you won’t have that problem.
Both have proven to be perfect, especially for medium-sized games. However, the 308 Winchester Ammo is the preferable hunting cartridge of the two and yields the most favorable results for your hunting session.
What is a 303 British equivalent?
The .303 British, also designated as the 7.7×56mmR, is a .303-inch (7.7 mm) caliber rimmed rifle cartridge. Some cartridges are similar to the 303 British. One such caliber is the 7.7 Arisaka. Both have a successful reputation in actual combat and are “Main Battle Rifle” type rounds rather than today’s lighter lower energy assault rifle rounds. This means that in the modern era, they’d mostly be used in medium machine guns or sniper rifles.
The difference is that the 303 British is a rimmed cartridge that easily feeds in auto and semi-auto weapons. At the same time, the 7.7 Arisaka is a modern rimless design cartridge and could likely be used with the same pressure in modern arms.
What round is better than a 30-06?
Even though the 30-06 is a powerful caliber, some rounds have proven even more powerful. For instance, the 270 WSM and the 300 Winchester Magnum have a greater velocity and powerful bullet energy compared to the 30-06
What is a 30-06 equivalent to?
There are a few different cartridges similar to the 30-06, but the most common one is the .308 Winchester. The .308 Winchester is a slightly smaller cartridge than the 30-06, but it still has plenty of power for hunting and target shooting.
The 30 06 and the .308 Winchester Magnum have a metric notation of 7.62 mm (land diameter), a similar shooting range with a perfect reputation in hunting both mid and large game sizes.
Is a 303 good for moose or deer?
The. 303 British is a good choice for whitetail deer hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. 303 British pounds is approximately 2410 foot pounds.
Distance plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in moose hunting. The projectile’s kinetic energy drops dramatically the further downrange it travels, primarily due to energy loss in the form of heat generated by friction against the air. This phenomenon is known as drag or air resistance.
Thus, a caliber effective from 50 yards may need more stopping power from 200 yards. That said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for moose is approximately 200 yards.
How far can you shoot a 303?
How far you want to shoot depends on what you wish to shoot. If the paper is the target, 1000 yards is reasonable.
During WW2, British snipers regularly used the .303 British to kill enemy soldiers at 1000 yards.
It depends on the nut behind the butt. But 600 yards and up to 1200 yards under low wind conditions. An Enfield rifle’s accuracy level is about 2 minutes of the angle at 100 yards. So at 1200 yards, the accuracy is about 24 inches in the still wind.
Is 7.62 the same as 303?
No. The 7.62 differs from the 303 in various aspects, which include:
The 7.62 has a muzzle velocity of 850 m/a while the 303 has a velocity of 844 m/a when the bullet weight is 150 grains, we’ll expect a muzzle velocity of approximately 2,770 ft./sec from the .303 British and 2,733 ft./sec. From the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO.
With two weapons having similar bullet weights and configuration, the .303 British will have slightly more recoil than the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO.
Conclusion
We have just reviewed the 303 British and the 30 06 Springfield. Both have different strengths and have built excellent reputations over the years.
However, the 30 06 has a slight edge over the 303 British in different aspects. Let us leave the decision up to you. Which caliber impressed you?
Feel free to comment in the comment section below, and don’t forget to share the post with your friends.
References
- Story of the .30-06: America’s Cartridge – The Armory Life
- “Accurate Powder reload data table” (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- .30-06 Springfield vs .303 British (guncritic.com)
- C.I.P. TDCC datasheet 303 British
- 303 British vs. 30-06 [Which One Is Better] (outwardlab.com)
Dave Motl
My first deer at the age of 45 I joined the deer hunting fraternity a little late, but the desire to hunt has always been there. I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment.