303 british ammo

303 British ammo — the .303 British — is the storied military cartridge that armed the Lee-Enfield rifle through two world wars and remains a capable hunting round today. A rimmed .311-inch cartridge adopted in 1888, it drives 150- to 180-grain bullets at moderate velocity for effective deer and medium-game performance, and it still feeds the millions of surplus Lee-Enfields in shooters’ hands. Whether you own a piece of history or a modern sporter, the .303 British is a proven, useful cartridge. This page covers what it’s good for and how it compares.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .303 British from Prvi Partizan, Sellier & Bellot, Hornady, and Federal — soft-point hunting and FMJ loads, in boxes and bulk.

What the .303 British Does Best

The .303 British is a moderate-range hunting and surplus-rifle cartridge. A 150- to 180-grain bullet near 2,400–2,700 fps delivers solid energy for deer and medium game inside about 250 yards, and modern soft-point loads make it an effective hunting round in the classic Lee-Enfield or a sporterized rifle. Hornady’s flex-tip LEVERevolution-style loads add a bit of reach. Our .303 British ballistic data guide has full numbers.

.303 British vs. .308 and .30-30

The .303 sits among the classic .30-caliber hunting rounds. It’s slightly less powerful than the .308 but in the same general class, effective on the same game at moderate range; it outpowers the .30-30 with a bit more reach. Other surplus-era cartridges like the 8mm Mauser and 7.62×39 fill similar roles. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying .303 British

Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.303 British Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is .303 British ammo still available?

Yes. Although it’s a military-surplus-era cartridge, .303 British remains in regular production from Prvi Partizan, Sellier & Bellot, Hornady, Federal, and others in both soft-point hunting and FMJ loads. It’s lower-volume than mainstream cartridges, so it’s less common on shelves and pricier, but readily available online for the many Lee-Enfields still in use.

Is a .303 more powerful than a .308?

No, slightly less. The .308 Winchester generally drives bullets a bit faster with more energy and a flatter trajectory, though the two are in the same general class. The .303 British is plenty effective on deer and medium game at moderate range, but the .308 has a modest edge in velocity and reach.

What is a .303 British good for?

Deer and medium-game hunting at moderate range, plus shooting the historic Lee-Enfield rifles it was designed for. With modern soft-point loads it’s an effective hunting cartridge inside about 250 yards. It’s also popular with military-surplus collectors and shooters who enjoy its history and the rugged Lee-Enfield platform.

How much does .303 British cost?

As a lower-volume cartridge, it costs more per round than mainstream rounds like .308, with surplus-style FMJ being the most affordable and premium hunting loads costing more. Buying in bulk when available helps. It’s reasonably priced for a surplus-era cartridge but pricier than high-volume modern rounds.

Can you buy .303 British ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .303 British online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.