[Haplo]

I purchased a Gibbs Jungle Carbine (British .303) a couple of years ago and have never really thought about using it for hunting. In Ohio deer season is shotgun only. We are making plans to head out west for Elk maybe. Does anyone have any experience with the rifle or caliber as to wether it is appropriate for big game like this?

 

[Irish Setter]

I killed my first buck with a 303. It is certainly powerful enough to bring down a big one, but mine was the old military rifle...heavy as hell. I wouldn't want to lug it around in the hills.

 

[huntswithdogs]

While the .303 is capable and has taken large game before,it wouldn't be my choice for a gun to go out west. I'd get something that has better ballistics and bullet choices.The weight of a rifle, when out west,should also be factored into the equation. Would it work? Yeah. Would I take it? No. Of course this is only my opinion and others may not agree,but here's my 2 cents worth.

HWD

 

[iwoodbutcher]

The .270, .280, 25-06, .308, 30-06 even the 7.62x54R would be better choices for hunting out west. If making the trip out west, pick a cal. that shoots flatter with more down range energy to deliver the need punch.

Monte

 

[luv2safari]

There is nothing wrong with the 303 out to about 225+ yards. I used a drilling in 8x57jr this year to kill my buck at 230 yards, and it is almost a twin brother to the 303.

I would opt for a 30 caliber for Elk hunting...30-06 or heavier and faster. Many Elk have been killed in Canada over the years with a 303, but it is a bit on the lower end for larger big game. While the newer 30 calibers are smaller bore, they have better down range energy and have excellent bullets out on the market.

I would much rather have a 303 while Elk hunting than a 25-06 or any other lighter caliber. By the way, the 7.62x54 is an excellent round that does everything a 30-06 will.

My favorite Elk caliber is a 338 8) with 250's.

 

[Drop-Shot]

Luv2 I have a 762X39,is the 762X54 just a bit bigger?Also how readily available is the round.Drop-Shot

 

[luv2safari]

Re: re: What about the .303

Luv2 I have a 762X39,is the 762X54 just a bit bigger?Also how readily available is the round.Drop-Shot

Both rounds are now available in sporting ammo and inexpensive ball ammo.

To compare the 7.62X39 to the 7.62X54 is like comparing the 30-30 to a 308 or 30-06. The 7.62x39 is not much of a hunting round, while the 7.62X54r is a potent one. The 7.62X54r can be extremely accurate in well made rifles, also.

The 7.62X39 would be OK for hunting the Costal Blacktails within 100-125 yards. The big problem with the x39 is the lousey small bullets made for it. They are about as bad for hunting as anything I could imagine. With a good rifle and 150 to 170 gr bullets it would make a nice 30-30 class set up. The bullets are .311 diameter, however, and about the biggest designed in any kind of a hunting configuration for the x39 are something like the Speer 125 gr Hot Core...far too small IMHO.

On the other hand, the 7.62X54r can be loaded up with 150s and 180s for a real big game combination that hits like an '06.

In a bolt rifle or a break open rifle the X39 could be loaded to about 30-30 ballistics with .311 150 gr bullet...about 2,300 FPS...

 

[Drop-Shot]

That just shows how much I don't know.The more I learn the more I realize how little I know.I have seen some sporterized 303 british enfields that looked good and they were used in battle,so they must be ok.I personally don't believe the 223 is a good military round,great varmit round,the 762X39 is alot better at killing and near kills.So the larger 762X54 is one I have to look up and learn about.Drop-Shot

 

[luv2safari]

D-S,

If you reload for the 7.62x54r be sure to use .311 bullets. Speer has a good 180 Hot Core designed for the 303 British. It is excellent in the 7.62x54r and can be loaded to FACTORY 30-06 ballistics. Don't push it any harder, however!

 

[grimel]

DS,

Depending on the size of the deer the x39 isn't bad. Look at it as a 30-30 from a 14" Contender with a 125gr bullet.

The x54R is dead between the 308 and 30-06. The Mossan-Nangent CARBINES are available for under $60 in SGN. That should be under $90 into your hands. Lose the metal buttplate and it would be handy little rifle. Let me put it this way, if I weren't a lefty I'd have one for rough country and crappy weather.

 

[Drop-Shot]

I'll be getting a 17hmr first,I used to make pretty good some weekends.On one occasion I used my 243 with 75 gr hornady but the exit hole made the value go down.So the marlin 39A took most all yotes after that,but I was limited to distance of 50 feet in wooded area,the 17 will streach that distance.Drop-Shot

 

[Logjam]

Canadians have used the .303 for years. It's a good slow moving heavy round and it penitrates.

 

[surehuntsalot]

I have a sportized 303
with Hornady 150gr. light magnums 250-300 yds all day long

 

[Lanyard Stretcher]

Go hunt with that .303. It will work. I shoot a 7.65 Arg the equals your .303 and it kills well if you put the pill where it should go. Shot placement is everything. Ballistics of a .300 Savage, just an older round.

Mike

 

[daniel pay]

I purchased a Gibbs Jungle Carbine (British .303) a couple of years ago and have never really thought about using it for hunting. In Ohio deer season is shotgun only. We are making plans to head out west for Elk maybe. Does anyone have any experience with the rifle or caliber as to wether it is appropriate for big game like this?

the choice of bullet is very important, if you go hunting elk with your nice handy carbine, then you need to handload with the optimal powder for getting the best balistic out of your short barreled rifle.
A good 180 grain @ 2300-2400 will certainly kill an elk upp to 200 yds and even more. go 180 gr bonded if possible with HIGH BC . those nice little jungle carbins are a delights.
good hunting
Daniel

 

[vicv]

the jungle carbine is a nice weight to carry around in the field. guys at the range won't like you very much as the muzzle blast is quite impressive. recoil is quite stout in that particular rifle but with a good slip on recoil pad it become quite enjoyable. for elk size game and and proper shot placement and it'll take the biggest NA game within 200 yards. remember. the british used this cartridge to take down every species of game in africa including elephants. now i wouldnt pick it as an elephant gun as my first choice for sure but it's been done many times. as to the 7.62X54Rmm it is very common hunting rifle in russia and they hunt polar bears with them. if you find a finnish made mosin nagant it takes the same cartridge but uses standard .308 diameter bullets