The .303/22, sometimes known as the .22/303, is a
wildcat
The wildcat is a species complex comprising two small wild cat species: the European wildcat (''Felis silvestris'') and the African wildcat (''F. lybica''). The European wildcat inhabits forests in Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus, while th ...
centrefire
Two rounds of .357 Magnum, a centerfire cartridge; notice the circular primer in the center
A centerfire cartridge is a firearm metallic cartridge whose primer is located at the center of the base of its casing (i.e. "case head"). Unlike rim ...
rifle cartridge based on the
.303 British
The .303 British (designated as the 303 British by the C.I.P. and SAAMI) or 7.7×56mmR, is a calibre rimmed rifle cartridge. The .303 inch bore diameter is measured between rifling lands as is the common practice in Europe which follows th ...
, necked down to fire a .224 projectile, originating in
Australia in the 1930s as a cartridge for
sporterised rifles, particularly on the
Lee–Enfield
The Lee–Enfield or Enfield is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that served as the main firearm of the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century, and was the British Army's sta ...
action. Similar versions also appeared in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
around the same time.
The .303/22 was very popular for a number of reasons, one being that the .22 caliber was better suited to small game than the .303, the rifles were cheap and plentiful, and in
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
ownership of military cartridges was
severely restricted. Several versions existed, including the full length Falcon, the shortened Sprinter, the even shorter Wasp, the Varmint-R, and many others. Although Lee–Enfields were the most common, conversion of other rifles mostly suited to rimmed cartridges such as
P14 Enfield,
Martini–Enfield
Martini–Enfield rifles were, by and large, conversions of the Zulu War era .577/450 Martini–Henry, rechambering the rifle for use with the newly introduced .303 British cartridge. Whilst most Martini–Enfields were converted rifles, a numbe ...
,
1885 and
1895 Winchesters were often seen, as well as
98 and
96 Mausers.
Loaded ammunition and brass was produced by the Super Cartridge Company, Riverbrand, ICI and
Sportco, some using new
Boxer primed cases, others using military
Berdan primed cases. Cases can be formed simply by necking down .303 British brass available from Remington, Federal, Winchester,
Sellier & Bellot
Sellier & Bellot is a firearms ammunition manufacturer situated in Vlašim, Czech Republic. It is a subsidiary of the Brazilian company CBC.
Foundation
Sellier & Bellot was founded on August 5, 1825 by a German businessman of French ...
and others. Reloading dies are made by most larger manufacturers, like RCBS, CH and Simplex.
Jansa Arms Co – Australia
/ref>
Variants
303/22 Wasp 1.97", 303/22 Varment R. 2.031", 303/22 Sprinter 2.100", 303/22 2.185", 303/22 Shannon 2.222", 303/22 Rocket (aka. 22/4000) unknown case length.
See also
* .22-06
* .303/25
*Lee–Enfield
The Lee–Enfield or Enfield is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that served as the main firearm of the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century, and was the British Army's sta ...
*List of rifle cartridges
List of rifle cartridges, by primer type, calibre and name.
File:Cartridge Sample 2.jpg, 350px, From left to right: 1 .17 HM2,2 .17 HMR, 2.5 .17 wsm, 3 .22LR, 4 .22 WMR, 5 .17/23 SMc, 6 5mm/35 SMc, 7 .22 Hornet, 8 .223 Remington, 9 .223 WSSM, ...
*Sporterising
Sporterising, sporterisation or sporterization is the practice of modifying military-type firearms either to make them suitable for civilian sporting use or to make them legal under the law.
Modifying for sporting use
Modifying for sporting use c ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:.303 22
22 303
Wildcat cartridges