Lindcott Armory Compare / .303 British vs .303 Magnum
Cartridge comparison
.303 British vs .303 Magnum
.303 Magnum is faster (2,900 vs 2,690 fps); .303 Magnum carries more energy (3,358 vs 2,600 ft·lb); .303 British recoils less.
.303 British →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.303 Magnum →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .303 British | .303 Magnum | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1889 | 1896 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.311″ | 0.312″ |
| Case length | 2.222″ | 2.85″ |
| Velocity | 2,440–2,690 fps | 2,600–2,900 fps |
| Energy | 2,400–2,600 ft·lb | 2,252–3,358 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 49,000 psi | 48,000 psi |
| Recoil | 16–22 ft·lb | 18–25 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 600 yd | 500 yd |
FAQs
- Is .303 British faster than .303 Magnum?
- .303 Magnum is faster — up to 2,900 fps versus 2,690 fps.
- Does .303 British hit harder than .303 Magnum?
- .303 Magnum carries more muzzle energy (3,358 vs 2,600 ft·lb).