.303 brit. ammo--Bren gun only?
- Thread starter lister
- Start date
It doesn't. I'm just curious if it's the same "for Bren Gun" ammo that I have. If so, it's collectible, IMO. I'm sure you could sell it at a gunshow for enough money to buy an equal or greater amount of modern commercial.
Given that Brens were intended to use the same ammo as LEs and the sights are regulated for it, I'd have no concerns shooting it, as far as safety goes. It's probably corrosively primed, though.
Given that Brens were intended to use the same ammo as LEs and the sights are regulated for it, I'd have no concerns shooting it, as far as safety goes. It's probably corrosively primed, though.
Yeah, it was the Vickers that had high-pressure ammo for longer range, right?
I was also wondering about corrosive primers. what a PITA.
This stuff is stamped by ACME inc in Ontario(Canadian distributor), but the sticker has french and (maybe) Dutch, "for Bren", and made in Belgium.
So pressure-wise you guys figure it's safe to shoot?
If I can trade it at a gunshow for modern stuff, maybe I'll hang onto it, just so I don't have to clean out corrosives.
I was also wondering about corrosive primers. what a PITA.
This stuff is stamped by ACME inc in Ontario(Canadian distributor), but the sticker has french and (maybe) Dutch, "for Bren", and made in Belgium.
So pressure-wise you guys figure it's safe to shoot?
If I can trade it at a gunshow for modern stuff, maybe I'll hang onto it, just so I don't have to clean out corrosives.
The Mark VIIIz amunition for the Vickers was NOT some hot high pressure stuff. It was the design of the bullet with a boat tail and a far better ballistic coefficient that gave it the longer range.
Pressure for the normal Mark VII and similar rounds was between 19 and 20 tsi. Although the Mark VIIIZ produced a slightly higher pressure, 20-21 tsi compared with the 19.5 tsi of the Mark VII, rifles and Bren guns were proofed at 25 tsi and so it is well within the pressure limits.
"Pamphlet 11, Small Arms Ammunition" states that Ball Mark VIIIz may be used in rifles and Bren guns when less flash is required, e.g. at night.
Your ammunition is Belgian made by Fabrique Nationale and is perfectly safe to fire in an L-E. in good condition.
Regards
TonyE
Pressure for the normal Mark VII and similar rounds was between 19 and 20 tsi. Although the Mark VIIIZ produced a slightly higher pressure, 20-21 tsi compared with the 19.5 tsi of the Mark VII, rifles and Bren guns were proofed at 25 tsi and so it is well within the pressure limits.
"Pamphlet 11, Small Arms Ammunition" states that Ball Mark VIIIz may be used in rifles and Bren guns when less flash is required, e.g. at night.
Your ammunition is Belgian made by Fabrique Nationale and is perfectly safe to fire in an L-E. in good condition.
Regards
TonyE
Thanks Guys. Being on this site for a few years has made me paranoid, 5 years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about firing them!
On that note...anyone want to trade for non-corrosive? Even swap, I won't even charge for the "collectable" factor.
On that note...anyone want to trade for non-corrosive? Even swap, I won't even charge for the "collectable" factor.
Last edited:
The ammunition was possibly designated for Bren gun only so it could be used for suppressive "overhead fire" of live troops. After a certain date it would be downgraded to general service ammunition due to its age. During the second world war for example certain batches of .303 ball, had labels on the outer boxes stating "Not to be used in synchronized guns after ......." This was to ensure that deteriorated ammunition due to age, would not be used and end up shooting down their own airplane.
