I picked up an unopend box (48 rnds) of the wartime production .303 DIZ ammo at a gun show on Sunday. I know this is good ammo, but a little hot. I was told it was made for machine guns (Bren?), and the brass is reloadable. I believe it was made by Dominion Arsenals. Any idea of the value? Since I haven't opened it and didn't want to break the seals, I had to check if the box showed signs of mosture or damage. I'm glad to say it looks just fine. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
.303 Canadian military ball ammo value
- Thread starter LawrenceN
- Start date
This is .303 inch Ball Mark VIIz made by Defence Industries Ltd (DI), not Dominion Arsenal, and is loaded with nitrocellulose propellant (Z). It iwas not made specially for machine guns, and is made to the same spec. as any other Mark VII so is not any hotter.
I can't comment on value in Canada and although unopened boxes are always nice, I suspect it is worth no more than shooting ammo as there still seems to be quite a lot (in collectors' terms) about.
Regards
TonyE
I can't comment on value in Canada and although unopened boxes are always nice, I suspect it is worth no more than shooting ammo as there still seems to be quite a lot (in collectors' terms) about.
Regards
TonyE
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
there is no more of the stuff made its almost non existent and unopened ammo is even more rare and it is mk7 ball loaded with smokeless powder insted of cordite save it its a piece of history now put it on a shelf
I have a 360 round unopened can of this stuff in chargers, in bandoliers. I have an asking price on the can of $400. Everyone wants to open the can to see what it looks like inside. I tell them it will cost them $400 to open it. One guy at a show had to be asked to leave because he insisted on trying to open it.
Now, the whole package is cheap for what you get. The can still has the original stickers on it and is dated 1945. It was manufactured by Radway Green.
Pretty historical stuff. It's the last of half a pallet of a lot I bought back in mid 1970.
Everyone, wants to shoot this stuff, so they offer $200-$300 for the can. It's getting closer to my asking price, so I will have to put up the price on the can. It is after all a great magnet to my tables at gun shows.
Any self respecting shooter should have a 48 round, unopened package of 303Brit to go along with his/her rifles. More serious collectors, need a crate or an unopened can. Even if it's only used as a prop to hold a door open.
I've seen the 48 round boxes, depending on condition, go for an average of $35 for almost pristine down to $25 with ratty boxes. It all depends on the show.
Recently, I talked to a fellow that "says" he shoots over 500 rounds of surplus per year. None of which he's paid more than 30 cents a round for. I asked him when he last bought ammo. He said, 10 years ago, because he can't find any with decent prices any more. His shooting days are numbered.
boltonscouter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- parts unknown
I think you're thinking of the 303 stamped as 8Z that was HOT.
see http://ww w.dave-cushman.net/shot/303headstamps.html
cheers
Thanks Bearhunter, and the rest of you guys for the input. I have a whack of FNB .303 ball (300 rnds) that came out years ago and I've gotten into reloading, so I'm OK for now when it comes to ammo. I'd like to keep the box in pristine shape to sit along side the nice 1950 Long Branch No.4. I have. I know from the gun shows that milsurp ammo is getting scarce and pricey around these parts and even scarcer in other parts of the country.
That is a reasonable point, except that Defence Industries did not load any Mark VIIIz ammunition with the "universal" DIZ headstamp. The idea of this was that by using a universal headstamp for ball, tracer, incendiary etc., the tip colour would identify the round and by default any without a tip colour would be Ball Mark VII.
Furthermore, ball Mark VIIIz is not "HOT". It has a slightly higher velocity than Mark VII (2,550 v. 2,440 fps) and slightly higher pressure (20-21 v. 19.5 tsi) but since rifles are proofed at 25 tons this is well within spec. It was authorised for use in rifles and Bren guns when less flash was required, e.g. at night.
Also, that Cushman headstamp site is not the most reliable or accurate.
Regards
TonyE
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boltonscouter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- parts unknown
Sheesh!!! just trying to point a guy in the right direction! Never said DI made 8z just what Lawrence seemed to be referring to sounded like 8z
So what is the go to 303 head stamp website or reference??
That FNB ammo is Berdan primed. It is also very good ammunition. Almost as good as the Greek made stuff that came out just after it.
Depending on how much you have, 60 cents to 70 cents per round
Well Lawrence, Im not a collector of such fine things, so I wouldnt pay 5 cents ( the penny is gone) for anything 303.. but thats just me.
Granted, the venerable .303 British is not everyone's cup of tea. One should spend ones hard-earned money wherever one sees fit. Given the thousands of us who still use and love the old war horses, and the fact that quality surplus is steadily getting harder to find, should you ever stumble across some at 5 cents a round, let me know and I'll buy it all...but that's just me.
I think you missed my point.. the penny is becoming obsolete in Canada.. You'll make more money collecting pennies than anything in 303's and when you sell the coins, you can buy all the 303 ammo for cheap.. if you put youre pennies aside for it,... that is..
. Best of luck...
. Best of luck...
