303 Surplus ammo, corrosive?

[big bear]

303 Brit ammo , White Box labelled CAINA COMPANY, Ottawa
303 Brit Lot14 Grade 1 , Reloadable

Cartridge head stamp: 1943 DI Z

Corrosive I presume(?) country of origin?

 

[tiriaq]

Defence Industries, Canada, non-corrosive, Boxer primed.

 

[big bear]

Thanks!

 

[B]

I have seen more of that headstamp than any other as far as surplus .303. It's decent and I can confirm the brass is good to reload.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

DI Z as mentioned is Canadian, and I was led to believe always loaded with noncorrosive primers. The plants were making commercial hunting ammunition before the war, and it made no sense to regress just because someone in UK hadn't improved their specifications. Canada had also been making 303BR service ammunition since about 1905.

 

[Light Infantry]

So how far back is Canadian 303 non-corrosive? or was it non, from the start in 1905?

 

[reddog9x19]

Great thread! Thank you!

 

[FreedomIsn'tFree]

I would sure like to see some cheap 303 British again.

 

[tiriaq]

So how far back is Canadian 303 non-corrosive? or was it non, from the start in 1905?

Until the recent IVI headstamped Ranger ammunition was produced, all Canadian .303 ammunition was corrosive, except for the Boxer primed DI.
The primer is the giveaway. If it is the large 1/4" diameter cap, it is Berdan, corrosive.
DI also made US .30-06 and .30 M-1 carbine non-corrosive ammunition. I think it was about the only n-c .30-06 made at the time. All US made .30 Carbine was n-c. DI 9mm is also n-c.

As far as .303 service ammunition produced elsewhere, assume corrosive, regardless of primer size. Some may be non-corrosive, but don't count on it.
It is my understanding that Greek HXP is n-c Boxer, but I have never seen any in Canada.

 

[B]

It is my understanding that Greek HXP is n-c Boxer, but I have never seen any in Canada.

I have a bunch of HXP brass but I haven't seen any loaded ammunition in Canada. I seem to recall John from Marstar securing a bunch but then sending it to the US to sell it quicker. Quite a lot of salty folks after that.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Until the recent IVI headstamped Ranger ammunition was produced, all Canadian .303 ammunition was corrosive, except for the Boxer primed DI.

...

OK, but just about all the commonly circulating .303BR made in Canada is DI.

 

[howard2]

I have a bunch of HXP brass but I haven't seen any loaded ammunition in Canada. I seem to recall John from Marstar securing a bunch but then sending it to the US to sell it quicker. Quite a lot of salty folks after that.

I still have some Greek 303 in green cloth bandoleers from the late 80's or very early 90's. I kinda thought it was from Century arms. I remember someone at the Brandon gun show selling it if i recall correctly.