.55 Boys Ammo Sources

A

agentcq

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Now that I have the parts to make my Boys operational, I need to find a source for ammo.

I know 50 cal brass can be converted to .55 Boys ammo. In Australia a gent even sells ammunition commercially.

Does anyone do this here in Canada???

I could probably do the loading myself, but the cost of a 50 cal press/dies combined with how little I am actually going to shoot this rifle makes me think it would cost far less to purchased a few rounds.
My other option is to keep the replacement .55 barrel unissued with the rifle and have Elwood Epps convert a M2 barrel making the rifle 50 cal (conversion would cost me less than a press/dies). This might be the best option, as you could always switch the barrel back to the original calibre as bolt modifications are not required, and one could find 50 cal ammo for shooting on a regular basis.

However, the thought of shooting the original calibre sounds pretty sweet...
 
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Damn you missed it!There was a fellow on here a couple of days ago that sold I think maybe 30 rounds.He still had some brass and projectiles,check the ammo and reloading forum.
 
I can't help with your ammo across the water, but can we spell Captain BOYS name correctly please.

Regards
TonyE
 
there is no sorce any orinigal ammo should not be shot its worth alot most as a collectible ive seen round go from $45 to $200 a piece depending on what type it is also it has crappy british primers

.50 bmg cses converted to .55 cases need to be fire formed to your gun by feeding it up from the ejection port into the extractor and ejector claws closing the bolt and pulling the trigger after that you neck size only that means the price of dies you seen you have to add more to it to get a neck size die also bullets that are here are soild brass turned bullets around 650gr but they are about .003" size big problem with soild brass bullets

dont convert it to .50 bmg ive seen way more .50 conversions then id like to searching for a .55 (BTW still loking for a .55 cant find one anywhere for a non crazy price) even for a .50 conversion you still need .50 dies and everything to load for it you never know when the ammo will become scarce again
 
A friend had one and after 5 year's looking for ammo converted it to 50 cal.
Turned the barrel to original barrel profile and re-installed the muzzle brake.
It's a lot more fun now.
 
TonyE said:
I can't help with your ammo across the water, but can we spell Captain BOYS name correctly please.

Regards
TonyE
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Tony:
Both Martyn and Mick had a sh*tload of the stuff but it is/was section 5 in the UK and it could not be moved. I need some as well.
cheers,
W
 
Lee Classic Cast press is big enough; it comes with a set of BMG dies from Factory Sales about $150.

Cast you own slugs from hard lead (.562", 900 grains) and raise the body with 2 files, then lube with Lee's Liquid Alox.

Convert BMG brass. The dies that come with the press can be reworked for the belt and opened out for the Neck. Reamer is the tool.

Real slow powder: 5010 or 8700.

Reloading like this will cost you a buck and a half a shot. LOTS better than $9 a shot for BMG or $40 a round for dodgy original stuff.
 
smellie said:
Lee Classic Cast press is big enough; it comes with a set of BMG dies from Factory Sales about $150.

Cast you own slugs from hard lead (.562", 900 grains) and raise the body with 2 files, then lube with Lee's Liquid Alox.

Convert BMG brass. The dies that come with the press can be reworked for the belt and opened out for the Neck. Reamer is the tool.

Real slow powder: 5010 or 8700.

Reloading like this will cost you a buck and a half a shot. LOTS better than $9 a shot for BMG or $40 a round for dodgy original stuff.
Click to expand...

lee classic cast is not big enough the cheapest press that you can get for the 1 1/2" dies is the ammo master 2

cast would work ok in the boys with a lighter load but as you get bigger in size cast can take more pressure so of corse slugging the barrel would be best

i got load data from the aussie guy that i can dig up but he uses a bit faster powder id use h50 or something too you could use .50 bmg load data with jacketed bullets he says theres not lot of power there though
 
I saw the 55 bullets available from a Canadian dealer recently. I believe they were imported from Australia.

There was a stripper clip of 5 rounds for $150 at the Brandon gun show. That works out to under $30 a round. Quite shootable at that price. It is the kind of gun you shoot once or twice, keep a few rounds on hand in case the cubans attack, but otherwise you keep it in the gun room and just take it out for displays. Also, you get to tell the tale of the ferocious kick, and if you have the round muzzle brake, about the size of the stuff thrown back at you.

I have mine converted to 50 cal, and it is not any less impressive than the .55 originals. The .55 likely penetrates hardened steel plated better (my original gun in .55 would go through 1-1/4 BP plate) but otherwise, just being behind it is thrill enough. I can buy complete cartridges at only $6 each, and when they are gone I can go and buy some more.

If you want the lead on the stripper clip of 5 rds of ammo at $150, PM me and I can find who the dealer was.
 
stencollector said:
I saw the 55 bullets available from a Canadian dealer recently. I believe they were imported from Australia.

There was a stripper clip of 5 rounds for $150 at the Brandon gun show. That works out to under $30 a round. Quite shootable at that price. It is the kind of gun you shoot once or twice, keep a few rounds on hand in case the cubans attack, but otherwise you keep it in the gun room and just take it out for displays. Also, you get to tell the tale of the ferocious kick, and if you have the round muzzle brake, about the size of the stuff thrown back at you.

I have mine converted to 50 cal, and it is not any less impressive than the .55 originals. The .55 likely penetrates hardened steel plated better (my original gun in .55 would go through 1-1/4 BP plate) but otherwise, just being behind it is thrill enough. I can buy complete cartridges at only $6 each, and when they are gone I can go and buy some more.

If you want the lead on the stripper clip of 5 rds of ammo at $150, PM me and I can find who the dealer was.
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tthose are the bullets i speek of they are woodleigh but they are .003" over size and need o be turned down id also anneal the heck out of them

from what i hear its best not to shoot the old stuff good for display but as most of us know british primers are shotty at best even when they where made (in ww2 the brits loved canadian made mk 7 ball)

i think you have or had 2 right stencollector (i atleast hope you kept the .55 barrels) for me in .55 it would not be a daily shooter but maybe once a month or so shoot a few rounds
 
Nothing wrong with shooting old bullets. I shot several dozen of them in my first Boys rifle. I did have some misfires when it was cold, but it was the grease in the bolt that would thicken up in the winter and cause weak primer strikes. Once cleaned up, the gun and ammunition worked flawlessly.
 
stencollector said:
Nothing wrong with shooting old bullets. I shot several dozen of them in my first Boys rifle. I did have some misfires when it was cold, but it was the grease in the bolt that would thicken up in the winter and cause weak primer strikes. Once cleaned up, the gun and ammunition worked flawlessly.
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when there is next to nothing left yes then it may be a good idea not to shoot ammo of this sort .55 boys is right on the verg of being there although already fire casings are free game they need some work be they can be converted to .50 bmg primers (they are already the same size but berdan)

if i get some extra money this year im buying a lathe and a big press make a few different types of these odd ball anti tanke rifle casings
 
Claven2 said:
Out of curiosity, how did you get around the ground bolt you had? Is it repaired, or did you find a new bolt?
Click to expand...

I have a mint/unissued bolt in hand, thanks to another member of CGN. It has some very, very slight surface rust (bronze wool/oil will clean up upon break down) but other than that, I don't think the bolt has seen a chamber. If you have any Bren Carrier parts/tools, let me know, I owe this Gent a HUGE favor...

Stencollector - I feel criminal shooting old ammo and with MG34 experience, it can be right doggey!!! I honestly have too large of a collection with too many firearms unfired. Sadly, the employment that buys the toys doesn't allow time to enjoy them. So, in a perfect world, I see taking a few rounds a year at best.

I have been in contact with the Australian dealer (ex-Canadian Patriot) and if someone was willing to provide an import permit he can export at $20.00 a round which will equal $35.00 once in country. He speaks against Woodleigh bullets (carried by Trade-ex, no fowl on Trade-ex's part), the oversize issue I believe is a Woodleigh issue???

50 Cal may be the way to go?
 
smellie said:
Lee Classic Cast press is big enough; it comes with a set of BMG dies from Factory Sales about $150.

Cast you own slugs from hard lead (.562", 900 grains) and raise the body with 2 files, then lube with Lee's Liquid Alox.

Convert BMG brass. The dies that come with the press can be reworked for the belt and opened out for the Neck. Reamer is the tool.

Real slow powder: 5010 or 8700.

Reloading like this will cost you a buck and a half a shot. LOTS better than $9 a shot for BMG or $40 a round for dodgy original stuff.
Click to expand...


Do you have any pics of a cast slug for the .55? Started work on a mold cherry over the holidays. Right length and should come in right around 850 grains. would like to see what other people have done.
 
agentcq said:
I have a mint/unissued bolt in hand, thanks to another member of CGN. It has some very, very slight surface rust (bronze wool/oil will clean up upon break down) but other than that, I don't think the bolt has seen a chamber. If you have any Bren Carrier parts/tools, let me know, I owe this Gent a HUGE favor...

Stencollector - I feel criminal shooting old ammo and with MG34 experience, it can be right doggey!!! I honestly have too large of a collection with too many firearms unfired. Sadly, the employment that buys the toys doesn't allow time to enjoy them. So, in a perfect world, I see taking a few rounds a year at best.

I have been in contact with the Australian dealer (ex-Canadian Patriot) and if someone was willing to provide an import permit he can export at $20.00 a round which will equal $35.00 once in country. He speaks against Woodleigh bullets (carried by Trade-ex, no fowl on Trade-ex's part), the oversize issue I believe is a Woodleigh issue???

50 Cal may be the way to go?
Click to expand...

yes he does talk down of the woodleigh bullets like i said a simple turning to make them .562 would work ok id also anneal them well this mite take more then a propane torch he also makes bullet or has them made out of copper i got his drawing of it if i can find someone with a cnc lathe to turn the up in bulk id get them made also there is a company making jacketed bullets with a copper jacket over in AUS too i'll try to find them again
 
@The Frogge:

I don't have a rifle, just want to make up some rounds for fun. My idea was to do this on the super-cheap, just put 2 aluminum blocks together, dowel-pin them, d&t for handles and then drill between them with a 9/16 drill. Possibly later mod a 9/16 drill to provide a pointier projectile. Finishing would have been even cheaper: lay the slug on a crosscut file and put another on top, roll the slug until you have the parallel surface slightly raised in checkers, lube it with Liquid Alox and shoot it.

I was thinking more in terms of Absolute Post-SHTF Screaming Emergency use but then realised that it also could make cheap plinking ammo....... if you can possibly call shooting a Boys' Rifle plinking! Just think of those poor little defenceless PzKpw Is!

Hope this helps.
 
smellie said:
@The Frogge:

I don't have a rifle, just want to make up some rounds for fun. My idea was to do this on the super-cheap, just put 2 aluminum blocks together, dowel-pin them, d&t for handles and then drill between them with a 9/16 drill. Possibly later mod a 9/16 drill to provide a pointier projectile. Finishing would have been even cheaper: lay the slug on a crosscut file and put another on top, roll the slug until you have the parallel surface slightly raised in checkers, lube it with Liquid Alox and shoot it.

I was thinking more in terms of Absolute Post-SHTF Screaming Emergency use but then realised that it also could make cheap plinking ammo....... if you can possibly call shooting a Boys' Rifle plinking! Just think of those poor little defenceless PzKpw Is!

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

for me it would be poor defenceless import cars lol
 
@smellie

Sounds a little easier than what I was thinking.
My plan started with turning a random peice of steel until it looked like a bullet, then making a mold.
My peice of steel was annealed but still hardened while turning, hd to use a carbide cutter to finish and a lot of file work when it broke my last bit.
Still have to finish then make a mold and gaschecks.
DSCF22671_zps07c58ee0.jpg
 
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