Ammo source for 14.5mm PTRD?

Are the cartridge specifications available? Is there a close enough piece of modern brass that could be formed, necked, trimmed, etc? What about projectiles?
The prices that I saw sure make them expensive wallhangers.
 
Threemorewishes said:
Are the cartridge specifications available? Is there a close enough piece of modern brass that could be formed, necked, trimmed, etc? What about projectiles?
The prices that I saw sure make them expensive wallhangers.
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The case is huge - think can of Red Bull. There are also no primers available. Bullets can be made from brass or copper rod.
 
There is the odd round of MG ammuntion in cartridge collector circles. Problem is that most MG ammunition is APIT, and therefore prohibited ammunition (the "I" part). IF a quanity of this could be located, PERHAPS it could be rebulleted with inert projectiles. PERHAPS caseheads could be machined and fitted with an insert to accept the readily available (sure) .50 primer. Doubt that 14.5 is on the approved list for importation. Maybe empty, unprimed cases could be brought in. At least this would provide a starting point.
In other words ammunition supply is a problem.
 
Google Big Sky Surplus. They list reloading stuff for 14.5mm. I've never dealt with them. I don't know what would be involved in getting primers or brass over the border.
 
brianp said:
Google Big Sky Surplus. They list reloading stuff for 14.5mm. I've never dealt with them. I don't know what would be involved in getting primers or brass over the border.
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As Mr Spock said, "There are always possiblities!"
 
Dont have the details ATM, but there is a company in the US that makes casings that are of a steel like alloy (IIRC) with very thick walls, the purpose of which is to last a long time and to never need to be reformed. Might be something to look into.
 
john@ said:
Dont have the details ATM, but there is a company in the US that makes casings that are of a steel like alloy (IIRC) with very thick walls, the purpose of which is to last a long time and to never need to be reformed. Might be something to look into.
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You will never get an export permit.
 
Thats interesting I was not aware reloading components were not allowed to be exported from the US. What are the rules about that?

I was actually suggesting that if you are going to machine your own casings, to consider making them from something that will not deform (rather than brass). You have a lot of volume to play with, and if you do not need to shoot out to maximum range with the ability to penetrate metal plate, you dont have to fill it all with propellant. Thicker custom casings, less volume, less powder, smaller projectile, should make it more affordable to shoot. Probbly easier to shoot also.
 
Components = ammo for export purposes in the US. Anything over 50 call is a destructive device and reqires a whole other level or paperwork.

We are working on ammo for the 14.5, even maybe a 14.5 rifle. But the issue is sales volume, lack of it, in Canada.
 
CanAm said:
We are working on ammo for the 14.5, even maybe a 14.5 rifle. But the issue is sales volume, lack of it, in Canada.
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I would love a PTRD, ever since I first saw it. But lack of ammo was what kept me from ordering one when they were first around. I can't bring myself to buy a rifle I won't shoot.
 
CanAm said:
We are working on ammo for the 14.5, even maybe a 14.5 rifle. But the issue is sales volume, lack of it, in Canada.
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If you ever do bring some ammo in I'll definitely have to send a few paycheques your way. Everyone I know wants to fire the PTRD but I'm down to my last shell .
 
Could ammunition be disassembled offshore, and the cases and powder imported? It could then be remanufactured in this country with inert projectiles. Obviously this would be expensive ammunition, and there would be a serious liability issue. Perhaps primed cases, powder and bullets could be sold as components to be handloaded by the buyer.
 
tiriaq said:
Could ammunition be disassembled offshore, and the cases and powder imported? It could then be remanufactured in this country with inert projectiles. Obviously this would be expensive ammunition, and there would be a serious liability issue. Perhaps primed cases, powder and bullets could be sold as components to be handloaded by the buyer.
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Demilling ammo overseas usually means burning. I don't know of any pulldown facilties, especially in the countries with ammo. Lubben may have it but I think even they burn it. If only we could sell APIT to you plebs it wouldn't be an issue.
 
Lots of places in the statse make small runs of custom cases, but alas, you can't easily export something taking a 1.45mm projectile :(

Best bet might be to get a current 14.5 maker to do a production run with normal projectiles. Preferably a factory already approved for import to Canada like Privi, S&B or one of the Russian outfits.

Also, anyone with a hobby lathe, some skill, and the ability to anneal and form the cases (assuming forming dies exist) could probably make something workable.

You'd start with a brass bar, bore it out, cut the base groove and primer pocket, anneal, then form the brass. You'd have to re-anneal it after every firing to keep it from splitting too readily. Might even be better to make it from mild steel instead of brass. To anneal mild steel, you eliminate the quench and allow the necks to air cool.
 
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The current ammunition is all steel cased. Turning and forming might not be impossible, but it could be problematic. I've made cases for obsolete black powder rounds, but the 14.5 case is something else again. A special run by a current manufacturer might be the best option, but quantity and cost would be real issues.
 
One problem is that neither Prvi, nor S&B make 14.5. Outside of Russia 14.5 is generally make at large caliber factories, ie artillery shells. In FY that is Sloboda, they want a minimum run of 50k rounds.
 
If you think about it - if there are 50 PTRD owners in Canada (which there are), 50K rounds is 1K rounds per person, which isn't unheard of. It could be economically viable to import.
 
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