Help IDing 303 Brit ammo.

PoFF

PoFF

Regular
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Location
Quebec
I've purchased a batch of .303 British FMJ ammo at a bargain price. Headstamp is 'K' at 12 o'clock and '67' at 6 o'clock. I've pulled one bullet, the weight is 177 grains, which could mean it's a hi-174 grains or a low-180 grains. Powder is 'pencil-lead' like, and the primer is very-large (larger than a Large Rifle Primer).

The K either means Kyhoch (Imperial Cartridge Company) which would most likely be non-corrosive, or the K could also mean it's from an Indian factory, which would be corrosive.

I'd like some help to determing wether it's corrosive or not. Thanks in advance.
 
By "pencil-lead" do you mean long sticks or short little pieces?
Long sticks would be cordite, but I don't know when cordite was last used to make ammunition.
The large primer is a Berdan primer (2 flash holes in the brass), not all of them are corrosive.
 
"K" at the 12 o'clock and "year" at the six, no other markings, indicate made in Sweden, Karlsborg Ammunition Factory.

Ammunition made in India are usually marked " K, arrow symbol pointed upwards, F " at the 12 o'clock, calibre at the 7 and year at the 4 o'clock, which is made at the Kirkee Arsenal

The above info from " Small Calibre Ammunition Identification Guide " US Army 1981.

What was bargain price ? Any more?
 
Last edited:
PoFF said:
I've purchased a batch of .303 British FMJ ammo at a bargain price. Headstamp is 'K' at 12 o'clock and '67' at 6 o'clock. I've pulled one bullet, the weight is 177 grains, which could mean it's a hi-174 grains or a low-180 grains. Powder is 'pencil-lead' like, and the primer is very-large (larger than a Large Rifle Primer).

The K either means Kyhoch (Imperial Cartridge Company) which would most likely be non-corrosive, or the K could also mean it's from an Indian factory, which would be corrosive.

I'd like some help to determing wether it's corrosive or not. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

If the primer is real large, then it is berdan, and could likely be corrosive, although not always. Pencil lead like powder may very well be IMR-16 which a lot of 303 ammo was loaded with during the war. It was later changed to IMR-3031 for commercial use.
 
Svc said:
"

The above info from " Small Calibre Ammunition Identification Guide " US Army 1981.
Click to expand...


This book (2 volumes actually) can be downloaded in pdf format from a site I set up.

http://www.gmail.com

username: antitankgun

password: bigboomer

click on All Mail on the left side, look for ammo books

You're welcome
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom