Mk II and Mk VI .303 ammo

[Infanteer90]

I have 145 rounds of various round nose ammo that appears to be in serviceable condition. Question is, would it be safe to use in a No4 Enfield? I know that propellants were changed between the various cartridge marks, but I haven't read anywhere if this early ammo is suitable for use in the later models of Enfield rifles as it was originally intended for use in the SMLE. Muzzle velocity and chamber pressures for this ammo was lower than the Mk VII so I would think it should be safe, but I don't know if there is some other factor(s) to consider.

If I can't shoot it I'm sure that it would be interesting to some collectors out there...

 

[ATOM]

Safe, worth $$.

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but weren't all the .303 before the Mk7 Black powder rounds?

Edit: scratch that, answered my own question.

 

[Infanteer90]

Safe, worth $$.

So, what do you think... shoot some, sell some?

 

[green]

The MkII & VI were cordite loaded. When shooting this ammo in a rifle sighted for MkVII you need to set the sight to 600 yd to get a 100 yd zero.

 

[H4831]

The MkII & VI were cordite loaded. When shooting this ammo in a rifle sighted for MkVII you need to set the sight to 600 yd to get a 100 yd zero.

Sounds like someone sure gave you some bad advice!

 

[sunray]

"...before the Mk7 Black powder rounds..." No. Smokeless after 1891.
"...other factor(s) to consider..." Might be corrosively primed. Clean accordingly.
"...need to set the sight to..." Something isn't right with your sights.

 

[RRCo.]

It is safe to use, but you can expect many hangfires probably - not a very safe scenario.

It will probably nickel the bore.

It is collector ammo and is wasted being shot off.

 

[tiriaq]

You are talking about ammunition that is going to be 90-110 years old.
The primers might or might not fire. Brass can become brittle.
You would be far better off to sell or swap it off for some reasonably fresh ammunition.

 

[green]

As to my assertion on the sighting of arms for the .303" MkVI and VII ctg I have read this and actual shooting with SMLE, CLLE and Ross rifles with handloads duplicating the MkVI ctg, 215gr @ 2000fps, confirms it.

 

[Infanteer90]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I wouldn't mind selling this stuff to collectors but I'm sure that it would take an awfully long time to sell 145 rounds at one or two cartridges at a time.....

 

[smellie]

Yeah, green is right again. It has to do with barrel vibration versus muzzle velocity.

There is a write-up on it in the TEXT BOOK OF SMALL ARMS - 1909. Spark-gap photos of barrels actually vibrating, too: pretty darned advanced for a century ago.

I wrote up a lengthy thing to go in this space, but the %$$&* machine ATE IT!

Not impressed.