Need help identifying brass

D

DFarmer

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Fraser Valley, B.C.
I received probably 200 brass in a package deal that were thrown in as extras and I don't know what calibre they are. They were formed from .303 British brass. They are straight sided or very slightly tapered from base to mouth. Overall length is 53 to 54mm. Mouth diameter is 10 mm. The fellow whose estate they came from had both a milling machine and a lathe so who knows what he could make.

I am curious as some of them are primed.
Thanks
Gord
 
I am wondering if they were resized for the Indian .410 shotgun rounds? They had a SMLE No 1 Mk III bored to .410 for guard use..... Sounds like that's what they may be.....
 
"...who knows..." Yep. Some guys, especially machinists, do all kinds of stuff. No firearms in the estate?
53 to 54 is a bit short. Only a few thou though.
 
I know some of the old .40's can be made from 303 brass. 40-60 or similar.

If they did not come specifically for a particular rifle and you aren't certain what they are you might as well just turf them.
 
The 303 was made into countless wildcats over the years.
10mm = 40 cal. close enough to shoot.
a 303-40? sure would be interesting to see the rifle.
Ballistics probably quite a bit better than the 38-55. Problem getting decent 40 cal bullets.
I suggest you kill the primers with a long soak in penetrating oil. (fill the case) or decap them. If I were closer I'd be happy to do it for you.
Then you have a conversation piece.
 
Were they altered from formed .303 cases, or are they unfinished cases which were never necked down?
I have some unfinished Cdn. cases that look just like what you are describing.
They could be useful for Indian smoothbore SMLEs.
A .303 or .30-40 Krag can be used to make cases for .40-65 Sharps Straight, although they are a bit short. Or, they could be for a wildcat. No reason to chuck them, they should be useful for someone.
 
I have blown out cases like that to form a short version of the 40-65 sharps straight. They are about .1" short but they work and are a lot cheaper than basic brass.

cheers mooncoon
 
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