war dated 303 ammo
- Thread starter next_of_kin
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That's a tough one... I have shot 50 rounds of WWII DAC (Canadian) ammo, and it was outstandingly accurate (consistent 2" groups at 100m, and I am no "sharpshooter"!). I found a second bandolier of the same stuff at a show, and I just... can't... bring myself... to... shoot it!!!
Beauty is in the trigger finger of the bandolier holder?
Beauty is in the trigger finger of the bandolier holder?
Most of the WWII stuff has completely dried up. So has most of the stuff loaded in the 50s and 60s.
Every once in a while, there will be a bit of surplus Greek, South African or even Turkish stuff around. I've also heard of Indian surplus in the states.
Dureing WWII millions of rounds of 303Brit were loaded in the US, Canada, Australia and India for use in the European and Asian theatres of war.
After the war, there must have been several other countries that loaded the stuff as well. The lend lease and surplus Lee Enfields of all models, made their way into armies all over the world and on every continent in the world.
I have a friend that has several hundred different headstamps in his collection. He figures that his collection is nowhere even near being complete.
From what I can gather, late 20s to late 30s are the hardest headstamps to come by as well as 1900 - 1913 manufacture. It seems like the Brits and their colonies were in a penny pinching mood so not much ammo was ordered. Again only hearsay on my part.
The WWII stuff in bandoliers and chargers would be collectible and command a premium over individual rounds IMHO, especially for someone looking to round out a display or an authentic collection.
About 15 years ago I came accross a black, sardine style, can in a secondhand store with gov't labels all over it depicting it as 1943 produced 303Brit in 5 round chargers, 50/bandolier, 400 round count/container.
I gave them $20 for it, pretty much fair at the time as there was still plenty of surplus stuff around.
It will only get harder to come by every year. Shoot it if you want, it's more likely than not to be corrosive primed and that's a hassle in itself.
I wonder if there will be any Pakistani surplus 303 comeing onto the market? If it's as good as the surplus rifles that are available right now, I would definitely be up for a coule of cases of that.
bearhunter
Every once in a while, there will be a bit of surplus Greek, South African or even Turkish stuff around. I've also heard of Indian surplus in the states.
Dureing WWII millions of rounds of 303Brit were loaded in the US, Canada, Australia and India for use in the European and Asian theatres of war.
After the war, there must have been several other countries that loaded the stuff as well. The lend lease and surplus Lee Enfields of all models, made their way into armies all over the world and on every continent in the world.
I have a friend that has several hundred different headstamps in his collection. He figures that his collection is nowhere even near being complete.
From what I can gather, late 20s to late 30s are the hardest headstamps to come by as well as 1900 - 1913 manufacture. It seems like the Brits and their colonies were in a penny pinching mood so not much ammo was ordered. Again only hearsay on my part.
The WWII stuff in bandoliers and chargers would be collectible and command a premium over individual rounds IMHO, especially for someone looking to round out a display or an authentic collection.
About 15 years ago I came accross a black, sardine style, can in a secondhand store with gov't labels all over it depicting it as 1943 produced 303Brit in 5 round chargers, 50/bandolier, 400 round count/container.
I gave them $20 for it, pretty much fair at the time as there was still plenty of surplus stuff around.
It will only get harder to come by every year. Shoot it if you want, it's more likely than not to be corrosive primed and that's a hassle in itself.
I wonder if there will be any Pakistani surplus 303 comeing onto the market? If it's as good as the surplus rifles that are available right now, I would definitely be up for a coule of cases of that.
bearhunter
It would only be of any collector interest if the box is unopened.
If its opened , shoot away.
You won't be able to easily reload the brass as it is not Boxer primed.
I saw some boxes of it (not sure of the year) at the Salmon Arm gun show last month. I think he wanted $26.00 a box.
If its opened , shoot away.
You won't be able to easily reload the brass as it is not Boxer primed.
I saw some boxes of it (not sure of the year) at the Salmon Arm gun show last month. I think he wanted $26.00 a box.
The primer measures 1/4" in diameter (not the big one is it?). There is only 22 shells in the already opened box. some marked 1942 DI VII Z
And some marked GB1944 VII One is marked WRA 1941 303.
If any (or all) of those are better off left alone and not put to use, let me know.
"...some marked..." It's a box of mixed manufacture and year. The 'DI' is Defence Industries Montreal. 'GB' is Greenwood and Batley Ltd, England.
'WRA' is Winchester.
The 'VII' is likely left over brass loaded as a wartime expedient. VII ammo was replaced in 1938 with VIII ammo. The difference is the bullet. VIII ammo used a 175 grain BT bullet. VII used a 174 FB bullet.
"...not the big one is it?..." Yep. Berdan primed. It's not worth a great deal, now, but it's not being made either.
'WRA' is Winchester.
The 'VII' is likely left over brass loaded as a wartime expedient. VII ammo was replaced in 1938 with VIII ammo. The difference is the bullet. VIII ammo used a 175 grain BT bullet. VII used a 174 FB bullet.
"...not the big one is it?..." Yep. Berdan primed. It's not worth a great deal, now, but it's not being made either.
Well, now that I know what I'm dealing with, I'm just goona keep the stuff. By the sounds of what everyone has told me, I think I'm better off just startin out fresh with some modern 303 rounds. NOW...can anyone tell me where I can get 303 ammo by the case or some other large anmount? I know that stuff ain't cheap, and I don't think buying a dozen single boxes of 20 is going to be the most cost effective way to go. I'm in BC. Any leads are much appreciated.
"...where I can get 303 ammo by the case..." Try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best first. Remember that Lee-Enfield barrels are not all the same diameter. They can measure between .311" and .315" and be considered ok. Slug the barrel then use the closest diameter bullet. Most factory ammo uses a .310" or .312" bullet. A .312" bullet in a .314" barrel won't shoot very well. It's not unsafe, just inaccurate.
When you say "slug the barrel", are you talking strictly trial and error with different brands, or gettin a measurement of my barrel diameter from a gunsmith? I do have easy access to a gunsmith.
I'm defenitely goona be reloading my brass (after I get the equipment and take a class on how to do that).
Lee Enfield
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MkVIII ball was for Vickers ect MGs, not rifle use.
MkVII ball was the standard ball for rifles. It was never superceded or replaced.
Having said that, for some reason @pre-1980 Canada seems to have standardized on MkVIII for the Rangers.
Oh yeah, it should be added that while SOME Canadian produced .303 is Non-corrosive, the vast majority of .303 (and ALL British) is corrosive.
Wartime US produced small arms ammunition .303, .30-06, .45ACP is almost certainly corrosive, the only exception being .30Carbine.
All the HXP is non corrosive as was the Italian made blank for the UK cadets.
I did have a lot of RG57 MkV11z and it was easy to clean using a 50/50 mix of water and youngs .303 for a quick swab out followed by normal non corrosive cleaning practices!
I did have a lot of RG57 MkV11z and it was easy to clean using a 50/50 mix of water and youngs .303 for a quick swab out followed by normal non corrosive cleaning practices!
