Warning!!

[Ganderite]

I gave an ammo collector the old ammo I posted last week. he called to tell me that the box of CIL sporting ammo was half full of proof rounds. I had noted that the box was half military, half CIL, but did not know it was proof ammo.

303 proof rounds are copper washed. A good reason to sell old milsurp at the gun show to collectors, rather than shooting it off.

Next time I see him I will take some pictures of the 303 proof rounds.

 

[smellie]

Thank you, Ganderite!

Military .303" Proof rounds: copper-washed case, cartridge designation on the headstamp includes "Q". Example: DA C-broad-arrow 1943 QI.

Note that NORMA Proof rounds have a REEDED rim (like the edge of a quarter). Picked one up in a junk box at a gun show. Otherwise, the round appeared normal.

GERMAN Prof rounds had GREEN lacquered steel cases, boxes marked prominently "BESCHUSS".

Again, Ganderite, thank you. Important point.
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[Ioncannon]

What is the definition of "proof round"?

 

[DOOK]

"A proof is a proof!"

Proof rounds are used to test the guns strength before releasing it for sale, or use usually by the manufacturer.
If it can take a proof round without damage, or distortion, it should be good to go with regular loads.
You don't want to shoot them for fun.

 

[ghostntheshell]

Wow. Good to know.

 

[smellie]

Proof rounds are good things not to get mixed in with your shootin' ammo, ESPECIALLY your handgun shootin' ammo.

A Luger pistol is one of the most utterly SOLID guns ever made. It was designed to handle TWO (2) rounds of Proof ammo. The Walther P-38 was designed to handle ONE (1) Proof round.

And those were both ALL-STEEL guns.

You don't want to put an aluminum-framed pistol onto a steady diet of those rounds.

Webley revolvers were designed to handle a single Proof round in each chamber, but even the Proof pressure was far BELOW the regular pressure of the .45ACP which some people are running in the poor old things.

Proving the early Lee-Enfield rifles required THREE rounds to be fired.
1st round: Black powder, followed by cleaning and thorough examination.
2nd round: the Q Proof round, followed by cleaning and thorough examination.
3rd round: a standard Ball round, dipped in oil and let drain, then loaded and fired, followed by yet another cleaning and thorough examination with gauges.

If the rifle could stand THAT, it was issued. The 3rd round actually put MUCH more thrust onto the bolt-face and locking-lugs than did the Proof round, which tested the Barrel and Body (receiver). Good reason NEVER to get your ammo oily..... and to be sure to DRY your chamber thoroughly before shooting.

Garands and Springfields took ONE Proof round only and were not tested for thrust. US Proof round ran about 78,000 psi in its final version, up 10,000 from the pre-1918 standard. This would usually wreck a rifle with any problems, including a LOT of low-number Springfields.

Hope this helps.
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