Was the 333 Jeffery used in WW1 as a counter-sniper?

I've read references to the use of dangerous game rifles for counter-sniper use during the war as they'd penetrate the steel plate used by German snipers as cover. That said I don't know that I've seen any sources I'd trust confirming it.
 
In Tony Edwards book "British Secondary Small Arms1914-9 Vol 3" he lists .333" Jeffery as one of the rounds tried as an anti sniper and armour pierceing ctg.
 
Nyles said:
I've read references to the use of dangerous game rifles for counter-sniper use during the war as they'd penetrate the steel plate used by German snipers as cover. That said I don't know that I've seen any sources I'd trust confirming it.
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I read somewhere (sorry, can't source it) that soldiers would pull the bullets from a few rounds, and tap them back in reversed. Supposedly, this increased the amount of spalling when they would hit a plate and do a number on the sniper behind it.
 
Caydel said:
I read somewhere (sorry, can't source it) that soldiers would pull the bullets from a few rounds, and tap them back in reversed. Supposedly, this increased the amount of spalling when they would hit a plate and do a number on the sniper behind it.
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Yeah I recally reading that too somewhere. I can't guarantee if it is true or not.
 
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The Brits, like most other armies, entered WW1 with not much of a sniping capability. (The Germans actually expropriated all 8x57 scoped rifles and sent them to the front.) Basically almost any rifle with a scope and a bit of oomph was welcome and front-line officers were writing home asking relatives to go down to the local gun mart and buy them something useful. The Jefferies series were good rounds and it would be most surprising if they did not see service.

As to reversing the bullet, OK, but the Brits had a long history of shooting very dangerous game in Asia and Africa and most of their larger rounds were available in FMJ.
 
some did, this was dug up around the somme if memory holds

6543352107_19af865695.jpg
 
Early ivory hunters used to pull SP bullets and reverse them for elephant when they ran out of solids..............Harold
 
Kernalvax said:
some did, this was dug up around the somme if memory holds

6543352107_19af865695.jpg
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Apparently these improvised cartridges, were used against Tanks at close range. Created a minature shaped charge warhead much like a PIAT round.
I don't see good MOA at distance with this, trying to engage and penetrate a Sniper Hide plate. Maybe someone here has tried this and can comment on accuracy over say several hundred meters.

With that sharp ogive spitzer reversed in the chamber, it would be hard to seal off pressure like the full caliber base does, hence,.. possible velocity loss accuracy and excessive throat wear from funnelling.

Then again if it penetrated a tank, killed the driver and stopped it, well, to heck with the throat erosion, bring on the backward rounds.
 
mbogo3 said:
Early ivory hunters used to pull SP bullets and reverse them for elephant when they ran out of solids..............Harold
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Harold I believe this is for a different reason. The SP has a solid base with open cup front jacket, exposing the lead core fo expansion. Reversing these created in fact a flat nose FMJ.

The ball ammo for the 8X57, would have a closed front and open base with lead core exposed. Reversing these in fact made a flat nose soft point. I believe they created a shaped charge on impact, penetrating beyond what kinetic energy delivered alone could do.
 
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