Reloading with salvaged components from 303 milsurp ammo.

[vintage hunter]

Has anyone ever salvaged the bullets and cordite from dud 303 milsurp ammo and used it for reloading? I've done it with a few without incident but wanted to find out whether or not this is safe practice before I make a habit of it. My only concern is the use of modern primers which may produce higher pressures than the original ones do. Case capacity is of lesser concern as it's easy enough to do a comparison between the old and new cases. Any thoughts?

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[browningautorifle]

I don't think there would be much of a difference. Besides I've done it too and had no ill results. I've changed lots of primers when I thought they would be punk or corrosive.

[muffett.2008]

Why waste time and energy, fire them, if they don't go off at least you know you can salvage pills and case.

[browningautorifle]

That's what he's talking about...

[muffett.2008]

My mistake, missed the dud bit.

[vintage hunter]

Salvaging the cases isn't an option as they are of British and Pakistani origins with the large oddball berdan primers. Never had any issues with the Winchester or South African ammo, have'nt came across any Canadian stuff this far south yet.

[jmoore]

Is salvaging the Cordite worth the bother? The bullets, yes! But not only is doing the Cordite transfer hugely tedious, it's harder on the bore than most other powders. If there's some advantage, maybe y'all can talk me into doing it. There's surely a boatload of bad primered and brittle cased ammo languishing away in storage that I've been too lazy to break down..

[muffett.2008]

Nothing wrong with the brit. and aussie cases, been repriming them for years, once the original primer is removed and crimp removed, they are ok.
Use them in rapids, snaps and walkdowns, so if I lose a case I'm not crying.
Primers are still available for all sizes of berdans.

[jmoore]

Nothing wrong with the brit. cases...

You mean like these fine once fired examples?




Radway Green Mk.VII .303" SAA 1952.

Y'all must have left all the dog vomit ammo over here. And NO primers.

[muffett.2008]

Y'all must have left all the dog vomit ammo over here. And NO primers.

Well, you gotta admit, you lot gave the poms a hard time once.
Those cases are suffering from age, splitting. If they make it past the first firing ok, then neck anneal, it will sort that problem out.
As to berdan primer supply, another forum recently discussed this problem.