Does anyone have any experience with running the PPU/Privi 174gr FMJ "Mk VII"-type ammo in a Bren lately?
Looking at buying a few cases, but curious as to first hand experiences, if any.
Privi rifle ammo is notoriously lightly loaded in many other calibers, so am expecting the same here. Plus side is it is boxer primed brass and reloadable, price is "tolerable".
-TomH
I have been looking into PPU for .303 as well. The talk on the forums is mostly positive. There is a review of the amm on this site.
Analyzing Prvi Partizan .303 ammunition and cartridge cases | Gun and Game
PPU is Mk.8 spec not Mk.7. I've never fired Mk.8 in a Bren, only in a Vickers which it was designed for.
its good and with the BREN just adjust the gas setting so it runs with the ammo you have
Thanks for the good info!! I've gotten a case of the PPU 174gr and will try it out.
-TomH
To be honest, we used to just use up any old rubbish when shooting Brens. The only hold-ups were the underpowered stuff and then, like Mr E suggests, we'd just turn the gas up to suit! While we used to buy in or get issued good stuff, we'd store that and use up the old crud we had in stock.
Back in the 60s to 80s, Prvi Partizan made "proper" Mark 7z and 8z ammo, as it was for the Yugoslav Army and for Export as Military ammo...the several empty crates I have are Marked (In Cyrillic) :for Rifle, MG and Machine Rifle "Bren"...the statement is on both Mark 7z and 8z Crates.
Nowadays, I don't know how they load their "Commercial" ammo, but if you can get their Export Military ammo (They still make it) it will be correct to specs.
Doc AV
I understand that reloaders sometimes have a problem in removing the primers simply because the Bren striker bells them out and the ejector stakes them in with a distinct chisel action too. Originally to prevent the 'caps-out' problem the plagued the early trials. Just a couple of loose caps could stop the Bren.
If the gas it too high and the ejection harsh it can cause the spent cases to beat hard against the rear of the ejection slot in the piston extension and then beat down hard on the ground, denting the side of the case and neck.
But on the bright side, reloading and all that palava shpould be the last thing on your mind when you're shooting a Bren
I rounded off the chisel end of the ejector to make it easier on the brass. I have put several thousand reloads through my bren with out a problem that I can recall. I use known good loads and have adjusted the loadings to run the gun in a comfortable and reliable manor
That's a clever trick Mr E. Great idea!