Vintage .303 cartride question.

[Richard Hare]

Sorry lads, no photos at present, but I have some old ammunition out in the workshop, .303 Mk V11 1934 if I remember right, and some of it has 3 purple (or so it seems ) stripes aroung the case. and some has two black stripes around the case body.
Any ideas what these stripes are about?
I will take photos sometime, but farm stuff just seems to keep me running.

Someone once told me something about "match ammo" but nothing definite and no sources for such. I will look at the manufacturer as I'd be guessing if I said Royal Laborotories, (R.L)

Thanks for any help or leads,

Richard.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aussie48]

This should answer your question I hope

DCRA Banded Match Checklist

1921 Match, Color: Rosaniline, Bands:1, width:3/4-inch,
1922 Match, Color: Malachite Green, bands:1, Width:3/4-inch, dates known: 1922
1923 Match, Color: Gentian Violet, Bands:1, Width:3/4-inch, dates known: 1922
1924 Match, Color: Victoria Blue, Bands:1, Width:3/4-inch,
1925 Match, Color: Rosaniline, Bands:6, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1924
1926 Match, Color: Malachite Green, Bands:6, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:’25, ‘26
1927 Match, Color: Gentian Violet, Bands:6, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1924,1926,1927
1928 Match, Color: Victoria Blue, Bands: 6, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1927
1929 Match, Color: Rosaniline, Bands:3, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1928
1930 Match, Color: Malachite Green, Bands:3, Width:1/16-inch dates, known:1929
1931 Match, Color: Gentian Violet, Bands:3, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1930
1932 Match, Color: Victoria Blue, Bands:3, Width:1/16-inch, dates known:1931
1933 Match, Color: Rosaniline, Bands: 4, Width:1/8-inch, dates known:1932
1934 Match, Color: Malachite Green, Bands:4, Width:1/8-inch, dates known:1933,1934
1935 Match, Color: Gentian Violet, Bands: 4, Width:1/8-inch, dates known:1934
1936 Match, Color: Victoria Blue, Bands:4, Width:1/8-inch, dates known:35
1937 Match, Color: Rosaniline, Bands:2, Width:5mm, dates known:36
1938 Match, Color: Malachite Green, Bands:2, Width:5mm, dates known:37
1939 Match, Color: Gentian Violet, Bands:2, Width:5mm, dates known:36,38
1940 Match, Color: Victoria Blue, Bands:2, Width:5mm, dates known:39
1944 Match, Color: Green, Bands:1, Width:11mm, dates known: 44
1945 Match, Color: Purple, Bands:1, Width:14mm, dates known:44

The date of the DCRA match does not always agree with the headstamp dates. The color names were the official color names."


Dick

[Surpmil]

Probably intended to keep shooters honest by making it difficult to substitute specially prepared ammo for what was issued.

[Richard Hare]

Wow Dick, I never knew such a list exisited!! Thanks for that!

I will get some pictures taken and the headstamps checked, etc. as to me this is a new subject.
Are ther any details on how these were loaded,...what determines them "match"? or does it mean that "everyone has to use these cartridges, to keep the playing field level" ?

(this ties in well with your comment Surpmil.)

Thanks again for such a complete list Dick. Very good of you.

[Peter Laidler]

Yet another bit of info that illustrates the amount of info tucked away in the inner parts of forumers brains. There to remain until someone prompts the grey matter....................

[Aussie48]

Hi Richard,

I imagine that the ammunition is exactly as it is today for these types of competitions. It is issued ammunition so nothing special and every military competitor uses ammunition from the same lot number. Civilian competitors use their own ammunition but it must conform to the standard Military issue as far as projectile weight and shape and produce the same muzzle velocity. Looks like our Canadian friends may have had a few shall we say not so sporting types in the Military so to avoid any disputes the ammunition to be used was marked.

Dick

[Richard Hare]

Indeed, Peter.

Update, got an odd one that is DAC marked, 1938, with 4 bands, I/8th " wide, no colour remaining! (the brass is still brighter where the bands were)

Two DAC, 1936, 2 bands 5mm, Rosaniline? never heard of it but seem the same as the 1936 stamped 1937 match specs.

And, 15 of the DAC 1931 3 bands, 1/16" wide, Victoria Blue, for 1932 match.

I suppose if different manufacturers were making the same type of cartridges, there could still be variations overall.

Thanks chaps, all interesting stuff!!
Richard.

[Richard Hare]

Sorry Dick, didn't see your post when I replied last. sort of overlapped.

I feel thick. Didn't know what DCRA stood for until I looked it up after me last post. No wonder the cases are head-stamped DAC! I thought GB and the Commwealth all must have used these banded cases.
I see they still hold the matches as well. Even for BP out to 900 yds I believe.
I've only lived here for near 31 years....

They might have had a few unsporting types competing, or maybe it made everyone feel a part of it when they all had nice stripey cases all the same!

Thanks again for this info Dick. Bit of a sod when you on the other side of tthe world have to tell me what's doing in me own back yard!

[Aussie48]

Don't feel sorry glad I could help you. I shoot Military Service Rifles competitions down here and lets just say some of the roll your own ammunition would never pass inspection if push came to shove.

Much simpler when I was serving and shooting Inter Service, everyone used the same lot of ammunition and it was issued quite stringently to avoid any un-gentleman behaviour.

Dick

[Richard Hare]

Thanks for your reply Dick.

I wish someone like yourself would put up some U-tube stuff on the use/handling of the Lee Enfield.
It seems if we look up firing the rifle, all we get is a bunch of oafs who appear to be trying to convince us that they have never used one before.
Same with rapid fire and 1,000yd shooting, mostly chronic.

I know this is OT to my OP, but we Do need some footage by someone who has his buttons on!

Cheers,
R.