Ammunition types, .303 British

[Alan de Enfield]

IIRC, the Mark VI for use in rifle had the flat base bullet heads, and the ammo for Vickers MG's was boat tail. Not sure about the Lewis.

The flat base bullets work better in Lee-Enfields, but when the **** hits the fan, both work in each and will still so the job if one or other is all you've got.

The Germans even made special 'match' grade sniper ammo for issue to the front line snipers, but given the logistics problems the Wehrmacht had throughout most of WW2, I wonder how many German snipers ever got to use the sniper grade ammo.

I presume you mean MkVII.
MkVI was the 'round nosed' round and was replaced in 1910 with the MKVII

The MK VIII (Boat-tail) or as the War Office call it "Streamlined" was not introduced until 1938



Source :

Army Ordnance Services Part 7 : Pamphlet No11
Small Arms Ammunition
Issued by the War Office - 24th February 1945

(Extract from 131 page document)

Mark 8Z 303-in SAA (Small Arms Ammunition) has a neonite load and a streamlined based bullet. Trial firings have proved that these (Mk7 and Mk8z) two types of ammunition do not wear the barrels in the same manner. Barrels which have been used for Mk7 or 303-in Tracer become inaccurate much sooner when Mk8Z is used in them, than barrels in which Mk8z only has been employed.
One advantage of Mk8z ammunition is that the barrel maintains accuracy and elevation until the actual moment of collapse. No indication of approaching barrel failure is given when Mk8z ammunition is used. Accuracy is liable to break down very suddenly and the barrel becomes dangerous for use for overhead fire in the latter stages of its life. To ensure the safety of our own troops during overhead fire by medium machine guns, the life of a Vickers gun barrel using Mk8z SAA ONLY has, therefore been fixed at 10,000 rounds (or 40 belts). This figure is well within the number of rounds successfully completed by the earliest failure of barrels firing and endurance accuracy test under conditions of excessively rapid rates of fire. If, however even a few rounds of cordite loaded SAA are fired, the Mk8z accuracy life drops considerable.

The following instructions regarding the use of these various types of 303-in SAA will be strictly enforced :-
a).303-in. Vickers machine gun battalions.
1) Mk8z ONLY to be used.
2) Mixed belts of Mk8z and tracer must NOT be used.
3) Any barrel that has fired Mk7 or .303-in tracer must NOT be used for firing Mk8Z
4) Barrel life for Mk8Z is 10,000 rounds.

Barrels of Vickers machine guns in machine gun battalions which have fired Mk7, .303-in tracer. Or .303-in AP SAA will be stamped with the figure 7 on the trunnion block and returned to ordnance through normal channels. New barrels for use with Mk8z will be demanded in exchange.


b) Light Machine Guns*
Mk8z being neonite loaded gives a small flash at night. When the Bren gun is being used for some special purpose at night, e.g. on a patrol, it may be desirable to make use of Mk8z in order to lessen the flash.

c) Rifles*
Mk8z SAA will not be used in rifles except as in the case of the Bren gun (see above), if necessity should arise.