1941 Winchester .303

[togor]

Given the rounds will be Berdan primed is this even a possibility?

These are Boxer primed with a 4-stab crimp.

I think I will bang a primer on bright steel to check if corrosive. Assuming it goes bang, of course.

Then reload the case.

---------- Post added at 10:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

- The following opinion is not aimed at TOGOR.
IMHO: Some thought should be given to preserving WWII Small Arms ammunition. In a way we are eliminating our history by shooting up any old cartridge we can lay our hands on. Time is passing fast. When I was in High School in the late 60's the American Civil War was just over 100 years in the past. Compare that to WWII which ended 80 years ago - soon to be 100 years. We should see to it that WWII era and even Korean, Viet Nam era ammunition is preserved by current day shooters and collectors for future generations to ponder and collect. I know that billions of rounds were made for the wars of the 20th century. Saving even a few loose rounds now will make this history common place instead of rare in the future.

I'm with you. I'll save a few of these boxes, just as I have saved other boxes from WW2

I am lucky to have at the moment 3 original full boxes of German SmKH 8mm ammo, of the 3 different bullet colors. And I have sealed full cartons of US Cal .30 AP M2 from the 9 plants that produced such cartons during the war. Plus a few sealed boxes of Ball M1 and other odds and ends.

From what I can tell, the chemistry within those cases hasn't betrayed me yet. But this isn't black powder so eventually these rounds will go to heck.

[Alan de Enfield]

Question: Is commercial .303 from the UK and Common Wealth countries thin compared to that countries .303 military?

In the UK I think the most common, non US, commercial 303 is Prvi Partisan (PPU) which is manufactured generally to the mil-spec, and that is not just wall-thickness, but rim thickmess as well.
The mil-spec for rim thickness is 0.064" max, 0.058" min, however SAAMI specify 0.064 and 0.054" min.

Much of the US 303 appears to be manufactured to SAAMI standards and towards the 'bottom end' of the dimensions - in fact some of it would be rejected if the mil-specs were applied.

The difference between the two (in the picture) would increase the 'effective headspace' by about 5 thou.
I wonder how many thousands of tons of brass are saved by manufacturing to minimum tolerance - built to a price !

A photo of Winchester 303 compared to PPU



Photo from Ed Horton

[Steve762]

Thanks for the info on rim specs.

[muffett.2008]

Now that name is a blast from the past.......great for an argument was Ed Horton.

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanks for the info on rim specs.

Here are the full (mil) dimensions of the 303 cartridge and the chamber







And, for comparison the SAAMI drawings :

[togor]

Banged off 3 primers on bright steel. LC 11 7.62 and a WW2 Polte 8mm as controls, with a Win 41 to test. Those Win 1941 primers are HARD.

Dry air this time of year, might take awhile.

[Sapper740]

Given the rounds will be Berdan primed is this even a possibility?

Yes, SB there are a couple of companies that make Berdan to Boxer conversion kits. https://22lrreloader.com/products/be...reign-domestic is one that I use.

[Alan de Enfield]

Here are the full (mil) dimensions of the 303 cartridge and the chamber







And, for comparison the SAAMI drawings :


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...artridge-1.jpg

it seems as if the mil drawing has not come over :

[30Three]

Here's a box of the Winchester Red label .303 for synchronised guns!

[Alan de Enfield]

Attachment 138415

Here's a box of the Winchester Red label .303 for synchronised guns!

But it was 'last resort' ammunition and only to be used in an emergency ;