Missing the old Greek HXP ball ammo? More seems to have been found.

[Alan de Enfield]

I enjoy the challenge of coaxing good groups out of these rifles, even as I can view their quirks without sentimentality.

My point was that you are trying to use something which was not designed for use in the Lee Enfield Rifle.

The Mk7 has not only a longer parallel area to 'get a grip' on the rifling, but has an open flat bottom to give more easily sufficient up-set to engage into the rifling.

The Mk8 was designed for 'long distance' machine gun use, has an aerodynamic shape giving a very short parallel area, but also has a closed base which will not easily up-set. the use of NC propellant in a barrel that has fired cordite also produces poor accuracy.
These features are the reason that the documents of the time state :

6. The following instructions regarding the use of .303-in ammunition have been issued to users and are governed by stocks and types of ammunition and weapons in current use:-

(a) .303 in. Vickers M.G.s in M.G. Bns.

(i)Mk.8z only will be used for overhead firing.
(ii) Mixed belts, i.e. Ball, Tracer, A.P., etc., will NOT be used.
(iii) Any barrel which has fired Cordite ammunition will NOT be used for N.C.; barrels will be stamped “7” on the trunnion block and returned to R.A.O.C. through normal channels.
(iv) Barrel life for N.C. will be assessed by unit armourers using the appropriate gauges.

(b) .303 in. Vickers M.G.s in A.F.V.s.

Here the overhead fire problem is not considered; the range is usually less than is the case with ground M.G.s. tracer ammunition is required as an aid to fire control, and prolonged fire programmes are not envisaged. Special mixed belts of Mk.8z and Tracer are provided in boxes clearly marked “For use in A.F.V.s only”. The reduced life of the barrels is accepted.

(c) Light M.G.s.

Cordite ammunition normally will be used. N.C. ammunition, however, gives a relatively small flash at night and if the Bren is being used for a special purpose, e.g., on a patrol, its use is permitted.

(d) Rifles.

N.C. ammunition will not be used in rifles except in such circumstances as quoted in para. “(c)”
above, if necessity should arise.

7. Belt packed S.A.A. for M.G.s is packed in boxes which are clearly marked with labels or stenciling indicating its proper use. It will never be de-belted and used for practice purposes in L.M.G.s or rifles.





Even poor quality Mk7 will perform better than good quality Mk8z

(Apologies for the poor quality of the bullet sectioning - I only had a hammer and a blunt hacksaw with a bent blade.)