Greek 303 Ammo

[Alan de Enfield]

Sure; one of the other throwaway line that supports a myth industry is "A few rounds of Mk7 destroys the accuracy of machine gun barrels." Without all of the supporting data, this is fairly meaningless.

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What would be acceptable as supporting data ?
The following is word for word (I cannot cut and paste from a Pdf) extract from from "Regulations For Army Ordnance Services - Part 7 Small Arms Ammunition"

No 'spin', no hype, no rumours just the facts as they were seen in 1945.

Words in brackets are mine as way of an explanation, words in capitals / bold are as they appear in the in the regulations.

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.


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.

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

*Although the use of Mk7 and kindred types of cordite loaded flat base, bulleted, ammunition reduces Mk8z barrel life, the reverse is not the case. No deleterious effects will therefore be produced by the occasional and restricted use of Mk8z ammunition in these weapons (Rifles) for the purposes indicated above.