303 Brass Web Seperation

[us019255]

Unfortunately, I can not give a good reference but here is a procedure I have read about that may solve your longevity problem.

1. Put an "O" ring around the case just above the rim for the first firing. This makes sure that there is no gap between the bolt head and case; therefore, no stretching. The shoulder moves up.
2. Segregate used cases by rifle. Removes problems with different head spaces and chamber depth from the equation.
3. Then neck size. These custom made cases, for the rifle, now effectively head space on the shoulder like rimless cases and last a long time.

I was going to try this, but then started firing my SMLE's less frequently.

[browningautorifle]

Really like to start with new brass for each gun but I find the selection in local gun stores is abysmal.

You'd have never thought we'd run out of ball .303 would you, here in Canada? Specially where you are...35 years back there was so much.

[CINDERS]

Now 70 years later Jim its collectible and not shoot-able well some may do the latter me I collect them WWII Mk VII ammo that is.

[ActionYobbo]

I go through so much 303 that is amost a full time job finding it or finding components to make it. Gone are the days when I was able to buy it by the pallet for 3c a round when the GOV was dumping it.

[mausernut]

Actually a friend of mine called me last year asking me if I wanted a bunch of 303 ammo. gave me two boxes of Imperial Gevelot ammo a partial box of Dominion Arms and 10 charger clips loaded with 1943 and 44 ball cartridges.

Attachment 86570Attachment 86571Attachment 86572

And a student of mine gave me a box of ammo

Attachment 86573

[browningautorifle]

I was able to buy it by the pallet for 3c a round

Now you'd take a boxcar full...and still go short.

[mausernut]

On a side note, when I'm teaching a course I like to show the picture of the 30-06 ammo and ask the people who think they know lots about guns what ammo it is. Most of them have no idea what it is. The odd person can work it out from what is on the box.

[Wineman]

I'm with Para on this one. The weakest part of the rifle is the brass case. They were never intended to be reused, that they can be is amazing. How about the re-chambered M1893, and M1895 Mauser actions for the 7.62x51 NATO. They set the lugs back without any lube in the chambers. Many types of weapons use a lubricated cartridge. The Pederson 276 used a dry wax. The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and Bofors 40 mm actually inject oil into the chambers. Yes they are automatic weapons but it is still lubrication. Here is a similar way to decrease the brass stretch, a long read but interesting:

Rifle Chamber Finish Friction Effects on Bolt Load and Case Head Thinning Calculations done with LS-DYNA

Dave

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The last (small) lot of "surplus" .303 I was given turned out to be WW2 Japanese MG ammo in fairly good condition; not likely to shoot that lot off.

I recall the days of buying post WW2 FN .303 ball and tracer, ("pour Bren"), in case lots from the local "disposals" / "surplus" shop; mind you that was back in the early / mid 1970s...... I still have a few dozen cases here and some suitable RWS primers.

[old tanker]

I do so miss the cheap Winchester MkVIIIz headstamped WCC 81. I was told by an Olin rep that was actually contract run of 8 million rounds for South Africa but before it was delivered, they got stung by the embargo. The next best stuff was Greek, headstamped HXP. Prvi Partizan makes good ammo, but their FMJ, like the Greek, does NOT tumble on impact like the old MkVII ball. The tendency of British Commonwealth primers to hangfire when they get a bit of age has always mystified me. I have a lot of mid- Fifties Radway Green in Vickers belts and despite the sealed tins a good bit of it is click...BOOM. Cal. 30 M2 ball headstamped DEN 43 goes off like it was made last week, corrosive primers nothwithstnding.