+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Kynoch smokeless .577/450

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Anzac15's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Last On
    03-08-2024 @ 11:09 PM
    Location
    Suwanee, Ga.
    Posts
    1,491
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 PM

    Kynoch smokeless .577/450

    I have an opportunity to buy 3 boxes of Kynoch .577/450 smokeless, probably manufactured in the mid fifties.
    Is this ammo safe to fire in a Martini? I have heard yes and no, thought I would ask the experts on here. The ammo is dirt cheap by the way, guy just wants to get rid of it!
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last On
    Today @ 04:33 AM
    Location
    Scone, NSW. Australia
    Posts
    2,186
    Real Name
    kevin muffett
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    10:27 AM
    Supposedly a bit hit and miss on the ignition, but at least it will give you cases to reload.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Richardwv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-05-2017 @ 07:24 PM
    Location
    Back Creek Valley, WV
    Posts
    97
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:27 PM
    It is berdan primed cordite ammo where both the primers and cordite have become degraded from poor storage, resulting in click-bang ammo with highly variable velocities. The cases are age hardened, meaning that more than a few will crack upon firing. The above said, to the best of my knowledge nobody has blown up a rifle yet, although with degraded cordite that is always a posssibility. For the uncracked cases, they of course can be annealed and reused if you can find the right primers or convert them to 209 shotshell primers (which isn't that hard and is a popular thing to do for berdan 577/450 cases). Because of the variables involved, I personally wouldn't use them in anything other than a Brit or Belgian Martini.....and certainly wouldn't even remotely consider it for a Nepalese Gahendra or Francotte. For someone that doesn't intend to reload and just wants their MH to go bang, this is an affordable way to go. However if ultimately you are going to reload, I'd recommend putting your money towards the gear and supplies you need to do a proper job.

  6. #4
    Legacy Member Anzac15's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Last On
    03-08-2024 @ 11:09 PM
    Location
    Suwanee, Ga.
    Posts
    1,491
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thank you very much for the replies.

  7. #5
    Legacy Member bombdoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Last On
    10-28-2024 @ 07:40 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    170
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    11:27 PM
    I know this is a late reply.. however Cordite is a funny one. Basically Cordite is stabilised with a substance called Carbamite jelly (basically vaseline) which mops up any stray acid produced by the breakdown of the nitro elements. This maintains the stability of the propellent, which can be for many many years. Once the carbamite runs out however, the cordite can degrade very quickly, and even auto ignite..

    It is very difficult to predict the remaining life of cordite, and in service it was regualrly tested using the Abel Heat test where a measured sample of cordite is ground down and then heated. The time it takes to fume off was an indication of remaining life..

    However you are not likely to be able to do this test.. so

    1. Sniff the box - if you get a sour or acrid smell, the cordite may have started to degrade.. Carefully pull a bullet and have a look at the strands. If they are very dark or have a powdery appearance.. I would not use the ammuniton.. pull the bullets and recycle the cases..

    2. If you do use the cases, make sure you boil out the bore - this stuff is almost certain to have mercuric primers...

  8. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to bombdoc For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    maxim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Michigan, The Colonies
    Posts
    70
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 PM
    I have fired some of this 'click bang' Kynoch just the other day. The cases were in good shape and no splits. There was fresh snow on the ground and the strands of spent cordite was evident in the snow. There was no discernible difference in about 10 rounds as far as report or recoil. The hang fires were such that you could hear the internals fall and the spring vibrate before it went off.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. semi-smokeless v. smokeless powder
    By kcw in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-09-2017, 06:48 AM
  2. Kynoch 303 british surplus
    By Eagleotto in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-14-2010, 03:57 PM
  3. Mild load using smokeless powder
    By Major Tom in forum Other U.S. Service Rifles
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 07-14-2010, 11:34 AM
  4. Kynoch 303 MkVII Ammunition
    By Alan de Enfield in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-24-2010, 12:52 AM
  5. Smokeless Powder out of oa cordite Rifle
    By EnfieldNutt84 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-05-2010, 11:52 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts