what is this stuff

[duggaboy]

Just came home from the gun range, or what passes for it, and found some non fired shells on the ground and I think they are marked U 1943 on the shell rim, and looks like a rimless Russian shell, with the bullet 175 grains, FMJ, .311 in diameter, and when I pulled the bullets, the powder wasn't powder, but stick type, is this chordite?? It burned slowly, and was separated from the bullet by a piece of paper. Is this typical for Russian type shells? Very different that modern stuff. Duggaboy

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[Sunray]

"...is this cordite??..." Likely. Cordite looks a lot like whole wheat spaghetti. Used by the Brits well into W.W. II.
A 'U' on the headstamp was used by several ammo makers. Three American, one German and a South African plant.
How long is the case? You're sure about the bullet diameter? Doubt it's Russian. They used rimmed 7.62 x 54 in 1943. Might be a 7.65 Argentine/Mauser or 7.7 Japanese(not likely though).

[JustPassingThrough]

Just came home from the gun range, or what passes for it, and found some non fired shells on the ground and I think they are marked U 1943 on the shell rim, and looks like a rimless Russian shell, with the bullet 175 grains, FMJ, .311 in diameter, and when I pulled the bullets, the powder wasn't powder, but stick type, is this chordite?? It burned slowly, and was separated from the bullet by a piece of paper. Is this typical for Russian type shells? Very different that modern stuff. Duggaboy

Most likely its .

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ite_sticks.jpg

It still washes up on some beaches in Europe. Rotten old war ships and shells deteriorate but cordite doesn't care.. Floats up and ends up on shore.

[Bruce McAskill]

That sure sounds like it's British .303 packed with cordite and the cardboard between the powder and the bullet and the correct bullet weight but it is a rimmed round and not rimless.