+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: What .303 to shoot first Radway Green or HXP?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member therno's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Last On
    11-07-2020 @ 06:44 AM
    Location
    Catonsville, MD
    Posts
    105
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:04 PM

    What .303 to shoot first Radway Green or HXP?

    I have about 4 boxes (48rds each) of 1945 Radway Green .303 that are still sealed and wrapped in cellophane. I also have a ample supply (1000rds) of 1970s HXP.

    My question is should I shoot up the RG first or hold on to it and shoot the HXP first?

    I shot a full box of the RG a few months back and it was great for it's age. No duds or hang fires. Just worry that it will start to deteriorate.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 11:07 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:04 AM
    In about a year you won't have either left as it will be all gone...so just get started and when you finish, tell us which was better.
    Regards, Jim

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member bombdoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Last On
    03-14-2024 @ 05:12 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    170
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:04 PM
    Is the RG MkVII or MkVIIz? If it is VII it is cordite loaded.. Make sure you are not getting a vinegar smell as this is a sign of propellent breakdown.. (though this is rare in small arms...) There is a good chance you will have corrosive primers on the RG, so make sure you clean out your gun as soon as you are finished shooting!

    The HXP is loaded with NC powder.. the cases are probably Boxer primed and reloadable, the RG are almost certainly Berdan primed and are not...

    Up to you which you shoot first.. The RG will not live forever.. either sell it to collectors or use it IMHO..

  6. Thank You to bombdoc For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Legacy Member M2phil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Last On
    02-04-2021 @ 08:13 AM
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    28
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:04 PM
    Use the HXP, save the RG. HXP is excellent brass, non-corrosive, boxer primed. RG will be 70 years old, Berdan primed and corrosive. Leave it in the cellophane and keep it, or sell it to a collector. Not that it's worth a fortune, but it has some intrinsic value by now.

  8. Thank You to M2phil For This Useful Post:


  9. #5
    Legacy Member lawrence_n's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    02-09-2024 @ 07:21 AM
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    279
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:04 PM
    I have to agree with M2phil. Flog off the RG to a collector and get good shootable .303. I had some WWII vintage british ammo and every empty casing was neck split after firing. I was told that wartime English brass wasn't very good and turned brittle over the years. I also shot WWII Canadianicon DIZ ammo and it not only held up just fine, but it's reloadable. Unless you have a display of wartime gear or you are a collector yourself, I'd just bang it off or sell it. My 2 cents worth.

  10. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    DocAV's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    08-18-2017 @ 01:06 AM
    Posts
    102
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:04 AM
    RG45 in 48 round packs is Greek supply and surplus.
    Cases are Berdan (.250") and Corrosive; Cordite won't deteriorate, but the Primers probably already have. (Despite the cellophane tropicalization).

    Splitting cases has nothing to do with "Poor wartime manufacture" but all to do with the manner in which .303 Cordite is loaded...case is made to the First Taper (about Calibre .420), Primed, then the cut-off "cord" of cordite is fitted (Like a cork to a wine-bottle), then the wad is placed over the cordite, and the Bullet, and then the Neck and Shoulder is formed down and mouth crimped. There is NO "Neck and Shoulder" anneal as happens in (Boxer) Nitrocellulose loaded cases.

    So the Case has Stress issues from the get-go: Age and Seasonal variations both contribute to "age cracking" of stressed brass...a lot of Cordite .303 will have split necks even before firing, and a combination of neck splits and "pin-holes" in the shoulder after firing.

    48 round boxes are for Bren and RAF loading use (Mostly RAF); by 1945, all .303 ammo was "Air Use Quality" (but Crates were marked in Red, "Not for use in Synchronised guns after .........( date Two years after Manufacture date).---Primer issues.

    By 1945, there were very few "synchronised" MGs in use by Britainicon, but some European Airforces still had them on older Craft. The Red Notice was dropped by the mid-1950s.

    Collect or Shoot? Given that this ammo is ex-Greek ( source) supplied by Britain in the 1944-49/1950s, it has a certain Historical appeal ( Greek Civil War, re-armament of Royal Hellenic Army). Most is gone now ( first released in early 1980s).

    The Canadianicon (DI Z) is also "Greek supply", but being made using Commercial Non-corrosive Boxer Primers, and Nitro-cellulose Powder in a Military spec. case, it is more likely to be still "Good Shooting/Reloading ammo"...in any case, a couple of Sealed Packets for collecting Purposes are warranted.
    The other good .303 was the Greek-manufactured "HXP" of the 60s and 70s...made using Olin Industries Technology ("Winchester") and Ball Powder. If you can get HXP ( some still around the ridges) it is equal to DI Z .303 ammo.
    ( HXP Greek Cartridge and Powder Co.).

    Doc AV

  11. #7
    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 10:55 AM
    Location
    Edgefield, SC USA
    Posts
    4,039
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:04 PM
    I was told many years ago that the Greek factory was set up by Dominion of Canadaicon. I never knew it was Olin. That's interesting. I have a couple of cans full of Greek repack, WWII Britishicon production Ml.7 from RG, Kynock and others and it's very clean. It's surefire but you're right about the primers. It does hang fire on occasion. I also have Greek HXP from the late 60's, 70's and even some dated 1989.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. POF No4 in green
    By jss in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-22-2013, 06:02 AM
  2. Question about Radway-Green Ammo
    By Charlie in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-18-2012, 02:44 PM
  3. Radway Green 1993 Group
    By Skip in forum Range Reports - Show us how good you are!
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-16-2010, 10:31 AM
  4. Radway Green 308
    By Skip in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-05-2010, 06:21 AM
  5. To shoot or not to shoot uncut OpRods?
    By TheLongshot00 in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 04-23-2010, 03:29 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
Raven Rocks