+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 23

Thread: warning about Browning machine gun ammuniton

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member bill smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Last On
    03-11-2021 @ 09:24 PM
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:37 AM

    warning about Browning machine gun ammuniton

    i saw a crate of ammunition the other day and it had a strange warning on it. i hope someone here can help me out. the warning is as follows...."South African ammunition for army use only. Not to be used in Browning Machine guns."

    i know that there is some concern by some shooters that ammunition suitable for Vickers, or other, machine guns is not safe to shoot in a standard infantry rifle. apparently this concern is not valid for use in a P-14 rifle. that's my understanding.

    my question is....apart from the concern that some infantryman might grab the wrong crate of ammunition and mistakenly use it in his infantry rifle, why is this ammunition singling out the Browning machine gun and ignoring all others. i appreciate comments. thanks.
    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
    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
    08:37 AM
    It might be easier if you knew EXACTLY what the type of ammo was. There's ammo for the Barret that isn't for the HMG. If you shoot standard .50 ball in the Barret it shoots off POA.
    Regards, Jim

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member bill smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Last On
    03-11-2021 @ 09:24 PM
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    sorry...the ammo is 303 Britishicon. the crate doesn't call out the load except to say that it is on a Vickers machine gun belt. i think that makes it MkVIII. does that help any? thanks for your reply.

  6. #4
    Legacy Member bill smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Last On
    03-11-2021 @ 09:24 PM
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Jim....i'm sorry. my mistake. the crate says Mk7.

    i hope these links work...

    https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/894332...x663509174.jpg

    https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/894332...x599718519.jpg
    Last edited by bill smith; 03-11-2021 at 01:54 AM.

  7. #5
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:56 AM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:37 AM
    Did they make Brownings in 303?

    If the South African army only had 30-06 Brownings, it would make sense why they’d want to make sure you didn’t run 303 through it!

  8. Thank You to rcathey For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    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
    08:37 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by rcathey View Post
    Brownings in 303
    Yes, Inglis made .303 Brownings for things like the aircraft. If you look at commonwealth aircraft of WW2 you'll find them almost all using Browning .303 guns at the beginning of the war. Developments required more power as time went and the .50 and 20mm were installed in lots. The .303 gun was a very high speed gun, I had a chance to fire one back in about '95 and enjoyed it immensely...

    In answer to the OPs question, yes there was ammo specifically made for the .303 guns. I just had a box or two go past me here matter of fact. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15652440
    Regards, Jim

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 06:54 AM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,392
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 PM
    South African 303 Brownings were used in the gunships until replaced by 20mm. All the other Brownings were armoured vehicle and 7,62x51. Heard about .30 Brownings but never saw one.

    Vickers used to use cloth belts, which wouldn't work well in Brownings. Possibly why the warning.

  12. Thank You to Daan Kemp For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:37 PM
    Ferrets...we had the M1919 .30 Brownings in NI
    Last edited by Gil Boyd; 03-11-2021 at 07:31 AM.
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

  14. #9
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 06:54 AM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,392
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 PM
    Brand new Ferret.

  15. #10
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:37 PM
    We like to please
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Cut-away Browning 50 cal?
    By Flying10uk in forum Other LMG/HMG and SMG Forum
    Replies: 67
    Last Post: 09-25-2016, 07:07 PM
  2. Browning M2 values
    By Biggestsquid in forum Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-26-2013, 05:49 PM
  3. Browning belt filling machine
    By John Gelotti in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 01-30-2013, 08:53 PM
  4. M1 garand CMP HXP Ammuniton clip problems
    By mac1911 in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 11-24-2010, 04:15 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