When did Cordite cease to be used in the .303
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All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.
Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
When did Cordite cease to be used in the .303
I am sure I have read in the past that Cordite was adopted for service use around 1891 however can anyone tell me when its use ended for the .303 cartridge?
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breacher
Re: When did Cordite cease to be used in the .303
Its still being used in all military ammo according to McNabb and Ryan etc who always seem to mention the "smell of cordite in the air" at some point.
Re: When did Cordite cease to be used in the .303
Cordite as a small arms propellant was effectively dropped in 1956, when the 7.62mmx51 NATO round was adopted. Cordite was not part of the agreed NATO spec for SA ammunition, as only UK manufactured it.
The last batch of .303" ammunition loaded in UK with cordite appears to be 1959 ("RG 59" headstamp). Another run of .303" was made at RG in 1973, but this was MkVIIz loaded with with nitro powder.
South Africa made cordite ammunition as late as 1961 ("U61" headstamp). Its possible that India also made some cordite ammunition much later. IIRC the cordite used by these countries was of UK origin, and the supply dried up when the production line was scrapped.
Chopped cordite, as used in .380 revolver ammunition, also disappeared in the same timeframe.
The last batch of .303" ammunition loaded in UK with cordite appears to be 1959 ("RG 59" headstamp). Another run of .303" was made at RG in 1973, but this was MkVIIz loaded with with nitro powder.
South Africa made cordite ammunition as late as 1961 ("U61" headstamp). Its possible that India also made some cordite ammunition much later. IIRC the cordite used by these countries was of UK origin, and the supply dried up when the production line was scrapped.
Chopped cordite, as used in .380 revolver ammunition, also disappeared in the same timeframe.
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