Enfield ammo question.

[cool45auto]

I took my Enfield to the range today to shoot it for only the second time. I had said before the only place I could find ammo for this rifle was at a gun shop that sold 20 rounds for $20.

I stopped by a new place the other day to check it out. When I asked the guy if he had any .303 ammo he brought some out for me to see. It was in old cardboard boxes, 10 to a box, each with a group of 5 rounds in a stripper clip I'd never seen before. He only wanted $2 a box so I bought 50 rounds.

Well, at the range today I got all ready to shoot the Enfield and loaded up the ammo. The first round didn't go off. I waited a few seconds then pulled the bolt back and chambered the next round. I looked at the end of the one that didn't fire and it looked like it got a good hit, it just didn't go off. I laid it over to the side and got ready to try again. Every round after that went off but after the "click" of me pulling the trigger there'd be a half second hesitation and then the round fired!?

Needless to say, those groups sucked. I only fired the 5 I had in there and put the rest up. What do you guys think? I've got 45 rounds of this stuff and don't know what to do with it.

 

[Mike Irwin]

What's the headstamp on the ammo?

I'd bet anything that it's either Greek or Pakistani, which is known to do this.

Essentially, you've got a condition called a "hang fire." You can either throw the ammo away, or shoot it and live with the hangfires.

Oh, and chances are that the ammo is corrosive primed, so you'd better clean your rifle accordingly.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

acquire PMC posthaste.


Miwall has a good price on it, as does cheaper than dirt when they have it.


save the chargers.

 

[swingset]

Welcome to the wonderful world of dinosaur aged milsurp .303!

There are good milsurp sources, mostly corrosive, but reliable and surefire stuff. The Yugo and DAC44 are both good, as is the Greek HXP (if you can find it). Don't be afraid of milsurp, you got a bad batch.

The S&B for $7.95 a box of 20 is great stuff, accurate and boxer primed. Look for it if you're going to shoot commercial.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

PMC makes exactly ball equivalent ammo, using reloadable cases.


PMP looks like a good way to go for hunting ammo.


both are non corrosive.


as Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "Non corrosive ammo is perhaps the greatest advance in firearms since the rifled barrel."

I'd stick with buying commercial stuff.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I'd bet anything that it's either Greek or Pakistani, which is known to do this.

Hmmm. I've shot a fair amount of Greek .303. All was sure-fire, and quite accurate in my Fazarkerly No.4 Mk.I. As a bonus, it's good, reloadable brass.

I concur WRT the Pakistani .303. That stuff is dreadful.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I got some brit WWII era .303 in 32 round boxes. it was crap. I kept a full box because it was neat, and use the other boxes to store the ammo i don't have in clips.

 

[cool45auto]

The boxes say:

10 cartridges .303 inch Mk7 in 2 chargers

I.D.A.
P.O.F.

2 NOV 1967

The end of the shells say:

POF L 67

 

[nemesis]

Pakistani Ordnance Factory

 

[Mike Irwin]

HEY! I get a cookie! It's Pakistani! Thought so...

Once again, clean as if it is corrosive. Chances are that it is.

 

[Prof]

P.O.F. ammo is definitely corrosive. I had about 400 rounds and gave it away. But that's because I'm lazy and didn't want to have to go through a longer cleaning ritual! Also, my Enfield is one of the "new" "Irish" arsenal rifles and it's pristine. Don't want any old "dirty" ammo in it!