Faulty Ammo?

[selector67]

The other day I took out my 303. Enfield No.4 to shoot at my sisters house, she lives out in the sticks. Had it for years but I never shot it, bought some ammo for it online, Pakistani 1967 manufactured surplus ammo. Loaded my rifle up, aimed, and pulled the trigger------------------------4 secs later, BANG. Thought it was a fluke, next 5 rounds went off fine, but the seventh round-----------------------------5 secs later, BANG!!! The 8th round did not go off at all, I was afraid to eject it , because it might go off. I pulled back the cocking piece, and pulled the trigger, it went off that time. Is it the ammo, or is it the firing pin, I think its the ammo, I guess I could keep the ammo, and whenever I feel like shooting a flintlock musket, I could load up my 303. Enfield.

 

[Jackal]

There's an old saying. "If you won't drink their water, don't shoot their ammo".

 

[dm1333]

I'll bet if you get some commercial ammo or higher quality surplus you won't have the same problem.

 

[foghornl]

Ammo of that vintage from that part of the world has a well-deserved, but horrid, reputation...

Hangfires...what you experienced with "click. . . . . BANG!"

Rounds that take 2 hits (or more) to light off

Rounds that just never go off...short of being tossed in a raging fire.

If you can find some PMP brand (Pretoria Metal Pressing...THE Premier South African ammo maker) or Selleir & Bellot brand, you shouldn't have those hangfire issues. Most US ammo makers also load the .303 Brit rounds, although the commercial US made stuff is higher priced.

Jackals comment about water & ammo is well-taken.

 

[Chipperman]

Good ammo to help with your flinch.

Paki .303 and Indian .308 stay away.

 

[nbkky71]

Good ammo to help with your flinch

Also very good for practicing follow-through. I used my '42 No4Mk1* and some of the Sprotsmanguide .303 ammo to practice offhand shooting with.

click [pause] BANG!

The delay on my ammo was only about a second...not as bad as yours selector67