Rimmed rounds and Stripper Clips

[Langenator]

I know that with rimmed rifle rounds such as the 7.62x54R and the .303 Brit, when you load them onto a stripper clip or into a rifle magazine, you have to make sure the rim of each higher round goes in front of the one below it, lest one suffer rimlock. And I know that stripper clips were the preferred method of loading rifles that used said rounds on the battlefield.

So, my question is this: how, in the heat of battle, did soldiers make sure they inserted the stripper into the guide with the correct end up?

 

[rbernie]

Rimmed cartridges can go into rimlock in magazines, since the rounds are free to move about over/on top of each other. Rimmed cartridges cannot go into rimlock on a stripper clip since the stripper clip is by definition holding the cartridge by, uh, the rim.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The Mosin-Nagants in 7.62x54R have an interrupter in the magazine that is actuated by workign the bolt. The interrupter holds the second cartridge in the mag down a little, preventing rimlock. So, with a Mosin, you don't need to worry about how the rounds are loaded into the mag.

As for the .303s, there is a particular way you need to load the stripper clips so that when the rounds go into the mag, you don't get rimlock. See the attached pic.

 

[MrMurphy]

That is indeed the correct way to load Lee-Enfield strippers. That way, they load quick either end up. Any other way, they don't feed, period.

 

[atek3]

Thats odd, I have experienced rim lock with my M39 mosin. After i charge the magazine I can't close the bolt because I think the rim of the first is hanging on the rim of the 2nd.

atek3

 

[Houndawg]

I've had rimlock occur with my M91/30 also. The interrupter keeps the rounds from popping out of the magazine. I don't think it's supposed to prevent rimlock.

 

[Badger Arms]

Not saying you can't experience rimlock with the 91, but you SHOULDN'T. wonder if you aren't pressing the rounds deep enough in to the magazine to begin with. The second round in the magazine must clear the interruptor for it to work properly. Haven't shot my M44 in a while, can't remember right now.