Identifying South African .303 Ammunition

RobinderBhatty

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Sep 13, 2001, 10:28:58 AM9/13/01

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Group:

I've just bought a box of 50 .303 British rifle cartridges; the gun shop owner
told me they're South African surplus, made in 1980. Berdan primed, but given
the date of manufacture they should be noncorrosive, he says.

The headstamp says "7.7 R1M32 (or possibly 3Z) A80". Can anyone confirm that
these are noncorrosive? My .303 is a beautiful No.4 Mk1 (T) and I don't plan
on feeding it anything damaging.

Robin

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Duane Walker

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Sep 14, 2001, 7:18:39 AM9/14/01

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I was in the SADF around that time and none of our R1 rifles had rusted out
bores or needed any special cleaning methods so I must assume your ammo is
non corrosive.
However PMP sent out a warning last year some time about some lots of
Military surplus ammo having problems cant remember exactly what the
problems were but be careful.

Duane

RobinderBhatty

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Sep 14, 2001, 10:09:00 AM9/14/01

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Duane:

I'd like to look into that warning you mention further before I try this stuff.
Who is PMP? If it's a company, can you tell me where they're based?

Was the SADF using Lee-Enfields in the 1980s? I have to admit I'm a little
surprised. The R1 was an FN FAL variant, if memory serves.

Thanks again.

RSB

Wyatt Earp

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Sep 15, 2001, 10:06:22 AM9/15/01

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# Who is PMP?

Pretoria Metal Pressings. A South African munitions company. They
now make sporting cartidges for the commercial shooting market
post-apartheid.

# If it's a company, can you tell me where they're based?

Pretoria, South Africa.

# Was the SADF using Lee-Enfields in the 1980s?

Well, they certainly had some in the inventory. As to whether or not
they were still being used, unknown. But, I bet they were. It's a
great rifle.

s.maloney

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Sep 15, 2001, 6:49:15 PM9/15/01

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.303 British rifle cartridges; South African surplus, 1980. Berdan primed,
#

I've used South African manufactured .303 ammo way older than 1980 which is
non-corrosive, so your gun shop owner is almost certainly correct.
If you want to be sure contact the manufacturer, who is probably PMP
(Pretoria metal pressings), Denel or Somchem.
Hope this helps.
Steve Maloney
Durban. South Africa.

Larry Rapelje

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Sep 18, 2001, 9:50:58 AM9/18/01

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Robin,

This is the same 303 that AIM is selling (in boxes not the cases of
surplus they had). I just bought some from them and I believe they
told me that they were non-corrosive as well.

Larry

robinde...@cs.com (RobinderBhatty) wrote in message news:<9nqfra$q3r$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu>...
> ...

Pierre Erasmus

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Sep 19, 2001, 7:20:08 AM9/19/01

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The marks on the cartridges indicate that they are e millitary ammo.
All cartridges marked with R & M indicate millitary markings the being
our defence force markings and the m indicating the modification
numbers on the product. These cartridges are excellent for hunting
providing their tips have been replaced with soft-nose tips. They are
def. nocorrosive.

I have been useing these cartridges for years on culling Impala and
Warthog - rest assured they wount harm your rifle.

Pierre Erasmus
South Africa
Ultimate Adventures to Africa

On 13 Sep 2001 10:28:58 -0400, robinde...@cs.com (RobinderBhatty)
wrote:

> ...