odd cartridge found in bush

Mungo

Well-Known Member
Hi folks,

I'd be grateful on any opinions on this...

I've just got back from doing field work in the Kalahari, and picked up a very old cartridge lying in the bush.

Looks very much like a standard .303 British - more or less same proportions (base diameter, shoulder angle etc). But it's about 5mm shorter, and the rim is a little wider. I've cleaned it off as best I can, but can't really make out anything on the base (possibly a faded '85').

Any ideas what it is?

I'll try to get a photo - though without a comparison, it would look very much like a .303
 
Thanks for that.

Is there anywhere on line with a pictoral comparison of cartridges?

I've also picked up one that is shorter (by about 5mm) and fatter at the neck (by about 0.5mm) than a .222, but looks too elongated to be a pistol round. It just has '55' and ^ on the base. Looks much newer.
 
Without photos it's difficult to get an idea of the case shape. There are many and were many more rimmed or flanged cartridges. I wonder if it might be one of the French ones.
 
If you go on the Henry Krank web site, they have actual size diagrams of obselete cartridges (or used to) if I remember right.
you may be able to identify them from there!
sinbad
 
The thing that springs to my mind as looking a bit like a .303, but not being one, is the Russian 'three line' or 7.62x54R - although the shoulder-angle is not really similar to .303Brit.

Having looked in a book, .30-30?
 
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If you go on the Henry Krank web site, they have actual size diagrams of obselete cartridges (or used to) if I remember right.
you may be able to identify them from there!
sinbad

Never noticed it on the website, but it is in their catalogue.

Neil. :)
 
you may well be right neil, Im going to have alook now though.
paul/sinbad

You are right Neil, just checked and they havent got them on the website:doh:.
Sorry mungo, unless you have their catalogue mate.
sinbad
 
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you may well be right neil, Im going to have alook now though.
paul/sinbad

You are right Neil, just checked and they havent got them on the website:doh:.
Sorry mungo, unless you have their catalogue mate.
sinbad

I have the catalogue, there is plenty that resemble the basic .303 british.
I actually sat there with the pics, which are full size and scale, with a .303 fired case in the other hand, nothing, sorry.

Neil. :)
 
8x50mm R Lebel ? Think the bullet would have 8.3mm
I recon the French Legion used them.
edi
 
What your not allowing for is the spread of cheap and often in very poor condition firearms through out Africa for poaching.

There were quite a few Model 1895 Mannlichers in parts of Africa and some of those may well have been in the original chambering of 8x50R. BSA also made commercial rifles in a similar chambering which they called the .315 Bore.This chambering is still in use in India BTW in new production Enfield based sporting rifles.

Once again without a decent photo of the cartridge it's all guess work.
 
Having traveled to Africa on several occasions (thanks to Mrs Windsors specialist travel club......The Army) I think your best bet (again difficult without pictures) is a common rifle caliber. 7.62x54R is ten a penny in the African continent thanks to its use in the various Soviet Bloc weapons (Dragunov SVD, PKM, Mosin-Nagant and many others). Wouldnt be suprised if thats your badger!!


ATB

Deano
 
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