The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 45/70 & 30-30 with BP

Jim Watson · June 12, 2012, 11:01 PM

I don't have the literature handy, but .303 went from compressed black to Cordite very early on, late 1880s, maybe. It was erosive so they went from Metford to Enfield rifling and to Cordite MD (MoDified or maybe ModifieD) with more nitrocellulose and less nitroglycerine.
The Mk VII spitzer bullet replaced various roundnose and Dervish Stomping hollowpoints before WW I and stayed in use as long as the .303 was on issue, along with AP and some boattail types.
They used Cordite MD for a long long time, too. You will see ammunition with a Z in the headstamp or box label indicating straight nitrocellulose powder, too.

June 12, 2012, 11:01 PM	#25
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	I don't have the literature handy, but .303 went from compressed black to Cordite very early on, late 1880s, maybe. It was erosive so they went from Metford to Enfield rifling and to Cordite MD (MoDified or maybe ModifieD) with more nitrocellulose and less nitroglycerine. The Mk VII spitzer bullet replaced various roundnose and Dervish Stomping hollowpoints before WW I and stayed in use as long as the .303 was on issue, along with AP and some boattail types. They used Cordite MD for a long long time, too. You will see ammunition with a Z in the headstamp or box label indicating straight nitrocellulose powder, too.