Ammo ?

michianaman · September 5, 2012, 02:16 PM

I don't know if I'm in the right area (new guy).
I recently came across some old ammo in a bandolier.Was wondering if anyone knew what I have.

Thanks..

Stressfire · September 5, 2012, 02:45 PM

Do you have any way of measuring the diameter of the bullet itself? Caliper or something?

Looks like a 45-70 to me but without dimensions, kinda tough to tell for sure on a computer screen

**Brian Pfleuger** · September 5, 2012, 02:58 PM

Looks like 30/40 Krag

mete · September 5, 2012, 03:06 PM

NOT a 45-70 which has a straight case !
I would say also a 30-40 Krag.

sgms · September 5, 2012, 03:53 PM

Agree .30-40 ID head stamp indicated made by Remington Arms in 1917.

michianaman · September 5, 2012, 04:57 PM

Thanks for all your help..greatly appreciated.
Jeffery

SouthernMarine · September 5, 2012, 07:43 PM

Hey, I found this thread a while back http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=407966

In the bottom it states:

Quote:

Quote from History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition:

"During the World War I period, the U.S. Navy let at least two contracts for paper bullet blank cartridges to be used in training. One of these in April, 1917, was to Winchester for 1.5 million rounds. These were loaded with tinned cases and white paper bullet. Typical headstamp is W.R.A. CO. 5 17. The other is a Remington contract which was made with a tinned brass case, whitish or yellow paper bullet and R A 17 or 18 headstamp ... 200,000 were delivered."

Obviously it's not a paper bullet, but maybe it could give you some guidance.

**44 AMP** · September 6, 2012, 01:29 AM

RA 17 should be Rock Island Arsenal, 1917 mfg. .30-40 Krag (.30 US, .30 US Govt, .30 USA). Don't know about the "R" stamp on the primer.

US service rifle cartridge from 1892 to 1903, replaced by the .30-03 Springfield, which was replaced in 1906 with the .30-06.

Apparently military arsenals produced some Krag ammo at least through WW I, if I am right and it is Rock Island. I've seen and shot old Remington ammo, marked .30 USA (commercial ammo), and with that headstamp, its not Remington commerical ammo.

September 5, 2012, 02:45 PM	#2
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Do you have any way of measuring the diameter of the bullet itself? Caliper or something? Looks like a 45-70 to me but without dimensions, kinda tough to tell for sure on a computer screen __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

September 5, 2012, 02:58 PM	#3
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,454	Looks like 30/40 Krag __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

September 5, 2012, 03:06 PM	#4
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 4,936	NOT a 45-70 which has a straight case ! I would say also a 30-40 Krag. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

September 6, 2012, 01:29 AM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 8,965	RA 17 should be Rock Island Arsenal, 1917 mfg. .30-40 Krag (.30 US, .30 US Govt, .30 USA). Don't know about the "R" stamp on the primer. US service rifle cartridge from 1892 to 1903, replaced by the .30-03 Springfield, which was replaced in 1906 with the .30-06. Apparently military arsenals produced some Krag ammo at least through WW I, if I am right and it is Rock Island. I've seen and shot old Remington ammo, marked .30 USA (commercial ammo), and with that headstamp, its not Remington commerical ammo. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 5, 2012, 03:53 PM	#5
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 648	Agree .30-40 ID head stamp indicated made by Remington Arms in 1917.

September 5, 2012, 04:57 PM	#6
michianaman Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2012 Location: Northern IN Posts: 9	Thanks for all your help..greatly appreciated. Jeffery