|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 16, 2013, 05:52 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,347
|
What rifle cartridge is this???
Hey everyone. I have a habit of collecting brass cases, and military headstamps that I find here and there, at the range, etc.
I picked up a couple cases last weekend that I thought were military .308, but they are not. After some research, and flipping through my reloading manual, I cannot figure out what this cartridge is. Details: Longer than .308 case, about 55mm, but shorter than a .30-06. Cannot really tell what the bullet diameter was, as the neck is dinged as if fired from a semi-auto rifle. It is rimless, non-belted. SHoulder angle is not far out of line with most standard 308/.30-06 cartridge styles. The primer pocket is crimped, or pinned, which tells me it is a military cartridge, as well as the headstamp. The case body is thicker than a .308/.30-06 case, but it is narrower than a WSM style case. THe headstamp is quite unique. At 9 oclock is a "D", 3 oclock an "A", a numberal "5" at 12 oclock, and a year stamp of "79" at 6 oclock. If read clockwise, it would read D-5-A-79, but could more logically be "DA, 5-79" as in month/year. The only cartridge I can think of, is 7X57 Mauser, but this is a guess. See pics below...Anyone know? Between a .308 and .30-06: Length view: Close up: Headstamp"
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. |
February 16, 2013, 06:03 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 27, 2012
Posts: 397
|
6.5X55 Swedish?
The case looks slightly bulged but the Swede case is normally a hair larger at the base than a 30-06 or comparable Mauser case. Maybe 7.5X54 French? There more 7.5 French MAS autoloaders out there than the 6.5 Lungman autoloaders, but both rounds have been used with autoloaders. PS Theres the 7.5X55 Swiss, and while not commonly available there are Swiss semi auto rifles in that chambering. Last edited by Rainbow Demon; February 16, 2013 at 06:10 PM. |
February 16, 2013, 06:33 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,347
|
Rainbow,
Definitely not a 6.5. Neck is far too large. Of the ones you mentioned, seems to resemble 7.5 swiss the most, but at this point I can't rule out 7.5 MAS
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. |
February 16, 2013, 08:06 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,535
|
7.65x54 Belgian/Turkish/Argentine?
Compare vs other 54-55 mm cases. |
February 16, 2013, 10:21 PM | #5 |
Member In Memoriam
Join Date: March 17, 1999
Posts: 24,383
|
DA could be Dominion Arms of Canada, but that base looks quite a bit larger than .308, so 8x57 and 7x57 are out, and even 7.5 French, 7.5 Swiss, 7.7 Jap and 6.5x55 are not as big as the case looks.
If golfnutrlv doesn't have a micrometer or a caliper maybe he could find a gun shop that has one and get some accurate measurements. Jim |
February 17, 2013, 12:23 AM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: October 9, 2009
Posts: 19
|
The headstamp looks like those on the gp11 surplus swiss that my k31 fires.This ammo is very accurate in my rifle.
|
February 17, 2013, 12:34 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,347
|
Hey all, Thanks for the info.
Here are some measurements: Overall case length: 2.179 inches The neck is .336 inches Case body .479 at the midpoint The base is .494 inches, below the extractor groove. If you need other measurements, let me know.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. |
February 17, 2013, 07:52 AM | #8 |
Staff
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,380
|
7.5 Swiss.
No doubt about it, given the headstamp. A stands for the Swiss arsenal at Altdorf, D stands for Dornach (apparently the brass supplier), 5 is May, and 79 is 1979.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
February 17, 2013, 11:57 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,347
|
Thank Mike and everyone else! A new cartridge for my collection!
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. |
|
|