.303 Streamline
Hi all,
These rounds were first "officially" introduced for the Match Rifle competitions (i.e., at 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 yards) in 1933, before that date the .303" Magnum round was used. The bullet in the 1932 Magnum cartridge was tried in the "ordinary" .303 case, and as the ballistics were found to be satisfactory, the "Magnum" case was dropped from production.
The 1933 rounds had the headstamp "K33 S.L.", and came in 10-rd packets with a cream label. The headstamp layout was similar for 1934 and 1935 (obviously with the correct date), then in 1936 it changed to "K36 303S.L." and similar layout for 1937, '38, & '39. From about 1935 the packets were 20-rds (2 rows of 10) with a yellow label.
The rounds were not produced during the war years, but production re-started in 1946, and carried on to the early 1960s, when the Match Rifle shooters converted to 7.62 Nato.
The load in 1936 was 36 grains of Cordite; I do not imagine it would have changed all that much over the years.
The bullet design did change slightly; the post-war bullet was not exactly the same as the 1933 version, but I cannot recall what the exaxt differences were.
This Streamline round always had the case blackened for about half-an-inch.
Roger.
